Sample records for n-terminal double beta-propeller

  1. Beta-propeller crystal structure of Psathyrella velutina lectin: an integrin-like fungal protein interacting with monosaccharides and calcium.

    PubMed

    Cioci, Gianluca; Mitchell, Edward P; Chazalet, Valerie; Debray, Henri; Oscarson, Stefan; Lahmann, Martina; Gautier, Catherine; Breton, Christelle; Perez, Serge; Imberty, Anne

    2006-04-14

    The lectin from the mushroom Psathyrella velutina recognises specifically N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid containing glycans. The crystal structure of the 401 amino acid residue lectin shows that it adopts a very regular seven-bladed beta-propeller fold with the N-terminal region tucked into the central cavity around the pseudo 7-fold axis. In the complex with N-acetylglucosamine, six monosaccharides are bound in pockets located between two consecutive propeller blades. Due to the repeats shown by the sequence the binding sites are very similar. Five hydrogen bonds between the protein and the sugar hydroxyl and N-acetyl groups stabilize the complex, together with the hydrophobic interactions with a conserved tyrosine and histidine. The complex with N-acetylneuraminic acid shows molecular mimicry with the same hydrogen bond network, but with different orientations of the carbohydrate ring in the binding site. The beta-hairpin loops connecting the two inner beta-strands of each blade are metal binding sites and two to three calcium ions were located in the structure. The multispecificity and high multivalency of this mushroom lectin, combined with its similarity to the extracellular domain of an important class of cell adhesion molecules, integrins, are another example of the outstanding success of beta-propeller structures as molecular binding machines in nature.

  2. Beta-propellers: associated functions and their role in human diseases.

    PubMed

    Pons, Tirso; Gómez, Raú; Chinea, Glay; Valencia, Alfonso

    2003-03-01

    The beta-propeller fold appears as a very fascinating architecture based on four-stranded antiparallel and twisted beta-sheets, radially arranged around a central tunnel. Similar to the alpha/beta-barrel (TIM-barrel) fold, the beta-propeller has a wide range of different functions, and is gaining substantial attention. Some proteins containing beta-propeller domains have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer, Huntington, arthritis, familial hypercholesterolemia, retinitis pigmentosa, osteogenesis, hypertension, and microbial and viral infections. This article reviews some aspects of 3D structure, amino acids sequence regularities, and biological functions of the proteins containing beta-propeller domains. Major emphasis has been laid on beta-propellers whose functions are associated to human diseases. Recent research efforts reported in the fields of protein engineering, drug design, and protein structure-function relationship studies, concerning the beta-propeller architecture, have also been discussed.

  3. Proteolytic interconversion and N-terminal sequences of the Citrobacter diversus major beta-lactamases.

    PubMed Central

    Franceschini, N; Amicosante, G; Perilli, M; Maccarrone, M; Oratore, A; van Beeumen, J; Frère, J M

    1991-01-01

    The N-terminal sequences of the two major beta-lactamases produced by Citrobacter diversus differed only by the absence of the first residue in form II and the loss of five amino acid residues at the C-terminal end. Limited proteolysis of the homogeneous form I protein yielded a variety of enzymatically active products. In the major product obtained after the action of papain, the first three N-terminal residues of form I had been cleaved, whereas at the C-terminal end the treated enzyme lacked five residues. However, this cannot explain the different behaviours of form I, form II and papain digestion product upon chromatofocusing. Form I, which was sequenced up to position 56, exhibited a very high degree of similarity with a Klebsiella oxytoca beta-lactamase. The determined sequence, which contained the active serine residue, demonstrated that the chromosome-encoded beta-lactamase of Citrobacter diversus belong to class A. Images Fig. 2. PMID:2039443

  4. Lead-Free Double-Base Propellant for the 2.75 Inch Rocket Motor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Magill, B. T.; Nauflett, G. W.; Furrow, K. W.

    2000-01-01

    The current MK 66 2.75 inch Rocket Motor double-base propellant contains the lead-based ballistic modifier LC-12-15 to achieve the desired plateau and mesa burning rate characteristics. The use of lead compounds poses a concern for the environment and for personal safety due to the metal's toxic nature when introduced into the atmosphere by propellant manufacture, rocket motor firing, and disposal. Copper beta-resorcylate (copper 2,4-di-hydroxy-benzoate) was successfully used in propellant as a simple modifier in the mid 1970's. This and other compounds have also been mixed with lead salts to obtain more beneficial ballistic results. Synthesized complexes of lead and copper compounds soon replaced the mixtures. The complexes incorporate the lead, copper lack of organic liquids, which allows for easier propellant processing. About ten years ago, the Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), initiated an effort to develop a lead-free propellant for use in missile systems. Several lead-free propellant candidate formulations were developed. About five years ago, NSWC, in conjunction with Alliant Techsystems, Radford Army Ammunition Plant, continued ballistic modifier investigations. A four component ballistic modifier system without lead for double-base propellants that provide adequate plateau and mesa burn rate characteristics was developed and patented. The ballistic modifier's system contains bismuth subsalicylate, 1.5 percent; copper salicylate, 1.0 percent, copper stannate, 0.77 percent; and carbon black, 0.1 percent. Action time and impulse data obtained through multiple static firings indicate that the new lead-free double-base propellant, while not a match for NOSIH-AA-2, will be a very suitable replacement in the 2.75 inch Rocket Motor. Accelerated aging of the double-base propellant containing the lead-free ballistic modifier showed that it had a much higher rate of stabilizer depletion than the AA-2. A comprehensive study showed that an

  5. Structural Characterization of the Boca/Mesd Maturation Factors for LDL-Receptor-Type beta Propeller Domains

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    M Collins; W Hendrickson

    2011-12-31

    Folding and trafficking of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family members, which play essential roles in development and homeostasis, are mediated by specific chaperones. The Boca/Mesd chaperone family specifically promotes folding and trafficking of the YWTD {beta} propeller-EGF domain pair found in the ectodomain of all LDLR members. Limited proteolysis, NMR spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, and X-ray crystallography were used to define a conserved core composed of a structured domain that is preceded by a disordered N-terminal region. High-resolution structures of the ordered domain were determined for homologous proteins from three metazoans. Seven independent protomers reveal a novel ferrodoxin-like superfamily fold withmore » two distinct {beta} sheet topologies. A conserved hydrophobic surface forms a dimer interface in each crystal, but these differ substantially at the atomic level, indicative of nonspecific hydrophobic interactions that may play a role in the chaperone activity of the Boca/Mesd family.« less

  6. C-Terminus of Progranulin Interacts with the Beta-Propeller Region of Sortilin to Regulate Progranulin Trafficking

    PubMed Central

    Meng, Peter S.; Mao, Yuxin; Hu, Fenghua

    2011-01-01

    Progranulin haplo-insufficiency is a main cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with TDP-43 aggregates. Previous studies have shown that sortilin regulates progranulin trafficking and is a main determinant of progranulin level in the brain. In this study, we mapped the binding site between progranulin and sortilin. Progranulin binds to the beta-propeller region of sortilin through its C-terminal tail. The C-terminal progranulin fragment is fully sufficient for sortilin binding and progranulin C-terminal peptide displaces progranulin binding to sortilin. Deletion of the last 3 residues of progranulin (QLL) abolishes its binding to sortilin and also sortilin dependent regulation of progranulin trafficking. Since progranulin haplo-insufficiency results in FTLD, these results may provide important insights into future studies of progranulin trafficking and signaling and progranulin based therapy for FTLD. PMID:21698296

  7. Double Charge Exchange Reactions and Double Beta Decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Auerbach, N.

    2018-05-01

    The subject of this presentation is at the forefront of nuclear physics, namely double beta decay. In particular one is most interested in the neutrinoless process of double beta decay, when the decay proceeds without the emission of two neutrinos. The observation of such decay would mean that the lepton conservation symmetry is violated and that the neutrinos are of Majorana type, meaning that they are their own anti-particles. The life time of this process has two unknowns, the mass of the neutrino and the nuclear matrix element. Determining the nuclear matrix element and knowing the cross-section well will set limits on the neutrino mass. There is a concentrated effort among the nuclear physics community to calculate this matrix element. Usually these matrix elements are a very small part of the total strength of the transition operators involved in the process. There is no simple way to “calibrate” the nuclear double beta decay matrix element. The double beta decay is a double charge exchange process, therefore it is proposed that double charge exchange reactions using ion projectiles on nuclei that are candidates for double beta decay, will provide additional necessary information about the nuclear matrix elements.

  8. Characterization of local polarity and hydrophobic binding sites of beta-lactoglobulin by using N-terminal specific fluorescence labeling.

    PubMed

    Dong, Su-Ying; Zhao, Zhen-Wen; Ma, Hui-Min

    2006-01-01

    Because of wide ligand-binding ability and significant industrial interest of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG), its binding properties have been extensively studied. However, there still exists a controversy as to where a ligand binds, since at least two potential hydrophobic binding sites in beta-LG have been postulated for ligand binding: an internal one (calyx) and an external one (near the N-terminus). In this work, the local polarity and hydrophobic binding sites of beta-LG have been characterized by using N-terminal specific fluorescence labeling combined with a polarity-sensitive fluorescent probe 3-(4-chloro-6-hydrazino- 1,3,5-triazinylamino)-7-(dimethylamino)-2-methylphenazine (CHTDP). The polarity within the calyx is found to be extremely low, which is explained in terms of superhydrophobicity possibly resulting from its nanostructure, and the polarity is increased with the destruction of the calyx by heat treatment. However, the polarity of the N-terminal domain in native beta-LG is decreased after thermal denaturation. This polarity trend toward decreasing instead of increasing shows that beta-LG may have no definite external hydrophobic binding site. The hydrophobic binding of a ligand such as CHTDP at the surface of the protein is probably achieved via appropriate assembling of corresponding hydrophobic residues rather than via a fixed external hydrophobic binding site. Also, the ligand-binding location in beta-LG is found to be relevant to not only experimental conditions (pH < or = 6.2 or pH > 7.1) but also binding mechanisms (hydrophobic affinity or electrostatic interaction).

  9. Hsp90 N- and C-terminal double inhibition synergistically suppresses Bcr-Abl-positive human leukemia cells

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Xianling; Chen, Xiaole; Li, Ding; Fan, Yingjuan; Xu, Jianhua; Chen, Yuanzhong; Wu, Lixian

    2017-01-01

    Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) contains amino (N)–terminal domain, carboxyl(C)-terminal domain, and middle domains, which activate Hsp90 chaperone function cooperatively in tumor cells. One terminal occupancy might influence another terminal binding with inhibitor. The Bcr-Abl kinase is one of the Hsp90 clients implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Present studies demonstrate that double inhibition of the N- and C-terminal termini can disrupt Hsp90 chaperone function synergistically, but not antagonistically, in Bcr-Abl-positive human leukemia cells. Furthermore, both the N-terminal inhibitor 17-AAG and the C-terminal inhibitor cisplatin (CP) have the capacity to suppress progenitor cells; however, only CP is able to inhibit leukemia stem cells (LSCs) significantly, which implies that the combinational treatment is able to suppress human leukemia in different mature states. PMID:28036294

  10. Cartilage acidic protein 1, a new member of the beta-propeller protein family with amyloid propensity.

    PubMed

    Anjos, Liliana; Morgado, Isabel; Guerreiro, Marta; Cardoso, João C R; Melo, Eduardo P; Power, Deborah M

    2017-02-01

    Cartilage acidic protein1 (CRTAC1) is an extracellular matrix protein of chondrogenic tissue in humans and its presence in bacteria indicate it is of ancient origin. Structural modeling of piscine CRTAC1 reveals it belongs to the large family of beta-propeller proteins that in mammals have been associated with diseases, including amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer's. In order to characterize the structure/function evolution of this new member of the beta-propeller family we exploited the unique characteristics of piscine duplicate genes Crtac1a and Crtac1b and compared their structural and biochemical modifications with human recombinant CRTAC1. We demonstrate that CRTAC1 has a beta-propeller structure that has been conserved during evolution and easily forms high molecular weight thermo-stable aggregates. We reveal for the first time the propensity of CRTAC1 to form amyloid-like structures, and hypothesize that the aggregating property of CRTAC1 may be related to its disease-association. We further contribute to the general understating of CRTAC1's and beta-propeller family evolution and function. Proteins 2017; 85:242-255. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. The NEXT-A (N-terminal EXtension with Transferase and ARS) reaction.

    PubMed

    Taki, Masumi; Kuroiwa, Hiroyuki; Sisido, Masahiko

    2009-01-01

    L/F-transferase is known to catalyze transfer of hydrophobic amino acids from aminoacyl tRNA to the N-terminus of a protein possessing lysine or arginine as the N-terminus. Combining L/F-transferase with E. coli phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS), we achieved non-ribosomal N-terminal-specific introduction of various kinds of nonnatural amino acids to a protein. A nonnatural amino acid is once charged onto an E. coli tRNA(Phe) by a mutant ARS in situ, and successively transferred from the tRNA to a target protein, namely the NEXT-A reaction. Besides alphaA294G mutation on the ARS, alphaT251A, betaG318W, or betaA356W double-mutation were effective to increase the introduction efficiency through the NEXT-A reaction. Protein specific fluorescence labelling via the NEXT-A reaction followed by Huisgen cycloaddition was also demonstrated.

  12. A Skeletal, Gas Phase, Finite Rate, Chemical Kinetics Mechanism for Modeling the Deflagration of Ammonium Perchlorate - Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene Composite Propellants

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-04-01

    the Deflagration of Ammonium Perchlorate— Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene Composite Propellants by Chiung-Chu Chen and Michael McQuaid...for Modeling the Deflagration of Ammonium Perchlorate— Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene Composite Propellants by Chiung-Chu Chen and Michael...Ammonium Perchlorate—Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene Composite Propellants 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6

  13. Double Beta Decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shirai, Junpei

    Double beta decay is a key process to reveal a fundamental property of neutrinos. If neutrinos are Majorana particles, that is they are equivalent to their antiparticles, neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay, (A,Z) → (A,Z + 2) + 2e‑, would occur. The process is beyond the standard model and would lead to a scenario which can explain the extremely small masses of neutrinos and provide a solution to the current matter dominance of the world. In this talk experimental efforts searching for 0νββ decays are presented. Then, major 0νββ experiments together with searches using 136Xe nuclei are described, followed by the current status of the KamLAND-Zen experiment.

  14. Review of modern double beta decay experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barabash, A. S.

    2015-10-01

    The review of modern experiments on search and studying of double beta decay processes is done. Results of the most sensitive current experiments are discussed. The main attention is paid to EXO-200, KamLAND-Zen, GERDA-I and CUORE-0 experiments. Modern values of T1/2(2ν) and best present limits on neutrinoless double beta decay and double beta decay with Majoron emission are presented. Conservative limits on effective mass of a Majorana neutrino ( < 0.46 eV) and a coupling constant of Majoron to neutrino ( < 1.3 . 10-5) are obtained. Prospects of search for neutrinoless double beta decay in new experiments with sensitivity to at the level of ˜ 0.01-0.1 eV are discussed.

  15. On the combustion mechanisms of ZrH2 in double-base propellant.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yanjing; Zhao, Fengqi; Yuan, Zhifeng; Wang, Ying; An, Ting; Chen, Xueli; Xuan, Chunlei; Zhang, Jiankan

    2017-12-13

    Metal hydrides are regarded as a series of promising hydrogen-supplying fuel for solid rocket propellants. Their effects on the energetic and combustion performances of propellants are closely related to their reaction mechanisms. Here we report a first attempt to determine the reaction mechanism of ZrH 2 , a high-density metal hydride, in the combustion of a double-base propellant to evaluate its potential as a fuel. ZrH 2 is determined to possess good resistance to oxidation by nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine. Thus its combustion starts with dehydrogenation to generate H 2 and metallic Zr. Subsequently, the newly formed Zr and H 2 participate in the combustion and, especially, Zr melts and then combusts on the burning surface which favors the heat feedback to the propellant. This phenomenon is completely different from the combustion behavior of the traditional fuel Al, where the Al particles are ejected off the burning surface of the propellant to get into the luminous flame zone to burn. The findings in this work validate the potential of ZrH 2 as a hydrogen-supplying fuel for double-base propellants.

  16. Double beta decays of {sup 106}Cd

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Suhonen, Jouni

    2011-12-16

    The two-neutrino (2{nu}2{beta}) and neutrinoless (0{nu}2{beta}) double beta decays of {sup 106}Cd are studied for the transitions to the ground state 0{sub gs}{sup +} and 0{sup +} and 2{sup +} excited states in {sup 106}Pd by using realistic many-body wave functions calculated in the framework of the quasiparticle random-phase approximation. Effective, G-matrix-derived nuclear forces are used in realistic single-particle model spaces. All the possible channels, {beta}{sup +}{beta}{sup +}, {beta}{sup +}EC, and ECEC, are discussed for both the 2{nu}2{beta} and 0{nu}2{beta} decays. The associated half-lives are computed and particular attention is devoted to the study of the detectability of the resonantmore » neutrinoless double electron capture (R0{nu}ECEC) process in {sup 106}Cd. The calculations of the present article constitute the thus far most complete and up-to-date investigation of the double-beta-decay properties of {sup 106}Cd.« less

  17. Review of modern double beta decay experiments

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Barabash, A. S., E-mail: barabash@itep.ru

    2015-10-28

    The review of modern experiments on search and studying of double beta decay processes is done. Results of the most sensitive current experiments are discussed. The main attention is paid to EXO-200, KamLAND-Zen, GERDA-I and CUORE-0 experiments. Modern values of T{sub 1/2}(2ν) and best present limits on neutrinoless double beta decay and double beta decay with Majoron emission are presented. Conservative limits on effective mass of a Majorana neutrino (〈m{sub ν}〉 < 0.46 eV) and a coupling constant of Majoron to neutrino (〈g{sub ee}〉 < 1.3 · 10{sup −5}) are obtained. Prospects of search for neutrinoless double beta decay inmore » new experiments with sensitivity to 〈m{sub ν}〉 at the level of ∼ 0.01-0.1 eV are discussed.« less

  18. Structure of the EMMPRIN N-terminal domain 1: Dimerization via [beta]-strand swapping

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Luo, Jinquan; Teplyakov, Alexey; Obmolova, Galina

    2010-09-27

    Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), also known as Hab18G, CD147, Basigin, M6, and neurothelin, is a membrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of various cell types and many cancer cells. EMMPRIN stimulates adjacent fibroblasts and tumor cells to produce matrix metalloproteinases and plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, spermatogensis and fertilization, cell-cell adhesion and communication, and other biological processes (reviewed in Ref. 1 and references therein). It was demonstrated that the EMMPRIN extracellular domain (ECD), which structurally belongs to the IgG superfamily, can form homo-oligomers in a cis dependent manner and the N-terminal domain 1 (residuesmore » 22-101) was necessary and sufficient to mediate this interaction. The crystal structure of the ECD of recombinant human EMMPRIN (Hab18G/CD147) expressed in E. coli was reported at 2.8 {angstrom} resolution (Yu et al. 2008). The construct consists of residues 22-205 of the mature protein and has both an N-terminal IgC2 domain (ND1, residues 22-101) and a C-terminal IgC2 domain (ND2, residues 107-205). The two domains are joined by a five amino acid residue linker that constitutes a flexible hinge between the two domains. The crystal form has four copies of the molecule in the asymmetric unit, each of which has a different inter-domain angle that varies from 121{sup o} to 144{sup o}. The two domains each have a conserved disulfide bridge and both are comprised of two {beta}-sheets formed by strands EBA and GFCC, and DEBA and AGFCC for ND1 and ND2, respectively. Based on the crystal packing in this structure, the authors proposed that lateral packing between the two IgG domains of EMMPRIN ECD represents a potential mechanism for cell adhesion. Here we report the 2.0-{angstrom} crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of EMMPRIN ECD (ND1) expressed in mammalian cells. The overall structure of the domain is very similar to that in the full

  19. Crystal Structure of Full-length Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv Glycogen Branching Enzyme; Insights of N-Terminal [beta]-Sandwich in Sustrate Specifity and Enzymatic Activity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pal, Kuntal; Kumar, Shiva; Sharma, Shikha

    2010-07-13

    The open reading frame Rv1326c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv encodes for an {alpha}-1,4-glucan branching enzyme (MtbGlgB, EC 2.4.1.18, Uniprot entry Q10625). This enzyme belongs to glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 13 and catalyzes the branching of a linear glucose chain during glycogenesis by cleaving a 1 {yields} 4 bond and making a new 1 {yields} 6 bond. Here, we show the crystal structure of full-length MtbGlgB (MtbGlgBWT) at 2.33-{angstrom} resolution. MtbGlgBWT contains four domains: N1 {beta}-sandwich, N2 {beta}-sandwich, a central ({beta}/{alpha}){sub 8} domain that houses the catalytic site, and a C-terminal {beta}-sandwich. We have assayed the amylase activity with amylosemore » and starch as substrates and the glycogen branching activity using amylose as a substrate for MtbGlgBWT and the N1 domain-deleted (the first 108 residues deleted) Mtb{Delta}108GlgB protein. The N1 {beta}-sandwich, which is formed by the first 105 amino acids and superimposes well with the N2 {beta}-sandwich, is shown to have an influence in substrate binding in the amylase assay. Also, we have checked and shown that several GH13 family inhibitors are ineffective against MtbGlgBWT and Mtb{Delta}108GlgB. We propose a two-step reaction mechanism, for the amylase activity (1 {yields} 4 bond breakage) and isomerization (1 {yields} 6 bond formation), which occurs in the same catalytic pocket. The structural and functional properties of MtbGlgB and Mtb{Delta}108GlgB are compared with those of the N-terminal 112-amino acid-deleted Escherichia coli GlgB (EC{Delta}112GlgB).« less

  20. Crystal structure of full-length Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv glycogen branching enzyme: insights of N-terminal beta-sandwich in substrate specificity and enzymatic activity.

    PubMed

    Pal, Kuntal; Kumar, Shiva; Sharma, Shikha; Garg, Saurabh Kumar; Alam, Mohammad Suhail; Xu, H Eric; Agrawal, Pushpa; Swaminathan, Kunchithapadam

    2010-07-02

    The open reading frame Rv1326c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv encodes for an alpha-1,4-glucan branching enzyme (MtbGlgB, EC 2.4.1.18, Uniprot entry Q10625). This enzyme belongs to glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 13 and catalyzes the branching of a linear glucose chain during glycogenesis by cleaving a 1-->4 bond and making a new 1-->6 bond. Here, we show the crystal structure of full-length MtbGlgB (MtbGlgBWT) at 2.33-A resolution. MtbGlgBWT contains four domains: N1 beta-sandwich, N2 beta-sandwich, a central (beta/alpha)(8) domain that houses the catalytic site, and a C-terminal beta-sandwich. We have assayed the amylase activity with amylose and starch as substrates and the glycogen branching activity using amylose as a substrate for MtbGlgBWT and the N1 domain-deleted (the first 108 residues deleted) MtbDelta108GlgB protein. The N1 beta-sandwich, which is formed by the first 105 amino acids and superimposes well with the N2 beta-sandwich, is shown to have an influence in substrate binding in the amylase assay. Also, we have checked and shown that several GH13 family inhibitors are ineffective against MtbGlgBWT and MtbDelta108GlgB. We propose a two-step reaction mechanism, for the amylase activity (1-->4 bond breakage) and isomerization (1-->6 bond formation), which occurs in the same catalytic pocket. The structural and functional properties of MtbGlgB and MtbDelta108GlgB are compared with those of the N-terminal 112-amino acid-deleted Escherichia coli GlgB (ECDelta112GlgB).

  1. The Carboxy-Terminal Domain of Erb1 Is a Seven-Bladed ß-Propeller that Binds RNA

    PubMed Central

    Marcin, Wegrecki; Neira, Jose Luis; Bravo, Jeronimo

    2015-01-01

    Erb1 (Eukaryotic Ribosome Biogenesis 1) protein is essential for the maturation of the ribosomal 60S subunit. Functional studies in yeast and mammalian cells showed that altogether with Nop7 and Ytm1 it forms a stable subcomplex called PeBoW that is crucial for a correct rRNA processing. The exact function of the protein within the process remains unknown. The N-terminal region of the protein includes a well conserved region shown to be involved in PeBoW complex formation whereas the carboxy-terminal half was predicted to contain seven WD40 repeats. This first structural report on Erb1 from yeast describes the architecture of a seven-bladed β-propeller domain that revealed a characteristic extra motif formed by two α-helices and a β-strand that insert within the second WD repeat. We performed analysis of molecular surface and crystal packing, together with multiple sequence alignment and comparison of the structure with other β-propellers, in order to identify areas that are more likely to mediate protein-protein interactions. The abundance of many positively charged residues on the surface of the domain led us to investigate whether the propeller of Erb1 might be involved in RNA binding. Three independent assays confirmed that the protein interacted in vitro with polyuridilic acid (polyU), thus suggesting a possible role of the domain in rRNA rearrangement during ribosome biogenesis. PMID:25880847

  2. Adenovirus fibre shaft sequences fold into the native triple beta-spiral fold when N-terminally fused to the bacteriophage T4 fibritin foldon trimerisation motif.

    PubMed

    Papanikolopoulou, Katerina; Teixeira, Susana; Belrhali, Hassan; Forsyth, V Trevor; Mitraki, Anna; van Raaij, Mark J

    2004-09-03

    Adenovirus fibres are trimeric proteins that consist of a globular C-terminal domain, a central fibrous shaft and an N-terminal part that attaches to the viral capsid. In the presence of the globular C-terminal domain, which is necessary for correct trimerisation, the shaft segment adopts a triple beta-spiral conformation. We have replaced the head of the fibre by the trimerisation domain of the bacteriophage T4 fibritin, the foldon. Two different fusion constructs were made and crystallised, one with an eight amino acid residue linker and one with a linker of only two residues. X-ray crystallographic studies of both fusion proteins shows that residues 319-391 of the adenovirus type 2 fibre shaft fold into a triple beta-spiral fold indistinguishable from the native structure, although this is now resolved at a higher resolution of 1.9 A. The foldon residues 458-483 also adopt their natural structure. The intervening linkers are not well ordered in the crystal structures. This work shows that the shaft sequences retain their capacity to fold into their native beta-spiral fibrous fold when fused to a foreign C-terminal trimerisation motif. It provides a structural basis to artificially trimerise longer adenovirus shaft segments and segments from other trimeric beta-structured fibre proteins. Such artificial fibrous constructs, amenable to crystallisation and solution studies, can offer tractable model systems for the study of beta-fibrous structure. They can also prove useful for gene therapy and fibre engineering applications.

  3. Mutational analysis of a predicted double β-propeller domain of the DspA/E effector of Erwinia amylovora.

    PubMed

    Siamer, Sabrina; Gaubert, Stéphane; Boureau, Tristan; Brisset, Marie-Noëlle; Barny, Marie-Anne

    2013-05-01

    The bacterium Erwinia amylovora causes fire blight, an invasive disease that threatens apple trees, pear trees and other plants of the Rosaceae family. Erwinia amylovora pathogenicity relies on a type III secretion system and on a single effector DspA/E. This effector belongs to the widespread AvrE family of effectors whose biological function is unknown. In this manuscript, we performed a bioinformatic analysis of DspA/E- and AvrE-related effectors. Motif search identified nuclear localization signals, peroxisome targeting signals, endoplasmic reticulum membrane retention signals and leucine zipper motifs, but none of these motifs were present in all the AvrE-related effectors analysed. Protein threading analysis, however, predicted a conserved double β-propeller domain in the N-terminal part of all the analysed effector sequences. We then performed a random pentapeptide mutagenesis of DspA/E, which led to the characterization of 13 new altered proteins with a five amino acids insertion. Eight harboured the insertion inside the predicted β-propeller domain and six of these eight insertions impaired DspA/E stability or function. Conversely, the two remaining insertions generated proteins that were functional and abundantly secreted in the supernatant suggesting that these two insertions stabilized the protein. © 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Measurements of the {sup 116}Cd(p,n) and {sup 116}Sn(n,p) reactions at 300 MeV for studying Gamow-Teller transition strengths in the intermediate nucleus of the {sup 116}Cd double-{beta} decay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sasano, M.; Kuboki, H.; Sekiguchi, K.

    2009-11-09

    The double differential cross sections for the {sup 116}Cd(p,n) and {sup 116}Sn(n,p) reactions at 300 MeV have been measured over a wide excitation-energy region including Gamow-Teller (GT) giant resonance (GTGR) for studying GT transition strengths in the intermediate nucleus of the {sup 116}Cd double-{beta} decay, namely {sup 116}In. A large amount of the strengths in the {beta}{sup +} direction has been newly found in the energy region up to 30 MeV, which may imply that the GT strengths in the GTGR region contribute to the nuclear matrix element of the two-neutrino double-{beta} decay.

  5. Negative feedback regulation of TGF-beta signaling by the SnoN oncoprotein.

    PubMed

    Stroschein, S L; Wang, W; Zhou, S; Zhou, Q; Luo, K

    1999-10-22

    Smad proteins mediate transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling to regulate cell growth and differentiation. The SnoN oncoprotein was found to interact with Smad2 and Smad4 and to repress their abilities to activate transcription through recruitment of the transcriptional corepressor N-CoR. Immediately after TGF-beta stimulation, SnoN is rapidly degraded by the nuclear accumulation of Smad3, allowing the activation of TGF-beta target genes. By 2 hours, TGF-beta induces a marked increase in SnoN expression, resulting in termination of Smad-mediated transactivation. Thus, SnoN maintains the repressed state of TGF-beta-responsive genes in the absence of ligand and participates in negative feedback regulation of TGF-beta signaling.

  6. Barium Tagging n Solid Xenon for nEXO Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walton, Tim; Chambers, Chris; Craycraft, Adam; Fairbank, William; nEXO Collaboration

    2015-04-01

    nEXO is a next-generation experiment designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of the isotope Xe136 in a liquid xenon time projection chamber. Positive observation of this decay would determine the nature of the neutrino to be a Majorana particle. Since the daughter of this decay is barium (Ba136), detecting the presence of Ba136 at a decay site (called ``barium tagging'') would provide strong rejection of backgrounds in the search for this decay. This would involve detecting a single barium ion from within a macroscopic volume of liquid xenon. This technique may be available for a second phase of the nEXO detector and sensitivity beyond the inverted hierarchy to neutrino oscillations. Several methods of barium tagging are being explored by the nEXO collaboration, but here we present a method of trapping the barium ion/atom (it may neutralize) in solid xenon (SXe) at the end of a cold probe, and then detecting the ion/atom by its fluorescence in the SXe. Our group at CSU has been studying the fluorescence of Ba in SXe by laser excitation, in order to ultimately detect a single Ba +/Ba in a SXe sample. We present studies of fluorescence signals, as well as recent results on imaging small numbers of Ba atoms in SXe, in a focused laser region. This work is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

  7. High beta-N experiments at JET

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Challis, Clive

    2007-11-01

    JET has investigated the performance potential and limitations of highly triangular plasmas relevant to fully non-inductive tokamak operation. The q-profile shape has been varied from cases with highly negative core magnetic shear to low shear with q0 close to 1, allowing the effect on confinement and stability to be studied. Operation with beta-N above the no-wall `limit' has been demonstrated for durations comparable with the resistive time and direct measurements of the no-wall beta have been developed as a tool for systematic performance optimization. Regimes have been developed with ITBs at reduced plasma current and toroidal field (1.2-1.5MA/2.3-2.7T) to obtain high values of beta-N and beta-P with either impurity seeding or quasi-double-null plasma configurations used to mitigate ELMs. The importance of the q-profile shape for performance optimization has been demonstrated in plasmas without ITBs (1.2MA/1.8T) with low values of minimum q (1-2) providing access to the highest beta-N (above 3).

  8. An experimental investigation of alternative propellants for the helicon double layer thruster

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Charles, C.; Boswell, R. W.; Laine, R.; MacLellan, P.

    2008-09-01

    Ion energy distribution functions are measured using a retarding field energy analyser located 7.5 cm downstream of a helicon double layer plasma source, respectively, operating with four molecular gases: nitrogen (N2), methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O). For radiofrequency powers of a few hundred watts, and a magnetic field diverging from about 0.013 T (130 G) in the source to about 0.001 T (10 G) in the exhaust, an ion beam is detected for each propellant over a very similar operating pressure range (~0.023 Pa (0.17 mTorr) to ~0.267 Pa (2 mTorr)), as a result of spontaneous electric double layer formation near the exit of the plasma source. The characteristics of the ion beam versus operating pressure closely follow those previously obtained in argon, xenon and hydrogen. The ion beam exhaust velocity in space is found to be in the 17-19 km s-1 range in N2, 21-27 km s-1 range in CH4 and NH3 and 14-16 km s-1 range in N2O.

  9. Three acidic residues are at the active site of a beta-propeller architecture in glycoside hydrolase families 32, 43, 62, and 68.

    PubMed

    Pons, Tirso; Naumoff, Daniil G; Martínez-Fleites, Carlos; Hernández, Lázaro

    2004-02-15

    Multiple-sequence alignment of glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 32, 43, 62, and 68 revealed three conserved blocks, each containing an acidic residue at an equivalent position in all the enzymes. A detailed analysis of the site-directed mutations so far performed on invertases (GH32), arabinanases (GH43), and bacterial fructosyltransferases (GH68) indicated a direct implication of the conserved residues Asp/Glu (block I), Asp (block II), and Glu (block III) in substrate binding and hydrolysis. These residues are close in space in the 5-bladed beta-propeller fold determined for Cellvibrio japonicus alpha-L-arabinanase Arb43A [Nurizzo et al., Nat Struct Biol 2002;9:665-668] and Bacillus subtilis endo-1,5-alpha-L-arabinanase. A sequence-structure compatibility search using 3D-PSSM, mGenTHREADER, INBGU, and SAM-T02 programs predicted indistinctly the 5-bladed beta-propeller fold of Arb43A and the 6-bladed beta-propeller fold of sialidase/neuraminidase (GH33, GH34, and GH83) as the most reliable topologies for GH families 32, 62, and 68. We conclude that the identified acidic residues are located at the active site of a beta-propeller architecture in GH32, GH43, GH62, and GH68, operating with a canonical reaction mechanism of either inversion (GH43 and likely GH62) or retention (GH32 and GH68) of the anomeric configuration. Also, we propose that the beta-propeller architecture accommodates distinct binding sites for the acceptor saccharide in glycosyl transfer reaction. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  10. Structural basis for substrate recognition by the human N-terminal methyltransferase 1

    DOE PAGES

    Dong, Cheng; Mao, Yunfei; Tempel, Wolfram; ...

    2015-11-05

    α-N-terminal methylation represents a highly conserved and prevalent post-translational modification, yet its biological function has remained largely speculative. The recent discovery of α-N-terminal methyltransferase 1 (NTMT1) and its physiological substrates propels the elucidation of a general role of α-N-terminal methylation in mediating DNA-binding ability of the modified proteins. The phenotypes, observed from both NTMT1 knockdown in breast cancer cell lines and knockout mouse models, suggest the potential involvement of α-N-terminal methylation in DNA damage response and cancer development. In this study, we report the first crystal structures of human NTMT1 in complex with cofactor S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) and six substrate peptides,more » respectively, and reveal that NTMT1 contains two characteristic structural elements (a β hairpin and an N-terminal extension) that contribute to its substrate specificity. Our complex structures, coupled with mutagenesis, binding, and enzymatic studies, also present the key elements involved in locking the consensus substrate motif XPK (X indicates any residue type other than D/E) into the catalytic pocket for α-N-terminal methylation and explain why NTMT1 prefers an XPK sequence motif. We propose a catalytic mechanism for α-N-terminal methylation. Overall, this study gives us the first glimpse of the molecular mechanism of α-N-terminal methylation and potentially contributes to the advent of therapeutic agents for human diseases associated with deregulated α-N-terminal methylation.« less

  11. Spectroscopic Studies of Double Beta Decays and MOON

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ejiri, H.; Nuclear Science, Czech Technical University, Brehova, Prague, Czech Republic, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, 263-8555

    2007-10-12

    This is a brief review of future spectroscopic experiments of neutrino-less double beta decays (0{nu}{beta}{beta}) and the MOON (Mo Observatory Of Neutrinos) project. Spectroscopic 0{nu}{beta}{beta} experiments of MOON, SuperNEMO and DCBA are planned to study Majorana masses in the quasi-degenerate (QD) and inverted mass hierarchy (IH) regions. MOON aims at 0{nu}{beta}{beta} studies with the {nu}-mass sensitivities of 100-30 meV by means of a super ensemble of multi-layer modules, each being consist of a scintillator plate, two tracking detector planes and a thin {beta}{beta} source film.

  12. Double Beta Decays and Neutrinos - Experiments and MOON

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ejiri, H.; National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, 263-8555

    2008-01-24

    This is a brief review of the present and future experiments of neutrino-less double beta decays (0{nu}{beta}{beta}) and the MOON (Mo Observatory Of Neutrinos) project. High sensitivity 0{nu}{beta}{beta} experiments are unique and realistic probes for studying the Majorana nature of neutrinos and the absolute mass scale as suggested by neutrino oscillation experiments. MOON aims at spectroscopic 0{nu}{beta}{beta} studies with the {nu}-mass sensitivity of 100-30 meV by means of a super ensemble of multilayer modules of scintillator plates and tracking detector planes.

  13. A segmented, enriched N-type germanium detector for neutrinoless double beta-decay experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leviner, L. E.; Aalseth, C. E.; Ahmed, M. W.; Avignone, F. T.; Back, H. O.; Barabash, A. S.; Boswell, M.; De Braeckeleer, L.; Brudanin, V. B.; Chan, Y.-D.; Egorov, V. G.; Elliott, S. R.; Gehman, V. M.; Hossbach, T. W.; Kephart, J. D.; Kidd, M. F.; Konovalov, S. I.; Lesko, K. T.; Li, Jingyi; Mei, D.-M.; Mikhailov, S.; Miley, H.; Radford, D. C.; Reeves, J.; Sandukovsky, V. G.; Umatov, V. I.; Underwood, T. A.; Tornow, W.; Wu, Y. K.; Young, A. R.

    2014-01-01

    We present data characterizing the performance of the first segmented, N-type Ge detector, isotopically enriched to 85% 76Ge. This detector, based on the Ortec PT6×2 design and referred to as SEGA (Segmented, Enriched Germanium Assembly), was developed as a possible prototype for neutrinoless double beta-decay measurements by the MAJORANA collaboration. We present some of the general characteristics (including bias potential, efficiency, leakage current, and integral cross-talk) for this detector in its temporary cryostat. We also present an analysis of the resolution of the detector, and demonstrate that for all but two segments there is at least one channel that reaches the MAJORANA resolution goal below 4 keV FWHM at 2039 keV, and all channels are below 4.5 keV FWHM.

  14. Engineering diverse changes in beta-turn propensities in the N-terminal beta-hairpin of ubiquitin reveals significant effects on stability and kinetics but a robust folding transition state.

    PubMed

    Simpson, Emma R; Meldrum, Jill K; Searle, Mark S

    2006-04-04

    Using the N-terminal 17-residue beta-hairpin of ubiquitin as a "host" for mutational studies, we have investigated the influence of the beta-turn sequence on protein stability and folding kinetics by replacing the native G-bulged turn (TLTGK) with more flexible analogues (TG3K and TG5K) and a series of four-residue type I' beta-turn sequences, commonly found in beta-hairpins. Although a statistical analysis of type I' turns demonstrates residue preferences at specific sites, the frequency of occurrence appears to only broadly correlate with experimentally determined protein stabilities. The subsequent engineering of context-dependent non-native tertiary contacts involving turn residues is shown to produce large changes in stability. Relatively few point mutations have been described that probe secondary structure formation in ubiquitin in a manner that is independent of tertiary contacts. To this end, we have used the more rigorous rate-equilibrium free energy relationship (Leffler analysis), rather than the two-point phi value analysis, to show for a family of engineered beta-turn mutants that stability (range of approximately 20 kJ/mol) and folding kinetics (190-fold variation in refolding rate) are linearly correlated (alpha(f) = 0.74 +/- 0.08). The data are consistent with a transition state that is robust with regard to a wide range of statistically favored and disfavored beta-turn mutations and implicate a loosely assembled beta-hairpin as a key template in transition state stabilization with the beta-turn playing a central role.

  15. A Case of Beta-propeller Protein-associated Neurodegeneration due to a Heterozygous Deletion of WDR45.

    PubMed

    Hermann, Andreas; Kitzler, Hagen H; Pollack, Tobias; Biskup, Saskia; Krüger, Stefanie; Funke, Claudia; Terrile, Caterina; Haack, Tobias B

    2017-01-01

    Static encephalopathy of childhood with neurodegeneration in adulthood is a phenotypically distinctive, X-linked dominant subtype of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). WDR45 mutations were recently identified as causal. WDR45 encodes a beta-propeller scaffold protein with a putative role in autophagy, and the disease has been renamed beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN). Here we describe a female patient suffering from a classical BPAN phenotype due to a novel heterozygous deletion of WDR45 . An initial gene panel and Sanger sequencing approach failed to uncover the molecular defect. Based on the typical clinical and neuroimaging phenotype, quantitative polymerase chain reaction of the WDR45 coding regions was undertaken, and this showed a reduction of the gene dosage by 50% compared with controls. An extended search for deletions should be performed in apparently WDR45- negative cases presenting with features of NBIA and should also be considered in young patients with predominant intellectual disabilities and hypertonia/parkinsonism/dystonia.

  16. Double-beta decay processes from lattice quantum chromodynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davoudi, Zohreh; Tiburzi, Brian; Wagman, Michael; Winter, Frank; Chang, Emmanuel; Detmold, William; Orginos, Kostas; Savage, Martin; Shanahan, Phiala; Nplqcd Collaboration

    2017-09-01

    While an observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay in upcoming experiments will establish that the neutrinos are Majorana particles, the underlying new physics responsible for this decay can only be constrained if the theoretical predictions of the rate are substantially refined. This talk demonstrates the roadmap in connecting the underlying high-scale theory to the corresponding nuclear matrix elements, focusing mainly on the nucleonic matrix elements in the simplest extension of Standard Model in which a light Majorana neutrino is mediating the process. The role of lattice QCD and effective field theory in this program, in particular, the prospect of a direct matching of the nn to pp amplitude to lattice QCD will be discussed. As a first step towards this goal, the results of the first lattice QCD calculation of the relevant matrix element for neutrinofull double-beta decay will be presented, albeit with unphysical quark masses, along with important lessons that could impact the calculations of nuclear matrix elements involved in double-beta decays of realistic nuclei.

  17. Neutrinoless double beta decay in type I+II seesaw models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Borah, Debasish; Dasgupta, Arnab

    2015-11-01

    We study neutrinoless double beta decay in left-right symmetric extension of the standard model with type I and type II seesaw origin of neutrino masses. Due to the enhanced gauge symmetry as well as extended scalar sector, there are several new physics sources of neutrinoless double beta decay in this model. Ignoring the left-right gauge boson mixing and heavy-light neutrino mixing, we first compute the contributions to neutrinoless double beta decay for type I and type II dominant seesaw separately and compare with the standard light neutrino contributions. We then repeat the exercise by considering the presence of both type I and type II seesaw, having non-negligible contributions to light neutrino masses and show the difference in results from individual seesaw cases. Assuming the new gauge bosons and scalars to be around a TeV, we constrain different parameters of the model including both heavy and light neutrino masses from the requirement of keeping the new physics contribution to neutrinoless double beta decay amplitude below the upper limit set by the GERDA experiment and also satisfying bounds from lepton flavor violation, cosmology and colliders.

  18. Transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor signal via c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent Smad2/3 phosphorylation in rat hepatic stellate cells after acute liver injury.

    PubMed

    Yoshida, Katsunori; Matsuzaki, Koichi; Mori, Shigeo; Tahashi, Yoshiya; Yamagata, Hideo; Furukawa, Fukiko; Seki, Toshihito; Nishizawa, Mikio; Fujisawa, Junichi; Okazaki, Kazuichi

    2005-04-01

    After liver injury, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) regulate the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and tissue remodeling. Mechanisms of PDGF signaling in the TGF-beta-triggered cascade are not completely understood. TGF-beta signaling involves phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 at linker and C-terminal regions. Using antibodies to distinguish Smad2/3 phosphorylated at linker regions from those phosphorylated at C-terminal regions, we investigated Smad2/3-mediated signaling in rat liver injured by CCl(4) administration and in cultured HSCs. In acute liver injury, Smad2/3 were transiently phosphorylated at both regions. Although linker-phosphorylated Smad2 remained in the cytoplasm of alpha-smooth muscle actin-immunoreactive mesenchymal cells adjacent to necrotic hepatocytes in centrilobular areas, linker-phosphorylated Smad3 accumulated in the nuclei. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the activated HSCs directly phosphorylated Smad2/3 at linker regions. Co-treatment of primary cultured HSCs with TGF-beta and PDGF activated the JNK pathway, subsequently inducing endogenous linker phosphorylation of Smad2/3. The JNK pathway may be involved in migration of resident HSCs within the space of Disse to the sites of tissue damage because the JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited HSC migration induced by TGF-beta and PDGF signals. Moreover, treatment of HSCs with both TGF-beta and PDGF increased transcriptional activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 through linker phosphorylation of Smad3. In conclusion, TGF-beta and PDGF activate HSCs by transmitting their signals through JNK-mediated Smad2/3 phosphorylation at linker regions, both in vivo and in vitro.

  19. The 76Ge(n,p)76Ga reaction and its relevance to searches for the neutrino-less double-beta decay of 76Ge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tornow, W.; Bhike, Megha; Fallin, B.; Krishichayan, Fnu

    2015-10-01

    The 76Ge(n,p)76Ga reaction and the subsequent β decay of 76Ga to 76Ge has been used to excite the 3951.9 keV state of 76Ge, which decays by emission of a 2040.7 keV γ ray. Using HPGe detectors, the associated pulse-height signal may be undistinguishable from the potential signal produced in neutrino-less double-beta decay of 76Ge with its Q-value of 2039.0 keV. In the neutron energy range between 10 and 20 MeV the production cross section of the 2040.7 keV γ ray is approximately 0.1 mb. In the same experiment γ rays of energy 2037.9 keV resulting from the 76Ge(n, γ)77Ge reaction were clearly observed. Adding the 76Ge(n,n' γ)76Ge reaction, which also produces the 2040.7 keV γ ray with a cross section value of the order of 0.1 mb clearly shows that great care has to be taken to eliminate neutron-induced backgrounds in searches for neutrino-less double-beta decay of 76Ge. This work was supported by the U.S. DOE under Grant NO. DE-FG02-97ER41033.

  20. Small C-terminal domain phosphatases dephosphorylate the regulatory linker regions of Smad2 and Smad3 to enhance transforming growth factor-beta signaling.

    PubMed

    Wrighton, Katharine H; Willis, Danielle; Long, Jianyin; Liu, Fang; Lin, Xia; Feng, Xin-Hua

    2006-12-15

    Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) controls a diverse set of cellular processes, and its canonical signaling is mediated via TGF-beta-induced phosphorylation of receptor-activated Smads (2 and 3) at the C-terminal SXS motif. We recently discovered that PPM1A can dephosphorylate Smad2/3 at the C-terminal SXS motif, implicating a critical role for phosphatases in regulating TGF-beta signaling. Smad2/3 activity is also regulated by phosphorylation in the linker region (and N terminus) by a variety of intracellular kinases, making it a critical platform for cross-talk between TGF-beta and other signaling pathways. Using a functional genomic approach, we identified the small C-terminal domain phosphatase 1 (SCP1) as a specific phosphatase for Smad2/3 dephosphorylation in the linker and N terminus. A catalytically inactive SCP1 mutant (dnSCP1) had no effect on Smad2/3 phosphorylation in vitro or in vivo. Of the other FCP/SCP family members SCP2 and SCP3, but not FCP1, could also dephosphorylate Smad2/3 in the linker/N terminus. Depletion of SCP1/2/3 enhanced Smad2/3 linker phosphorylation. SCP1 increased TGF-beta-induced transcriptional activity in agreement with the idea that phosphorylation in the Smad2/3 linker must be removed for a full transcriptional response. SCP1 overexpression also counteracts the inhibitory effect of epidermal growth factor on TGF-beta-induced p15 expression. Taken together, this work identifies the first example of a Smad2/3 linker phosphatase(s) and reveals an important new substrate for SCPs.

  1. Status of double beta decay experiments using isotopes other than 136Xe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandola, L.

    2014-09-01

    Neutrinoless double beta decay is a lepton-number violating process predicted by many extensions of the standard model. It is actively searched for in several candidate isotopes within many experimental projects. The status of the experimental initiatives which are looking for the neutrinoless double beta decay in isotopes other than 136Xe is reviewed, with special emphasis given to the projects that passed the R&D phase. The results recently released by the experiment GERDA are also summarized and discussed. The GERDA data give no positive indication of neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge and disfavor in a model-independent way the long-standing observation claim on the same isotope. The lower limit reported by GERDA for the half-life of neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge is T1/20ν > 2.1 ṡ1025 yr (90% C.L.), or T1/20ν > 3.0 ṡ1025 yr, when combined with the results of other 76Ge predecessor experiments.

  2. Double Beta Decay Experiments: Present Status and Prospects for the Future

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barabash, A. S.

    The review of modern experiments on search and studying of double beta decay processes is done. Results of the most sensitive current experiments are discussed. The main attention is paid to EXO-200, KamLAND-Zen, GERDA-I and CUORE-0 experiments. Modern values of T1/2(2ν) and best present limits on neutrinoless double beta decay and double beta decay with Majoron emission are presented. Conservative limits on effective mass of a Majorana neutrino ( < 0.46 eV) and a coupling constant of Majoron to neutrino ( < 1.3 × 10-5) are obtained. In the second part of the review prospects of search for the neutrinoless double beta decay in new experiments with sensitivity to at the level of ˜ (0.01-0.1) eV are discussed. The main attention is paid to experiments of CUORE, GERDA, MAJORANA, EXO, KamLAND-Zen-2, SuperNEMO and SNO+. Possibilities of low-temperature scintillating bolometers on the basis of inorganic crystals (ZnSe, ZnMoO4, Li2MoO4, CaMoO4 and CdWO4) are considered too.

  3. The N-terminal Region of the DNA-dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit Is Required for Its DNA Double-stranded Break-mediated Activation*

    PubMed Central

    Davis, Anthony J.; Lee, Kyung-Jong; Chen, David J.

    2013-01-01

    DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays an essential role in the repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) mediated by the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. DNA-PK is a holoenzyme consisting of a DNA-binding (Ku70/Ku80) and catalytic (DNA-PKcs) subunit. DNA-PKcs is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is recruited to DSBs via Ku70/80 and is activated once the kinase is bound to the DSB ends. In this study, two large, distinct fragments of DNA-PKcs, consisting of the N terminus (amino acids 1–2713), termed N-PKcs, and the C terminus (amino acids 2714–4128), termed C-PKcs, were produced to determine the role of each terminal region in regulating the activity of DNA-PKcs. N-PKcs but not C-PKcs interacts with the Ku-DNA complex and is required for the ability of DNA-PKcs to localize to DSBs. C-PKcs has increased basal kinase activity compared with DNA-PKcs, suggesting that the N-terminal region of DNA-PKcs keeps basal activity low. The kinase activity of C-PKcs is not stimulated by Ku70/80 and DNA, further supporting that the N-terminal region is required for binding to the Ku-DNA complex and full activation of kinase activity. Collectively, the results show the N-terminal region mediates the interaction between DNA-PKcs and the Ku-DNA complex and is required for its DSB-induced enzymatic activity. PMID:23322783

  4. A Patient with Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration: Treatment with Iron Chelation Therapy.

    PubMed

    Lim, Shen-Yang; Tan, Ai Huey; Ahmad-Annuar, Azlina; Schneider, Susanne A; Bee, Ping Chong; Lim, Jia Lun; Ramli, Norlisah; Idris, Mohamad Imran

    2018-05-01

    We present a case of beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration, a form of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. The patient harbored a novel mutation in the WDR45 gene. A detailed video and description of her clinical condition are provided. Her movement disorder phenomenology was characterized primarily by limb stereotypies and gait dyspraxia. The patient's disability was advanced by the time iron-chelating therapy with deferiprone was initiated, and no clinical response in terms of cognitive function, behavior, speech, or movements were observed after one year of treatment.

  5. Gamow-Teller Strength Distributions in {sup 48}Sc by the {sup 48}Ca(p,n) and {sup 48}Ti(n,p) Reactions and Two-Neutrino Double-beta Decay Nuclear Matrix Elements

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yako, K.; Sasano, M.; Miki, K.

    2009-07-03

    The double-differential cross sections for the {sup 48}Ca(p,n) and {sup 48}Ti(n,p) reactions were measured at 300 MeV. A multipole decomposition technique was applied to the spectra to extract the Gamow-Teller (GT) components. The integrated GT strengths up to an excitation energy of 30 MeV in {sup 48}Sc are 15.3+-2.2 and 2.8+-0.3 in the (p,n) and (n,p) spectra, respectively. In the (n,p) spectra additional GT strengths were found above 8 MeV where shell models within the fp shell-model space predict almost no GT strengths, suggesting that the present shell-model description of the nuclear matrix element of the two-neutrino double-beta decay ismore » incomplete.« less

  6. Double heterozygosity for Hb New York [beta 113 GTG-->GAG; VAL-->GLU] and beta degrees-thalassemia mutations manifests as a thalassemia trait.

    PubMed

    Lee, Anselm C W; Ma, Edmond S K; Chan, Amy Y Y; Szeto, S C; Chan, L C

    2008-01-01

    An extended family with three individuals affected by two different forms of double heterozygosity for beta-thalassemia and Hb New York is reported. Double heterozygosity of Hb New York [beta 113 GTG-->GAG; VAL-->GLU] and beta degrees codon 17 was detected in a fetus following prenatal screening for thalassemia. The father and a paternal aunt were also found to be heterozygous for Hb New York and beta degrees IVSII-654. Both adults had clinical and hematological features consistent with beta-thalassemia trait. The affected child was followed up after birth and manifested the typical course of a thalassemia trait, with no signs of organomegaly or overt hemolysis. Observations strongly suggest that double heterozygosity of Hb New York and beta degrees thalassemia has mild, if any, clinical symptoms, and is not an indication of therapeutic abortion when detected antenatally.

  7. First results of neutrinoless double beta decay search with the GERmanium Detector Array "GERDA"

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janicskó Csáthy, József

    2014-06-01

    The study of neutrinoless double beta decay is the most powerful approach to the fundamental question if the neutrino is a Majorana particle, i.e. its own anti-particle. The observation of the lepton number violating neutrinoless double beta decay would establish the Majorana nature of the neutrino. Until now neutrinoless double beta decay was not observed. The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA is a double beta decay experiment located at the INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy. GERDA operates bare Ge diodes enriched in 76Ge in liquid argon supplemented by a water shield. The exposure accumulated adds up to 21.6 kg· yr with a background level of 1.8 · 10-2 cts/(keV·kg·yr). The results of the Phase I of the experiment are presented and the preparation of the Phase II is briefly discussed.

  8. Preparation of alpha-cyclodextrin-terminated polyrotaxane consisting of beta-cyclodextrins and pluronic as a building block of a biodegradable network.

    PubMed

    Ooya, Tooru; Ito, Akihiro; Yui, Nobuhiko

    2005-05-23

    A beta-CD-based biodegradable polyrotaxane was prepared by capping both terminals of polypseudorotaxane consisting of hydrazide-terminated PEG-block-PPG-block-PEG (Pluronic P-105) and beta-CD-succinates with mono-aldehyde alpha-CDs. By decreasing pH, the fluorescent intensity of TNS was increased with time, indicating cleavage of the terminal hydrazone bonds followed by beta-CD-succinate release. The terminal alpha-CD moieties of the polyrotaxane are useful for self-assembled formation with some guest molecules. [Diagram: see text

  9. Effect of Propellant Composition to the Temperature Sensitivity of Composite Propellant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aziz, Amir; Mamat, Rizalman; Amin, Makeen; Ali, Wan Khairuddin Wan

    2012-09-01

    The propellant composition is one of several parameter that influencing the temperature sensitivity of composite propellant. In this paper, experimental investigation of temperature sensitivity in burning rate of composite propellant was conducted. Four sets of different propellant compositions had been prepared with the combination of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as an oxidizer, aluminum (Al) as fuel and hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel and binder. For each mixture, HTPB binder was fixed at 15% and cured with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). By varying AP and Al, the effect of oxidizer- fuel mixture ratio (O/F) on the whole propellant can be determined. The propellant strands were manufactured using compression molded method and burnt in a strand burner using wire technique over a range of pressure from 1 atm to 31 atm. The results obtained shows that the temperature sensitivity, a, increases with increasing O/F. Propellant p80 which has O/F ratio of 80/20 gives the highest value of temperature sensitivity which is 1.687. The results shows that the propellant composition has significant effect on the temperature sensitivity of composite propellant

  10. Altering the N-terminal arms of the polymerase manager protein UmuD modulates protein interactions.

    PubMed

    Murison, David A; Ollivierre, Jaylene N; Huang, Qiuying; Budil, David E; Beuning, Penny J

    2017-01-01

    Escherichia coli cells that are exposed to DNA damaging agents invoke the SOS response that involves expression of the umuD gene products, along with more than 50 other genes. Full-length UmuD is expressed as a 139-amino-acid protein, which eventually cleaves its N-terminal 24 amino acids to form UmuD'. The N-terminal arms of UmuD are dynamic and contain recognition sites for multiple partner proteins. Cleavage of UmuD to UmuD' dramatically affects the function of the protein and activates UmuC for translesion synthesis (TLS) by forming DNA Polymerase V. To probe the roles of the N-terminal arms in the cellular functions of the umuD gene products, we constructed additional N-terminal truncated versions of UmuD: UmuD 8 (UmuD Δ1-7) and UmuD 18 (UmuD Δ1-17). We found that the loss of just the N-terminal seven (7) amino acids of UmuD results in changes in conformation of the N-terminal arms, as determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy with site-directed spin labeling. UmuD 8 is cleaved as efficiently as full-length UmuD in vitro and in vivo, but expression of a plasmid-borne non-cleavable variant of UmuD 8 causes hypersensitivity to UV irradiation, which we determined is the result of a copy-number effect. UmuD 18 does not cleave to form UmuD', but confers resistance to UV radiation. Moreover, removal of the N-terminal seven residues of UmuD maintained its interactions with the alpha polymerase subunit of DNA polymerase III as well as its ability to disrupt interactions between alpha and the beta processivity clamp, whereas deletion of the N-terminal 17 residues resulted in decreases in binding to alpha and in the ability to disrupt the alpha-beta interaction. We find that UmuD 8 mimics full-length UmuD in many respects, whereas UmuD 18 lacks a number of functions characteristic of UmuD.

  11. Finite element implementation of a thermo-damage-viscoelastic constitutive model for hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene composite propellant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Jinsheng; Han, Long; Zheng, Jian; Chen, Xiong; Zhou, Changsheng

    2017-11-01

    A thermo-damage-viscoelastic model for hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) composite propellant with consideration for the effect of temperature was implemented in ABAQUS. The damage evolution law of the model has the same form as the crack growth equation for viscoelastic materials, and only a single damage variable S is considered. The HTPB propellant was considered as an isotropic material, and the deviatoric and volumetric strain-stress relations are decoupled and described by the bulk and shear relaxation moduli, respectively. The stress update equations were expressed by the principal stresses σ_{ii}R and the rotation tensor M, the Jacobian matrix in the global coordinate system J_{ijkl} was obtained according to the fourth-order tensor transformation rules. Two models having complex stress states were used to verify the accuracy of the constitutive model. The test results showed good agreement with the strain responses of characteristic points measured by a contactless optical deformation test system, which illustrates that the thermo-damage-viscoelastic model perform well at describing the mechanical properties of an HTPB propellant.

  12. Combustion characteristics of SMX and SMX based propellants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reese, David A.

    This work investigates the combustion of the new solid nitrate ester 2,3-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dinitro-1,4-butanediol tetranitrate (SMX, C6H 8N6O16). SMX was synthesized for the first time in 2008. It has a melting point of 85 °C and oxygen balance of 0% to CO 2, allowing it to be used as an energetic additive or oxidizer in solid propellants. In addition to its neat combustion characteristics, this work also explores the use of SMX as a potential replacement for nitroglycerin (NG) in double base gun propellants and as a replacement for ammonium perchlorate in composite rocket propellants. The physical properties, sensitivity characteristics, and combustion behaviors of neat SMX were investigated. Its combustion is stable at pressures of up to at least 27.5 MPa (n = 0.81). The observed flame structure is nearly identical to that of other double base propellant ingredients, with a primary flame attached at the surface, a thick isothermal dark zone, and a luminous secondary flame wherein final recombination reactions occur. As a result, the burning rate and primary flame structure can be modeled using existing one-dimensional steady state techniques. A zero gas-phase activation energy approximation results in a good fit between modeled and observed behavior. Additionally, SMX was considered as a replacement for nitroglycerin in a double base propellant. Thermochemical calculations indicate improved performance when compared with the common double base propellant JA2 at SMX loadings above 40 wt-%. Also, since SMX is a room temperature solid, migration may be avoided. Like other nitrate esters, SMX is susceptible to decomposition over long-term storage due to the presence of excess acid in the crystals; the addition of stabilizers (e.g., derivatives of urea) during synthesis should be sufficient to prevent this. the addition of Both unplasticized and plasticized propellants were formulated. Thermal analysis of unplasticized propellant showed a distinct melt

  13. Unprecedented enhancement of transient gene expression from minimal cassettes using a double terminator.

    PubMed

    Beyene, Getu; Buenrostro-Nava, Marco T; Damaj, Mona B; Gao, San-Ji; Molina, Joe; Mirkov, T Erik

    2011-01-01

    The potential of using vector-free minimal gene cassettes (MGCs) with a double terminator for the enhancement and stabilization of transgene expression was tested in sugarcane biolistic transformation. The MGC system used consisted of the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) reporter gene driven by the maize ubiquitin-1 (Ubi) promoter and a single or double terminator from nopaline synthase (Tnos) or/and Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (35ST). Transient EYFP expression from Tnos or 35ST single terminator MGC was very low and unstable, typically peaking early (8-16 h) and diminishing rapidly (48-72 h) after bombardment. Addition of a ~260 bp vector sequence (VS) to the single MGC downstream of Tnos (Tnos + VS) or 35ST (35ST + VS) enhanced EYFP expression by 1.25- to 25-fold. However, a much more significant increase in EYFP expression was achieved when the VS in 35ST + VS was replaced by Tnos to generate a 35ST-Tnos double terminator MGC, reaching its maximum at 24 h post-bombardment. The enhanced EYFP expression from the double terminator MGC was maintained for a long period of time (168 h), resulting in an overall increase of 5- to 65-fold and 10- to 160-fold as compared to the 35ST and Tnos single terminator MGCs, respectively. The efficiency of the double terminator MGC in enhancing EYFP expression was also demonstrated in sorghum and tobacco, suggesting that the underlying mechanism is highly conserved among monocots and dicots. Our results also suggest the involvement of posttranscriptional gene silencing in the reduced and unstable transgene expression from single terminator MGCs in plants.

  14. Main features of detectors and isotopes to investigate double beta decay with increased sensitivity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barabash, A. S.

    2018-03-01

    The current situation in double beta decay experiments, the characteristics of modern detectors and the possibility of increasing the sensitivity to neutrino mass in future experiments are discussed. The issue of the production and use of enriched isotopes in double beta decay experiments is discussed in addition.

  15. Involvement of tyrosine residues, N-terminal amino acids, and beta-alanine in insect cuticular sclerotization.

    PubMed

    Andersen, Svend Olav

    2007-09-01

    During sclerotization of insect cuticle the acyldopamines, N-acetyldopamine (NADA) and N-beta-alanyldopamine (NBAD), are oxidatively incorporated into the cuticular matrix, thereby hardening and stabilizing the material by forming crosslinks between the proteins in the cuticular matrix and by forming polymers filling the intermolecular spaces in the cuticle. Sclerotized cuticle from the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the beetle, Tenebrio molitor, was hydrolyzed in dilute hydrochloric acid, and from the hydrolysates some components presumably degradation products of cuticular crosslinks were isolated. In two of the components, the sidechain of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone was linked to the amino groups of glycine and beta-alanine, respectively, and in the third component to the phenolic group of tyrosine. These three compounds, glycino-dihydroxyacetophenone, beta-alanino-dihydroxyacetophenone, and O-tyrosino-dihydroxyacetophenone, as well as the previously reported compound, lysino-dihydroxyacetophenone [Andersen, S.O., Roepstorff, P., 2007. Aspects of cuticular sclerotization in the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 37, 223-234], are suggested to be degradation products of cuticular crosslinks, in which amino acid residues formed linkages to both the alpha- and beta-positions of the sidechain of acyldopamines.

  16. Double beta decay: yesterday, today, tomorrow

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fiorini, Ettore

    2011-12-16

    After a brief introduction on the main features of Double Beta Decay (DBD) and on its origin, its importance is stressed in view of the recent results of experiments on neutrino oscillations. The present experimental situation is reported with special reference to direct experiments and to the comparison of their results with theory. The expectations of the future experiments aiming to reach the sensitivity indicated by neutrino oscillations in the inverse hierarchy hypothesis are discussed.

  17. Design and Fabrication of a 200N Thrust Rocket Motor Based on NH4ClO4+Al+HTPB as Solid Propellant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wahid, Mastura Ab; Ali, Wan Khairuddin Wan

    2010-06-01

    The development of rocket motor using potassium nitrate, carbon and sulphur mixture has successfully been developed by researchers and students from UTM and recently a new combination for solid propellant is being created. The new solid propellant will combine a composition of Ammonium perchlorate, NH4ClO4 with aluminium, Al and Hydroxyl Terminated Polybutadiene, HTPB as the binder. It is the aim of this research to design and fabricate a new rocket motor that will produce a thrust of 200N by using this new solid propellant. A static test is done to obtain the thrust produced by the rocket motor and analyses by observation and also calculation will be done. The experiment for the rocket motor is successful but the thrust did not achieve its required thrust.

  18. The Majorana Demonstrator search for neutrinoless double beta decay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cuesta, C.; Buuck, M.; Detwiler, Jason A.

    2016-12-12

    The MAJORANA Collaboration is constructing the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, an ultra-low background, modular, HPGe detector array with a mass of 44.8-kg (29.7 kg enriched 88% in 76Ge) to search for neutrinoless double beta decay in 76Ge. The next generation of tonnescale Ge-based neutrinoless double beta decay searches will probe the neutrino mass scale in the inverted-hierarchy region. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is envisioned to demonstrate a path forward to achieve a background rate at or below 1 count/tonne/year in the 4 keV region of interest around the Q-value of 2039 keV. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR follows a modular implementation to be easily scalablemore » to the next generation experiment. First data taken with the DEMONSTRATOR are introduced here.« less

  19. PandaX-III neutrinoless double beta decay experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Shaobo; PandaX-III Collaboration

    2017-09-01

    The PandaX-III experiment uses high pressure Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of Xe-136 with high energy resolution and sensitivity at the China Jin-Ping underground Laboratory II (CJPL-II). Fine-pitch Microbulk Micromegas will be used for charge amplification and readout in order to reconstruct both the energy and track of the neutrinoless double-beta decay event. In the first phase of the experiment, the detector, which contains 200 kg of 90% Xe-136 enriched gas operated at 10 bar, will be immersed in a large water tank to ensure 5 m of water shielding. For the second phase, a ton-scale experiment with multiple TPCs will be constructed to improve the detection probability and sensitivity. A 20-kg scale prototype TPC with 7 Micromegas modules has been built to optimize the design of Micromegas readout module, study the energy calibration of TPC and develop algorithm of 3D track reconstruction.

  20. The structure of Rauvolfia serpentina strictosidine synthase is a novel six-bladed beta-propeller fold in plant proteins.

    PubMed

    Ma, Xueyan; Panjikar, Santosh; Koepke, Juergen; Loris, Elke; Stöckigt, Joachim

    2006-04-01

    The enzyme strictosidine synthase (STR1) from the Indian medicinal plant Rauvolfia serpentina is of primary importance for the biosynthetic pathway of the indole alkaloid ajmaline. Moreover, STR1 initiates all biosynthetic pathways leading to the entire monoterpenoid indole alkaloid family representing an enormous structural variety of approximately 2000 compounds in higher plants. The crystal structures of STR1 in complex with its natural substrates tryptamine and secologanin provide structural understanding of the observed substrate preference and identify residues lining the active site surface that contact the substrates. STR1 catalyzes a Pictet-Spengler-type reaction and represents a novel six-bladed beta-propeller fold in plant proteins. Structure-based sequence alignment revealed a common repetitive sequence motif (three hydrophobic residues are followed by a small residue and a hydrophilic residue), indicating a possible evolutionary relationship between STR1 and several sequence-unrelated six-bladed beta-propeller structures. Structural analysis and site-directed mutagenesis experiments demonstrate the essential role of Glu-309 in catalysis. The data will aid in deciphering the details of the reaction mechanism of STR1 as well as other members of this enzyme family.

  1. The 76Ge Program to Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guiseppe, Vincente

    2017-09-01

    Neutrinoless double-beta decay searches play a major role in determining the nature of neutrinos, the existence of a lepton violating process, and the effective Majorana neutrino mass. The Majorana and Gerda Collaborations are operating arrays of high purity Ge detectors to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in 76Ge. The Majorana Demonstrator is operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota while the Gerda experiment is operating at LNGS in Italy. The Gerda and Majorana Demonstrator experiments have achieved the lowest backgrounds in the neutrinoless double-beta decay region of interest. These results, coupled with the superior energy resolution (0.1%) of Ge detectors demonstrate that 76Ge is an ideal isotope for a large next generation experiment. The LEGEND collaboration, with 220 members from 47 institutions around the world, has been formed to pursue a ton scale 76Ge experiment. Building on the successes of Gerda and Majorana, the LEGEND collaboration aims to develop a phased neutrinoless double-beta decay experimental program with discovery potential at a half-life significantly longer than 1027 years. This talk will present the initial results from the Majorana Demonstrator and Gerda experiments and the plan for the LEGEND program.

  2. The Process by Which Double Base Propellants with Embedded Continuous Wires are Fabricated by Use of the Screw Extruder,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-03-08

    Engineering Research Center in Xian Xian City, People’s Republic of China received June 9, 1981 Abstract This paper describes a process by which the screw... research , it is not only possible to satisfy a full range of design requirements, but also to produce double base propellant grains with continuous...arranged in a radial configuration by the application of an electrical charge. In recent years3 researches on the embedding of wires in propellant

  3. Structural and functional analysis of an essential nucleoporin heterotrimer on the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear pore complex

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yoshida, Kimihisa; Seo, Hyuk-Soo; Debler, Erik W.

    2012-07-25

    So far, only a few of the interactions between the {approx}30 nucleoporins comprising the modular structure of the nuclear pore complex have been defined at atomic resolution. Here we report the crystal structure, at 2.6 {angstrom} resolution, of a heterotrimeric complex, composed of fragments of three cytoplasmically oriented nucleoporins of yeast: Nup82, Nup116, and Nup159. Our data show that the Nup82 fragment, representing more than the N-terminal half of the molecule, folds into an extensively decorated, seven-bladed {beta}-propeller that forms the centerpiece of this heterotrimeric complex and anchors both a C-terminal fragment of Nup116 and the C-terminal tail of Nup159.more » Binding between Nup116 and Nup82 is mutually reinforced via two loops, one emanating from the Nup82 {beta}-propeller and the other one from the {beta}-sandwich fold of Nup116, each contacting binding pockets in their counterparts. The Nup82-Nup159 interaction occurs through an amphipathic {alpha}-helix of Nup159, which is cradled in a large hydrophobic groove that is generated from several large surface decorations of the Nup82 {beta}-propeller. Although Nup159 and Nup116 fragments bind to the Nup82 {beta}-propeller in close vicinity, there are no direct contacts between them, consistent with the noncooperative binding that was detected biochemically. Extensive mutagenesis delineated hot-spot residues for these interactions. We also showed that the Nup82 {beta}-propeller binds to other yeast Nup116 family members, Nup145N, Nup100 and to the mammalian homolog, Nup98. Notably, each of the three nucleoporins contains additional nuclear pore complex binding sites, distinct from those that were defined here in the heterotrimeric Nup82 {center_dot} Nup159 {center_dot} Nup116 complex.« less

  4. Observation of the Double Beta Decay of ^48Ca^*

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Piepke, Andreas

    1996-10-01

    Neutrino-less double beta decay is at present the most sensitive kinematic test for finite neutrino mass. The unfolding of a neutrino mass (or a mass limit) from measured decay rates, however, relies on complicated nuclear structure calculations. In the absence of any rigorous test for these calculations the investigation of the very rare two-neutrino double beta decay (β β 2ν) decay serves to verify the validity of the nuclear models. Among all candidate nuclei the double beta decay ^48Caarrow ^48Ti is unique, since it is the only one which can be treated ``exactly'' in the nuclear shell model. Taking advantage of this special situation, isotopically enriched ^48Ca (enrichment 73% ), in form of finely powdered CaCO_3, was exposed in the Irvine time projection chamber located at the Hoover dam, 72 m below ground. The ongoing data analysis shows strong evidence for the presence of a β β 2ν signal i.e. a two electron spectrum with the expected endpoint of 4.3 MeV. The experimental half life appears to agree with most shell model calculations. A detailed discussion of the results will be presented.(Work in collaboration with A. Balysh, V.I. Lebedev, A. Pronsky, KIAE Moscow, A. De Silva, M.K. Moe, M.A. Nelson, M.A. Vient, UC Irvine and K. Lou, P. Vogel, Caltech.) ^* Supported by U.S. Department of Energy. A.P. acknowledges support of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

  5. Combustion mechanism of double-base propellant containing nitrogen heterocyclic nitroamines (II): The temperature distribution of the flame and its chemical structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yan, Qi-Long; Song, Zhen-Wei; Shi, Xiao-Bing; Yang, Zhi-Yuan; Zhang, Xiao-Hong

    2009-03-01

    In order to evaluate the actual pros and cons in the use of new nitroamines for solid rocket applications, the combustion properties of double-base propellants containing nitrogen heterocyclic nitroamines such as RDX, TNAD, HMX and DNP are investigated by means of high-speed photography technique, Non-contact wavelet-based measurement of flame temperature distribution. The chemical reactions in different combustion zone which control the burning characteristics of the double-base propellant containing nitrogen heterocyclic nitroamines were systematically investigated and descriptions of the detailed thermal decomposition mechanisms from solid phase to liquid phase or to gas phase are also included. It was indicated that the thermodynamic phase transition consisting of both evaporation and condensation of NC+NG, HMX, TNAD, RDX and DNP, are considered to provide a complete description of the mass transfer process in the combustion of these double-base propellants, and the combustion mechanisms of them are mainly involved with the oxidation mechanism of the NO 2, formaldehyde (CH 2O) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The entire oxidation reaction rate might be dependent on the pressure of the combustion chamber and temperature of the gas phase.

  6. Sensitivity and Discovery Potential of CUORE to Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Alessandria, F; Ardito, R; Artusa, DR

    We present a study of the sensitivity and discovery potential of CUORE, a bolometric double-beta decay experiment under construction at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. Two approaches to the computation of experimental sensitivity for various background scenarios are presented, and an extension of the sensitivity formulation to the discovery potential case is also discussed. Assuming a background rate of 10 -2 cts/(keV kg y), we find that, after 5 years of live time, CUORE has a 1 sigma sensitivity to the neutrinoless double-beta decay half-life of Tmore » $$0v\\atop{1/2}$$(1θ) = 1.6 \\times 10 26 y and thus a potential to probe the effective Majorana neutrino mass down to 40-100 meV; the sensitivity at 1.64 sigma, which corresponds to 90% C.L., will be T$$0v\\atop{1/2}$$(1.64θ) = 9.5 \\times 10 25 y. This range is compared with the claim of observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay in 76Ge and the preferred range of the neutrino mass parameter space from oscillation results.« less

  7. Ribonucleocapsid Formation of SARS-COV Through Molecular Action of the N-Terminal Domain of N Protein

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Saikatendu, K.S.; Joseph, J.S.; Subramanian, V.

    Conserved amongst all coronaviruses are four structural proteins, the matrix (M), small envelope (E) and spike (S) that are embedded in the viral membrane and the nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (N), which exists in a ribonucleoprotein complex in their lumen. The N terminal domain of coronaviral N proteins (N-NTD) provides a scaffold for RNA binding while the C-terminal domain (N-CTD) mainly acts as oligomerization modules during assembly. The C-terminus of N protein anchors it to the viral membrane by associating with M protein. We characterized the structures of N-NTD from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in two crystal forms, at 1.17Amore » (monoclinic) and 1.85 A (cubic) respectively, solved by molecular replacement using the homologous avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) structure. Flexible loops in the solution structure of SARS-CoV N-NTD are now shown to be well ordered around the beta-sheet core. The functionally important positively charged beta-hairpin protrudes out of the core and is oriented similar to that in the IBV N-NTD and is involved in crystal packing in the monoclinic form. In the cubic form, the monomers form trimeric units that stack in a helical array. Comparison of crystal packing of SARS-CoV and IBV N-NTDs suggest a common mode of RNA recognition, but probably associate differently in vivo during the formation of the ribonucleoprotein complex. Electrostatic potential distribution on the surface of homology models of related coronaviral N-NTDs hints that they employ different modes of both RNA recognition as well as oligomeric assembly, perhaps explaining why their nucleocapsids have different morphologies.« less

  8. Time-resolved spectroscopy of dye-labeled photoactive yellow protein suggests a pathway of light-induced structural changes in the N-terminal cap.

    PubMed

    Hoersch, Daniel; Otto, Harald; Cusanovich, Michael A; Heyn, Maarten P

    2009-07-14

    The photoreceptor PYP responds to light activation with global conformational changes. These changes are mainly located in the N-terminal cap of the protein, which is approximately 20 A away from the chromophore binding pocket and separated from it by the central beta-sheet. The question of the propagation of the structural change across the central beta-sheet is of general interest for the superfamily of PAS domain proteins, for which PYP is the structural prototype. Here we measured the kinetics of the structural changes in the N-terminal cap by transient absorption spectroscopy on the ns to second timescale. For this purpose the cysteine mutants A5C and N13C were prepared and labeled with thiol reactive 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein (IAF). A5 is located close to the N-terminus, while N13 is part of helix alpha1 near the functionally important salt bridge E12-K110 between the N-terminal cap and the central anti-parallel beta-sheet. The absorption spectrum of the dye is sensitive to its environment, and serves as a sensor for conformational changes near the labeling site. In both labeled mutants light activation results in a transient red-shift of the fluorescein absorption spectrum. To correlate the conformational changes with the photocycle intermediates of the protein, we compared the kinetics of the transient absorption signal of the dye with that of the p-hydroxycinnamoyl chromophore. While the structural change near A5 is synchronized with the rise of the I(2) intermediate, which is formed in approximately 200 mus, the change near N13 is delayed and rises with the next intermediate I(2)', which forms in approximately 2 ms. This indicates that different parts of the N-terminal cap respond to light activation with different kinetics. For the signaling pathway of photoactive yellow protein we propose a model in which the structural signal propagates from the chromophore binding pocket across the central beta-sheet via the N-terminal region to helix alpha1

  9. Search for double beta decay of 116Cd with enriched 116CdWO4 crystal scintillators (Aurora experiment)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Danevich, F. A.; Barabash, A. S.; Belli, P.; Bernabei, R.; Cappella, F.; Caracciolo, V.; Cerulli, R.; Chernyak, D. M.; d'Angelo, S.; Incicchitti, A.; Kobychev, V. V.; Konovalov, S. I.; Laubenstein, M.; Mokina, V. M.; Poda, D. V.; Polischuk, O. G.; Shlegel, V. N.; Tretyak, V. I.; Umatov, V. I.

    2016-05-01

    The Aurora experiment to investigate double beta decay of 116 Cd with the help of 1.162 kg cadmium tungstate crystal scintillators enriched in 116 Cd to 82% is in progress at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory. The half-life of 116 Cd relatively to the two neutrino double beta decay is measured with the highest up-to-date accuracy T1/2 = (2.62 ± 0.14) × 1019 yr. The sensitivity of the experiment to the neutrinoless double beta decay of 116 Cd to the ground state of 116 Sn is estimated as T1/2 ≥ 1.9 × 1023 yr at 90% CL, which corresponds to the effective Majorana neutrino mass limit (mv) ≤ (1.2 — 1.8) eV. New limits are obtained for the double beta decay of 116 Cd to the excited levels of 116 Sn, and for the neutrinoless double beta decay with emission of majorons.

  10. Involvement of H- and N-Ras isoforms in transforming growth factor-{beta}1-induced proliferation and in collagen and fibronectin synthesis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Martinez-Salgado, Carlos; Fuentes-Calvo, Isabel; Instituto 'Reina Sofia' de Investigacion Nefrologica, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca

    2006-07-01

    Transforming growth factor {beta}1 (TGF-{beta}1) has a relevant role in the origin and maintenance of glomerulosclerosis and tubule-interstitial fibrosis. TGF-{beta} and Ras signaling pathways are closely related: TGF-{beta}1 overcomes Ras mitogenic effects and Ras counteracts TGF-{beta} signaling. Tubule-interstitial fibrosis is associated to increases in Ras, Erk, and Akt activation in a renal fibrosis model. We study the role of N- and H-Ras isoforms, and the involvement of the Ras effectors Erk and Akt, in TGF-{beta}1-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and proliferation, using embrionary fibroblasts from double knockout (KO) mice for H- and N-Ras (H-ras {sup -/-}/N-ras {sup -/-}) isoforms andmore » from heterozygote mice (H-ras {sup +/-}/N-ras {sup +/-}). ECM synthesis is increased in basal conditions in H-ras {sup -/-}/N-ras {sup -/-} fibroblasts, this increase being higher after stimulation with TGF-{beta}1. TGF-{beta}1-induced fibroblast proliferation is smaller in H-ras {sup -/-}/N-ras {sup -/-} than in H-ras {sup +/-}/N-ras {sup +/-} fibroblasts. Erk activation is decreased in H-ras {sup -/-}/N-ras {sup -/-} fibroblasts; inhibition of Erk activation reduces fibroblast proliferation. Akt activation is higher in double KO fibroblasts than in heterozygotes; inhibition of Akt activation also inhibits ECM synthesis. We suggest that H- and N-Ras isoforms downregulate ECM synthesis, and mediate proliferation, in part through MEK/Erk activation. PI3K-Akt pathway activation may be involved in the increase in ECM synthesis observed in the absence of H- and N-Ras.« less

  11. Catalytic Decomposition of Propellant Hydrazines, N-Nitrosodimethylamine, and N-Nitrodimethylamine

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Greene, Ben; Johnson, Harry T.

    2000-01-01

    Remediation of propellant hydrazine spills, waste treatment, or cleanup of water contaminated with these propellants and/or their oxidation products is a subject of great concern for safety and the environment. Current remediation technologies typically employ oxidative methods, such as chlorination or ozonation. Methylated hydrazines, in particular 1,1-dimethythydrazine (UDMH) and to some degree monomethy1hydrazine (MMH), form N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-Nitrodimethylamine (DMNM) during oxidation. These compounds are highly toxic and may persist if oxidative conditions are not sufficiently harsh. Since NDMA and DMNM may also be formed from exposure of MMH or UDMH to air, a need exists for a method that will remediate hydrazine, MMH, UDMH, NDMA, and DMNM. In this work, aqueous solutions of propellant hydrazines, NDMA, and DMNM were found to degrade by catalytic reduction with nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al) alloy under basic conditions. The reaction is based upon dissolution of At from Ni-Al alloy in aqueous media to form aluminum ion and hydrogen gas; and the resultant finely divided nickel catalyzes reduction of the hydrazine, nitrosoamine, or nitroamine by the hydrogen produced. Greater than 99 percent of hydrazine, MMH, UDMH, NDMA, and DMNM in aqueous solutions were degraded under laboratory conditions when reacted with Ni-Al alloy. UDMH was identified as an intermediate reduction product of NDMA and DNNM. NDMA and UDMH were identified as intermediate reduction products of DMNM. Control experiments without nickel showed no degradation of hydrazine, MMH or UDMH, while NDMA and DMNM were reduced to UDMH. Spill pillows containing Ni-Al alloy and solid sodium hydroxide were also found effective in absorption and degradation of UDMH. The application of chemical reduction as a means to propellant hydrazines, NDMA, and DMNM spill remediation, waste treatment, and water decontamination appears highly attractive.

  12. Ap4A and ADP-beta-S binding to P2 purinoceptors present on rat brain synaptic terminals.

    PubMed Central

    Pintor, J.; Díaz-Rey, M. A.; Miras-Portugal, M. T.

    1993-01-01

    1. Diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) a dinucleotide stored and released from rat brain synaptic terminals presents two types of affinity binding sites in synaptosomes. When [3H]-Ap4A was used for binding studies a Kd value of 0.10 +/- 0.014 nM and a Bmax value of 16.6 +/- 1.2 fmol mg-1 protein were obtained for the high affinity binding site from the Scatchard analysis. The second binding site, obtained by displacement studies, showed a Ki value of 0.57 +/- 0.09 microM. 2. Displacement of [3H]-Ap4A by non-labelled Ap4A and P2-purinoceptor ligands showed a displacement order of Ap4A > adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADP-beta-S) > 5'-adenylyl-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) > alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha,beta-MeATP) in both sites revealed by the Ki values of 0.017 nM, 0.030 nM, 0.058 nM and 0.147 nM respectively for the high affinity binding site and values of 0.57 microM, 0.87 microM, 2.20 microM and 4.28 microM respectively for the second binding site. 3. Studies of the P2-purinoceptors present in synaptosomes were also performed with [35S]-ADP-beta-S. This radioligand showed two binding sites the first with Kd and Bmax values of 0.11 +/- 0.022 nM and 3.9 +/- 2.1 fmol mg-1 of protein respectively for the high affinity binding site obtained from the Scatchard plot. The second binding site showed a Ki of 0.018 +/- 0.0035 microM obtained from displacement curves. 4. Competition studies with diadenosine polyphosphates of [35S]-ADP-beta-S binding showed a displacement order of Ap4A > Ap5A > Ap6A in the high affinity binding site and Ki values of 0.023 nM, 0.081 nM and 5.72 nM respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:8485620

  13. Crystallization and diffraction analysis of [beta]-N-acetylhexosaminidase from Aspergillus oryzae

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vanek, Ondrej; Brynd, Jirí; Hofbauerová, Katerina

    2012-05-08

    Fungal {beta}-N-acetylhexosaminidases are enzymes that are used in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of biologically interesting oligosaccharides. The enzyme from Aspergillus oryzae was produced and purified from its natural source and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method. Diffraction data from two crystal forms (primitive monoclinic and primitive tetragonal) were collected to resolutions of 3.2 and 2.4 {angstrom}, respectively. Electrophoretic and quantitative N-terminal protein-sequencing analyses confirmed that the crystals are formed by a complete biologically active enzyme consisting of a glycosylated catalytic unit and a noncovalently attached propeptide.

  14. The Majorana Double Beta Decay Experiment:. Present Status

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aguayo, E.; Avignone, F. T.; Back, H. O.; Barabash, A. S.; Beene, J. R.; Bergevin, M.; Bertrand, F. E.; Boswell, M.; Brudanin, V.; Busch, M.; Chan, Y.-D.; Christofferson, C. D.; Collar, J. I.; Combs, D. C.; Cooper, R. J.; Detwiler, J. A.; Doe, P. J.; Efremenko, Yu.; Egorov, V.; Ejiri, H.; Elliott, S. R.; Esterline, J.; Fast, J. E.; Fields, N.; Finnerty, P.; Fraenkle, F. M.; Gehman, V. M.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Green, M. P.; Guiseppe, V. E.; Gusey, K.; Hallin, A. L.; Hazama, R.; Henning, R.; Hime, A.; Hoppe, E. W.; Horton, M.; Howard, S.; Howe, M. A.; Johnson, R. A.; Keeter, K. J.; Keller, C.; Kidd, M. F.; Knecht, A.; Kochetov, O.; Konovalov, S. I.; Kouzes, R. T.; Laferriere, B. D.; Laroque, B. H.; Leon, J.; Leviner, L. E.; Loach, J. C.; Macmullin, S.; Marino, M. G.; Martin, R. D.; Mei, D.-M.; Merriman, J. H.; Miller, M. L.; Mizouni, L.; Nomachi, M.; Orrell, J. L.; Overman, N. R.; Phillips, D. G.; Poon, A. W. P.; Perumpilly, G.; Prior, G.; Radford, D. C.; Rielage, K.; Robertson, R. G. H.; Ronquest, M. C.; Schubert, A. G.; Shima, T.; Shirchenko, M.; Snavely, K. J.; Steele, D.; Strain, J.; Thomas, K.; Timkin, V.; Tornow, W.; Vanyushin, I.; Varner, R. L.; Vetter, K.; Vorren, K.; Wilkerson, J. F.; Yakushev, E.; Young, A. R.; Yu, C.-H.; Yumatov, V. I.; Zhang, C.

    2013-11-01

    The Majorana collaboration is actively pursuing research and development aimed at a tonne-scale 76Ge neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) experiment. The current, primary focus is the construction of the Majorana Demonstrator experiment, an R&D effort that will field approximately 40 kg of germanium detectors with mixed enrichment levels. This article provides a status update on the construction of the Demonstrator.

  15. Effect of cancellation in neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mitra, Manimala; Pascoli, Silvia; Wong, Steven

    2014-11-01

    In light of recent experimental results, we carefully analyze the effects of interference in neutrinoless double beta decay, when more than one mechanism is operative. If a complete cancellation is at work, the half-life of the corresponding isotope is infinite, and any constraint on it will automatically be satisfied. We analyze this possibility in detail assuming a cancellation in Xe 136 , and find its implications on the half-life of other isotopes, such as Ge 76 . For definiteness, we consider the role of light and heavy sterile neutrinos. In this case, the effective Majorana mass parameter can be redefined to take into account all contributions, and its value gets suppressed. Hence, larger values of neutrino masses are required for the same half-life. The canonical light neutrino contribution cannot saturate the present limits of half-lives or the positive claim of observation of neutrinoless double beta decay, once the stringent bounds from cosmology are taken into account. For the case of cancellation, where all the sterile neutrinos are heavy, the tension between the results from neutrinoless double beta decay and cosmology becomes more severe. We show that the inclusion of light sterile neutrinos in this setup can resolve this issue. Using the recent results from GERDA, we derive upper limits on the active-sterile mixing angles and compare them with the case of no cancellation. The required values of the mixing angles become larger, if a cancellation is at work. A direct test of destructive interference in Xe 136 is provided by the observation of this process in other isotopes, and we study in detail the correlation between their half-lives. Finally, we discuss the model realizations which can accommodate light and heavy sterile neutrinos and the cancellation. We show that sterile neutrinos of few hundred MeV or GeV mass range, coming

  16. Mars Ascent Vehicle-Propellant Aging

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dankanich, John; Rousseau, Jeremy; Williams, Jacob

    2015-01-01

    This project is to develop and test a new propellant formulation specifically for the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) for the robotic Mars Sample Return mission. The project was initiated under the Planetary Sciences Division In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) program and is continuing under the Mars Exploration Program. The two-stage, solid motor-based MAV has been the leading MAV solution for more than a decade. Additional studies show promise for alternative technologies including hybrid and bipropellant options, but the solid motor design has significant propellant density advantages well suited for physical constraints imposed while using the SkyCrane descent stage. The solid motor concept has lower specific impulse (Isp) than alternatives, but if the first stage and payload remain sufficiently small, the two-stage solid MAV represents a potential low risk approach to meet the mission needs. As the need date for the MAV slips, opportunities exist to advance technology with high on-ramp potential. The baseline propellant for the MAV is currently the carboxyl terminated polybutadiene (CTPB) based formulation TP-H-3062 due to its advantageous low temperature mechanical properties and flight heritage. However, the flight heritage is limited and outside the environments, the MAV must endure. The ISPT program competed a propellant formulation project with industry and selected ATK to develop a new propellant formulation specifically for the MAV application. Working with ATK, a large number of propellant formulations were assessed to either increase performance of a CTPB propellant or improve the low temperature mechanical properties of a hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant. Both propellants demonstrated potential to increase performance over heritage options, but an HTPB propellant formulation, TP-H-3544, was selected for production and testing. The test plan includes propellant aging first at high vacuum conditions, representative of the Mars transit

  17. Light sterile neutrinos and neutrinoless double-beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Giunti, Carlo

    2017-10-01

    The LSND, Gallium and reactor neutrino anomalies can be explained by short-baseline neutrino oscillations due to the mixing of the active neutrinos with sterile neutrinos at the eV scale. I review the results of a 3+1 global fit of short-baseline neutrino oscillation data that includes the recent measurements of the MINOS, IceCube, and NEOS experiments, and I discuss the implications for neutrinoless double-beta decay.

  18. Searches for double beta decay of Xe 134 with EXO-200

    DOE PAGES

    Albert, J. B.; Anton, G.; Badhrees, I.; ...

    2017-11-03

    Searches for double beta decay of 134Xe were performed with EXO-200, a single-phase liquid xenon detector designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 136Xe. Using an exposure of 29.6 kg ∙ yr , the lower limits of Tmore » $$2νββ\\atop{1/2}$$ > 8.7 × 10 20 yr and T$$0νββ\\atop{1/2}$$ > 1.1 × 10 23 yr at 90% confidence level were derived, with corresponding half-life sensitivities of 1.2 × 10 21 yr and 1.9 × 10 23 yr . In conclusion, these limits exceed those in the literature for 134 Xe , improving by factors of nearly 10 5 and 2 for the two antineutrino and neutrinoless modes, respectively.« less

  19. New precursors for direct synthesis of single phase Na- and K-{beta}{double_prime}-aluminas for use in AMTEC systems

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cook, R.L.; MacQueen, D.B.; Bader, K.E.

    1997-12-31

    Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converters (AMTEC) are efficient direct energy conversion devices that depend on the use of highly conductive beta-alumina membranes for their operation. The key component of the AMTEC system is a highly conductive Na-{beta}{double_prime}-alumina solid electrolyte which conducts sodium ions from the high to low temperature zone, thereby generating electricity. AMTEC cells convert thermal to electrical energy by using heat to produce and maintain an alkali metal concentration gradient across the ion transporting BASE membrane. They have developed a method for producing pure phase Na-{beta}{double_prime}-alumina and K-{beta}{double_prime}-alumina powders from single phase nano-sized carboxylato-alumoxanes precursors. Sodium or potassium ionsmore » (the mobile ions) and either Mg{sup 2+} or Li{sup +} ions (which stabilize the {beta}{double_prime}-alumina structure) can be atomically dispersed into the carboxylato-alumoxane lattice at low (< 100 C) temperature. Calculation of the carboxylato-alumoxane precursors at 1,200--1,500 C produces pure phase {beta}{double_prime}-alumina powders.« less

  20. Search for neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ostrovskiy, Igor; O'Sullivan, Kevin

    2016-06-01

    We review current experimental efforts to search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ). A description of the selected leading experiments is given and the strongest recent results are compared in terms of achieved background indexes (BI) and limits on effective Majorana mass. A combined limit is also shown. The second part of the review covers next generation experiments, highlighting the challenges and new technologies that may be necessary to achieve a justifiable discovery potential. A potential synergy with direct dark matter searches, which could be an especially prudent strategy in case the axial vector coupling constant is quenched in 0νββ decay, is emphasized.

  1. The Nuclear and Particle Physics of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haxton, Wick

    2014-03-01

    Fortuitous properties of nuclei allow us to isolate and study the rare second-order weak process of double beta decay. In particular, the decay channel in which a final state of two electrons and no neutrinos is produced - neutrinoless double beta decay - provides our best test of lepton number conservation and the Majorana mass of the electron neutrino. I will describe the connections between this process and the charge conjugation properties of the neutrino, including the possibility that the presence of both Dirac and Majorana masses accounts for the anomalous scale of neutrino masses. The extraordinary progress made over the past two decades has prepared the way for next-generation experiments that will probe Majorana masses at levels where nonzero rates may be found, given what we now know about neutrino mass splittings. I will describe some of the heroic efforts underway to develop detectors of unprecedented size, radiopurity, depth, and thus sensitivity. Work supported by the Office of Science, US DOE.

  2. Search for the Neutrino Less Double Beta Decay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Efremenko, Yuri

    2016-07-11

    During the past few years our understanding of neutrino properties has reached a new level, with experiments such as Super-K, SNO, KamLAND, and others obtaining exciting results. Major questions such as “Do neutrinos have mass?” and “Do neutrinos oscillate?” now have positive answers. However, an extensive program of neutrino research remains. Undoubtedly, the most important of these is the question pointed out by the National Research Council in its February 2002 report “Connecting Quarks with the Cosmos”, specifically: What are the masses of neutrinos and how have they shaped the evolution of the Universe? The MAJORANA collaboration has proposed tomore » build the world’s most sensitive one-ton scale experiment to search for neutrino less double beta decay to answer this question. In its initial stage, the collaboration is building a prototype MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR (MJD) experiment consisting of detectors made out of enriched Ge 76 with a total sensitive mass of ~30 kg. This will accomplish two goals. First, it will test not yet confirmed claim for observation of neutrino-less double beta decay. Second, it will establish that the selected technology is capable of extension to a one-ton experiment with sufficient sensitivity to measure neutrino mass m ββ down to 10 meV. To achieve the last goal, collaboration must demonstrate that a background level of 1 count per year per 4 keV per ton of detector is achievable. The University of Tennessee (UT) neutrino group has made a major commitment to the MJD. P.I. accepted the responsibility for one of the major tasks of the experiment, “Materials and Assay Task” which is crucial to the achievement of low background levels required for the experiment. In addition, the UT group is committed to construct, commission, and operate the MJD active veto system. Those activities were supported by NP-DOE via program funding for “Search for the Neutrino Less Double Beta Decay” at the University of Tennessee

  3. Double gene deletion reveals the lack of cooperation between PPAR{alpha} and PPAR{beta} in skeletal muscle

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bedu, E.; Desplanches, D.; Pequignot, J.

    2007-06-15

    The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved in the regulation of most of the pathways linked to lipid metabolism. PPAR{alpha} and PPAR{beta} isotypes are known to regulate muscle fatty acid oxidation and a reciprocal compensation of their function has been proposed. Herein, we investigated muscle contractile and metabolic phenotypes in PPAR{alpha}-/-, PPAR{beta}-/-, and double PPAR{alpha}-/- {beta}-/- mice. Heart and soleus muscle analyses show that the deletion of PPAR{alpha} induces a decrease of the HAD activity ({beta}-oxidation) while soleus contractile phenotype remains unchanged. A PPAR{beta} deletion alone has no effect. However, these mild phenotypes are not due to a reciprocal compensationmore » of PPAR{beta} and PPAR{alpha} functions since double gene deletion PPAR{alpha}-PPAR{beta} mostly reproduces the null PPAR{alpha}-mediated reduced {beta}-oxidation, in addition to a shift from fast to slow fibers. In conclusion, PPAR{beta} is not required for maintaining skeletal muscle metabolic activity and does not compensate the lack of PPAR{alpha} in PPAR{alpha} null mice.« less

  4. Cloning and expression of a novel UDP-GlcNAc:alpha-D-mannoside beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase homologous to UDP-GlcNAc:alpha-3-D-mannoside beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I.

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Wenli; Betel, Doron; Schachter, Harry

    2002-01-01

    A TBLASTN search with human UDP-GlcNAc:alpha-3-d-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT I; EC 2.4.1.101) as a probe identified human and mouse Unigenes encoding a protein similar to human GnT I (34% identity over 340 amino acids). The recombinant protein converted Man(alpha1-6)[Man(alpha1-3)]Man(beta1-)O-octyl to Man(alpha1-6)[GlcNAc(beta1-2)Man(alpha1-3)]Man(beta1-)O-octyl, the reaction catalysed by GnT I. The enzyme also added GlcNAc to Man(alpha1-6)[GlcNAc(beta1-2)Man(alpha1-3)]Man(beta1-)O-octyl (the substrate for beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II), Man(alpha1-)O-benzyl [with K(m) values of approximately 0.3 and >30 mM for UDP-GlcNAc and Man(alpha1-)O-benzyl respectively] and the glycopeptide CYA[Man(alpha1-)O-T]AV (K(m) approximately 12 mM). The product formed with Man(alpha1-)O-benzyl was identified as GlcNAc(beta1-2)Man(alpha1-)O-benzyl by proton NMR spectroscopy. The enzyme was named UDP-GlcNAc:alpha-d-mannoside beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I.2 (GnT I.2). The human gene mapped to chromosome 1. Northern-blot analysis showed a 3.3 kb message with a wide tissue distribution. The cDNA has a 1980 bp open reading frame encoding a 660 amino acid protein with a type-2 domain structure typical of glycosyltransferases. Man(beta1-)O-octyl, Man(beta1-)O-p-nitrophenyl and GlcNAc(beta1-2)Man(alpha1-6)[GlcNAc(beta1-2)Man(alpha1-3)]Man(beta1-4)GlcNAc(beta1-4)GlcNAc(beta1-)O-Asn were not acceptors, indicating that GnT I.2 is specific for alpha-linked terminal Man and does not have N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III, IV, V, VII or VIII activities. CYA[Man(alpha1-)O-T]AV was between three and seven times more effective as an acceptor than the other substrates, suggesting that GnT I.2 may be responsible for the synthesis of the GlcNAc(beta1-2)Man(alpha1-)O-Ser/Thr moiety on alpha-dystroglycan and other O-mannosylated proteins. PMID:11742540

  5. Meprin A and meprin {alpha} generate biologically functional IL-1{beta} from pro-IL-1{beta}

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Herzog, Christian; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Medicine, Little Rock, AR 72205; Haun, Randy S.

    The present study demonstrates that both oligomeric metalloendopeptidase meprin A purified from kidney cortex and recombinant meprin {alpha} are capable of generating biologically active IL-1{beta} from its precursor pro-IL-1{beta}. Amino-acid sequencing analysis reveals that meprin A and meprin {alpha} cleave pro-IL-1{beta} at the His{sup 115}-Asp{sup 116} bond, which is one amino acid N-terminal to the caspase-1 cleavage site and five amino acids C-terminal to the meprin {beta} site. The biological activity of the pro-IL-1{beta} cleaved product produced by meprin A, determined by proliferative response of helper T-cells, was 3-fold higher to that of the IL-1{beta} product produced by meprin {beta}more » or caspase-1. In a mouse model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation puncture that results in elevated levels of serum IL-1{beta}, meprin inhibitor actinonin significantly reduces levels of serum IL-1{beta}. Meprin A and meprin {alpha} may therefore play a critical role in the production of active IL-1{beta} during inflammation and tissue injury.« less

  6. Natural triple beta-stranded fibrous folds.

    PubMed

    Mitraki, Anna; Papanikolopoulou, Katerina; Van Raaij, Mark J

    2006-01-01

    A distinctive family of beta-structured folds has recently been described for fibrous proteins from viruses. Virus fibers are usually involved in specific host-cell recognition. They are asymmetric homotrimeric proteins consisting of an N-terminal virus-binding tail, a central shaft or stalk domain, and a C-terminal globular receptor-binding domain. Often they are entirely or nearly entirely composed of beta-structure. Apart from their biological relevance and possible gene therapy applications, their shape, stability, and rigidity suggest they may be useful as blueprints for biomechanical design. Folding and unfolding studies suggest their globular C-terminal domain may fold first, followed by a "zipping-up" of the shaft domains. The C-terminal domains appear to be important for registration because peptides corresponding to shaft domains alone aggregate into nonnative fibers and/or amyloid structures. C-terminal domains can be exchanged between different fibers and the resulting chimeric proteins are useful as a way to solve structures of unknown parts of the shaft domains. The following natural triple beta-stranded fibrous folds have been discovered by X-ray crystallography: the triple beta-spiral, triple beta-helix, and T4 short tail fiber fold. All have a central longitudinal hydrophobic core and extensive intermonomer polar and nonpolar interactions. Now that a reasonable body of structural and folding knowledge has been assembled about these fibrous proteins, the next challenge and opportunity is to start using this information in medical and industrial applications such as gene therapy and nanotechnology.

  7. Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with CUORE-0: Physics Results and Detector Performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Canonica, L.

    2016-08-01

    The CUORE-0 experiment searches for neutrinoless double beta decay in ^{130}Te. It consists of an array of 52 tellurium dioxide crystals, operated as bolometers at a temperature of 10 mK, with a total mass of about 39 kg of TeO_2. CUORE-0 has been built to test the performance of the upcoming CUORE experiment and represents the largest ^{130}Te bolometric setup currently in operation. This experiment has been running in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy, since March 2013. We report the results of a search for neutrinoless double beta decay in 9.8 kg years ^{130}Te exposure, which allowed us to set the most stringent limit to date on this half-life. The performance of the detector in terms of background rate and energy resolution are also reported.

  8. Neutrinoless double beta decay with 82SeF6 and direct ion imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nygren, D. R.; Jones, B. J. P.; López-March, N.; Mei, Y.; Psihas, F.; Renner, J.

    2018-03-01

    We present a new neutrinoless double beta decay concept: the high pressure selenium hexafluoride gas time projection chamber. A promising new detection technique is outlined which combines techniques pioneered in high pressure xenon gas, such as topological discrimination, with the high Q-value afforded by the double beta decay isotope 82Se. The lack of free electrons in SeF6 mandates the use of an ion TPC. The microphysics of ion production and drift, which have many nuances, are explored. Background estimates are presented, suggesting that such a detector may achieve background indices of better than 1 count per ton per year in the region of interest at the 100 kg scale, and still better at the ton-scale.

  9. Combining and comparing neutrinoless double beta decay experiments using different nuclei

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bergström, Johannes

    2013-02-01

    We perform a global fit of the most relevant neutrinoless double beta decay experiments within the standard model with massive Majorana neutrinos. Using Bayesian inference makes it possible to take into account the theoretical uncertainties on the nuclear matrix elements in a fully consistent way. First, we analyze the data used to claim the observation of neutrinoless double beta decay in 76Ge, and find strong evidence (according to Jeffrey's scale) for a peak in the spectrum and moderate evidence for that the peak is actually close to the energy expected for the neutrinoless decay. We also find a significantly larger statistical error than the original analysis, which we include in the comparison with other data. Then, we statistically test the consistency between this claim with that of recent measurements using 136Xe. We find that the two data sets are about 40 to 80 times more probable under the assumption that they are inconsistent, depending on the nuclear matrix element uncertainties and the prior on the smallest neutrino mass. Hence, there is moderate to strong evidence of incompatibility, and for equal prior probabilities the posterior probability of compatibility is between 1.3% and 2.5%. If one, despite such evidence for incompatibility, combines the two data sets, we find that the total evidence of neutrinoless double beta decay is negligible. If one ignores the claim, there is weak evidence against the existence of the decay. We also perform approximate frequentist tests of compatibility for fixed ratios of the nuclear matrix elements, as well as of the no signal hypothesis. Generalization to other sets of experiments as well as other mechanisms mediating the decay is possible.

  10. Neutron induced radio-isotopes and background for Ge double beta decay experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chu, Pinghan; Majorana Collaboration

    2015-10-01

    Environmental neutrons, mostly produced by muons in the cosmic rays, might contribute backgrounds to the search for neutrinoless double beta decays. These neutrons can interact with materials and generate radio-isotopes, which can decay and produce radioactive backgrounds. Some of these neutron-induced isotopes have a signature of a time-delayed coincidence, allowing us to study these infrequent events. For example, such isotopes can decay by beta decay to metastable states and then decay by gamma decay to the ground state. Considering the time-delayed coincidence of these two processes, we can determine candidates for these neutron-induced isotopes in the data and estimate the flux of neutrons in the deep underground environment. In this report, we will list possible neutron-induced isotopes and the methodology to detect them, especially those that can affect the search for neutrinoless double beta decays in 76Ge. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics, the Particle Astrophysics Program of the National Science Foundation, and the Sanford Underground Research Facility. We acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of Energy through the LANL/LDRD Program.

  11. The paradox of MHC-DRB exon/intron evolution: alpha-helix and beta-sheet encoding regions diverge while hypervariable intronic simple repeats coevolve with beta-sheet codons.

    PubMed

    Schwaiger, F W; Weyers, E; Epplen, C; Brün, J; Ruff, G; Crawford, A; Epplen, J T

    1993-09-01

    Twenty-one different caprine and 13 ovine MHC-DRB exon 2 sequences were determined including part of the adjacent introns containing simple repetitive (gt)n(ga)m elements. The positions for highly polymorphic DRB amino acids vary slightly among ungulates and other mammals. From man and mouse to ungulates the basic (gt)n(ga)m structure is fixed in evolution for 7 x 10(7) years whereas ample variations exist in the tandem (gt)n and (ga)m dinucleotides and especially their "degenerated" derivatives. Phylogenetic trees for the alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets of the ungulate DRB sequences suggest different evolutionary histories. In hoofed animals as well as in humans DRB beta-sheet encoding sequences and adjacent intronic repeats can be assembled into virtually identical groups suggesting coevolution of noncoding as well as coding DNA. In contrast alpha-helices and C-terminal parts of the first DRB domain evolve distinctly. In the absence of a defined mechanism causing specific, site-directed mutations, double-recombination or gene-conversion-like events would readily explain this fact. The role of the intronic simple (gt)n(ga)m repeat is discussed with respect to these genetic exchange mechanisms during evolution.

  12. Propellant Charge with Reduced Muzzle Smoke and Flash Characteristics.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    a conventional double base extruded propellant as well as more energetic nitramine composition and a microencapsulated oxamide coolant additive for...cooling the gases exiting the weapons barrel. In the preferred embodiment, the oxamide is encapsulated with a gelatin and the resulting microcapsules ...of this invention to provide a novel microencapsulated propellant additive which will pass through the propellant flame zone intact and decompose

  13. The search for majoron emission in xenon-136 and two-neutrino double-beta decay of xenon-134 with the enriched xenon observatory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walton, Josiah

    Despite neutrino oscillation experiments firmly establishing neutrinos have non-zero mass, the absolute mass scale is unknown. Moreover, it's unknown whether the neutrino is distinguishable from its antiparticle. The most promising approach for measuring the neutrino mass scale and answering the issue of neutrino-antineutrino distinguishability is by searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay, a very rare theorized process not allowed under the current theoretical framework of particle physics. Positive observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay would usher in a revolution in particle physics, since it would determine the neutrino mass scale, establish that neutrinos and antineutrinos are indistinguishable, and that the particle physics conservation law of total lepton number is violated in nature. The latter two consequences are particularly salient, as they lead to potential explanations of neutrino mass generation and the observed large asymmetry of matter over antimatter in the universe. The Enriched Xenon Observatory (EXO-200) is an international collaboration searching for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of the isotope 136 Xe. EXO-200 operates a unique world-class low-radioactivity detector containing 110 kg of liquified xenon isotopically enriched to 80.6% in 136Xe. Recently, EXO-200 published the most precise two-neutrino double-beta decay half-life ever measured and one of the strongest limits on the half-life of the neutrinoless double-beta decay mode of 136Xe. This work presents an improved experimental search for the majoron-mediated neutrinoless double-beta decay modes of 136Xe and a novel search for the yet unobserved two neutrino double-beta decay of 134Xe.

  14. Investigation of double-beta decay at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zeldovich, O. Ya.; Kirpichnikov, I. V.

    Investigation of neutrinoless double-beta (2{beta}0{nu}) decay is presently being considered as one of the most important problems in particle physics and cosmology Interest in the problem was quickened by the observation of neutrino oscillations. The results of oscillation experiments determine the mass differences between different neutrino flavors, and the observation of neutrinoless decay may fix the absolute scale and the hierarchy of the neutrino masses. Investigation of 2{beta}0{nu} decay is the most efficient method for solving the problem of whether the neutrino is a Dirae or a Majorana particle, Physicists from the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow)more » have been participating actively in solving this problem. They initiated and pioneered the application of semiconductor detectors manufactured from enriched germanium to searches for the double-beta decay of {sup 76}Ge. Investigations with {sup 76}Ge provided the most important results. At present, ITEP physicists are taking active part in four very large projects, GERDA. Majorana, EXO, and NEMO, which are capable of recording 2{beta}0{nu} decay at a Majorana neutrino mass of {approx} 10{sup -2} eV.« less

  15. New Technique for Barium Daughter Ion Identification in a Liquid Xe-136 Double Beta Decay Experiment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fairbank, William

    2016-06-08

    This work addresses long-standing issues of fundamental interest in elementary particle physics. The most important outcome of this work is a new limit on neutrinoless double beta decay. This is an extremely rare and long-sought-after type of radioactive decay. If discovered, it would require changes in the standard model of the elementary constituents of matter, and would prove that neutrinos and antineutrinos are the same, a revolutionary concept in particle physics. Neutrinos are major components of the matter in the universe that are so small and so weakly interacting with other matter that their masses have not yet been discovered.more » A discovery of neutrinoless double beta decay could help determine the neutrino masses. An important outcome of the work on this project was the Colorado State University role in operating the EXO-200 neutrinoless double beta decay experiment and in analysis of the data from this experiment. One type of double beta decay of the isotope 136Xe, the two-neutrino variety, was discovered in this work. Although the other type of double beta decay, the neutrinoless variety, was not yet discovered in this work, a world’s best sensitivity of 1.9x10 25 year half-life was obtained. This result rules out a previous claim of a positive result in a different isotope. This work also establishes that the masses of the neutrinos are less than one millionth of that of electrons. A unique EXO-200 analysis, in which the CSU group had a leading role, has established for the first time ever in a liquid noble gas the fraction of daughter atoms from alpha and beta decay that are ionized. This result has important impact on other pending studies, including nucleon decay and barium tagging. Novel additional discoveries include multiphoton ionization of liquid xenon with UV pulsed lasers, which may find application in calibration of future noble liquid detectors, and studies of association and dissociation reactions of Ba + ions in gaseous xenon

  16. Apparatus for an investigation of proton-pair correlations in the neutrinoless double-beta decay candidate 136Xe via the 134Xe(3He,n)136Ba reaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jones, Spencer

    2017-09-01

    A number of experiments are focused on trying to observe neutrinoless double beta decay to see if neutrinos are Majorana particles, and thus their own antiparticles. If observed, the results could lead to a more direct measurement of neutrino masses, and to an understanding of why each neutrino flavor has the mass that it does. Lepton conservation would be violated, and data could even shed light on the large discrepancy of matter to antimatter found in the universe today, as it is believed that equal amounts of both were present in the first moments after the Big Bang. We plan to study the 134Xe(3He,n)136Ba reaction to inform the proton pairing structure in 136Ba, which is necessary to validate approximations made in calculating the nuclear matrix elements for the neutrinoless double beta decay rate of 136Xe. In particular, the observation of excited 0+ strength would signal a breakdown of the BCS approximation used in QRPA calculations. Design and construction of apparatus to perform this experiment are currently underway. The design of the 3He gas target will be described. This research is supported by the Office of Nuclear Physics in the US Department of Energy Office of Science.

  17. Development of ^{100}Mo-containing scintillating bolometers for a high-sensitivity neutrinoless double-beta decay search

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Armengaud, E.; Augier, C.; Barabash, A. S.; Beeman, J. W.; Bekker, T. B.; Bellini, F.; Benoît, A.; Bergé, L.; Bergmann, T.; Billard, J.; Boiko, R. S.; Broniatowski, A.; Brudanin, V.; Camus, P.; Capelli, S.; Cardani, L.; Casali, N.; Cazes, A.; Chapellier, M.; Charlieux, F.; Chernyak, D. M.; de Combarieu, M.; Coron, N.; Danevich, F. A.; Dafinei, I.; Jesus, M. De; Devoyon, L.; Domizio, S. Di; Dumoulin, L.; Eitel, K.; Enss, C.; Ferroni, F.; Fleischmann, A.; Foerster, N.; Gascon, J.; Gastaldo, L.; Gironi, L.; Giuliani, A.; Grigorieva, V. D.; Gros, M.; Hehn, L.; Hervé, S.; Humbert, V.; Ivannikova, N. V.; Ivanov, I. M.; Jin, Y.; Juillard, A.; Kleifges, M.; Kobychev, V. V.; Konovalov, S. I.; Koskas, F.; Kozlov, V.; Kraus, H.; Kudryavtsev, V. A.; Laubenstein, M.; Sueur, H. Le; Loidl, M.; Magnier, P.; Makarov, E. P.; Mancuso, M.; de Marcillac, P.; Marnieros, S.; Marrache-Kikuchi, C.; Nagorny, S.; Navick, X.-F.; Nikolaichuk, M. O.; Nones, C.; Novati, V.; Olivieri, E.; Pagnanini, L.; Pari, P.; Pattavina, L.; Pavan, M.; Paul, B.; Penichot, Y.; Pessina, G.; Piperno, G.; Pirro, S.; Plantevin, O.; Poda, D. V.; Queguiner, E.; Redon, T.; Rodrigues, M.; Rozov, S.; Rusconi, C.; Sanglard, V.; Schäffner, K.; Scorza, S.; Shlegel, V. N.; Siebenborn, B.; Strazzer, O.; Tcherniakhovski, D.; Tomei, C.; Tretyak, V. I.; Umatov, V. I.; Vagneron, L.; Vasiliev, Ya. V.; Velázquez, M.; Vignati, M.; Weber, M.; Yakushev, E.; Zolotarova, A. S.

    2017-11-01

    This paper reports on the development of a technology involving ^{100}Mo-enriched scintillating bolometers, compatible with the goals of CUPID, a proposed next-generation bolometric experiment to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Large mass (˜ 1 kg), high optical quality, radiopure ^{100}Mo-containing zinc and lithium molybdate crystals have been produced and used to develop high performance single detector modules based on 0.2-0.4 kg scintillating bolometers. In particular, the energy resolution of the lithium molybdate detectors near the Q-value of the double-beta transition of ^{100}Mo (3034 keV) is 4-6 keV FWHM. The rejection of the α -induced dominant background above 2.6 MeV is better than 8σ . Less than 10 μ Bq/kg activity of ^{232}Th (^{228}Th) and ^{226}Ra in the crystals is ensured by boule recrystallization. The potential of ^{100}Mo-enriched scintillating bolometers to perform high sensitivity double-beta decay searches has been demonstrated with only 10 kg× d exposure: the two neutrino double-beta decay half-life of ^{100}Mo has been measured with the up-to-date highest accuracy as T_{1/2} = [6.90 ± 0.15(stat.) ± 0.37(syst.)] × 10^{18} years. Both crystallization and detector technologies favor lithium molybdate, which has been selected for the ongoing construction of the CUPID-0/Mo demonstrator, containing several kg of ^{100}Mo.

  18. Environmentally compatible solid rocket propellants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jacox, James L.; Bradford, Daniel J.

    1995-01-01

    Hercules' clean propellant development research is exploring three major types of clean propellant: (1) chloride-free formulations (no chlorine containing ingredients), being developed on the Clean Propellant Development and Demonstration (CPDD) contract sponsored by Phillips Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, CA; (2) low HCl scavenged formulations (HCl-scavenger added to propellant oxidized with ammonium perchlorate (AP)); and (3) low HCl formulations oxidized with a combination of AN and AP (with or without an HCl scavenger) to provide a significant reduction (relative to current solid rocket boosters) in exhaust HCl. These propellants provide performance approaching that of current systems, with less than 2 percent HCl in the exhaust, a significant reduction (greater than or equal to 70 percent) in exhaust HCl levels. Excellent processing, safety, and mechanical properties were achieved using only readily available, low cost ingredients. Two formulations, a sodium nitrate (NaNO3) scavenged HTPB and a chloride-free hydroxy terminated polyether (HTPE) propellant, were characterized for ballistic, mechanical, and rheological properties. In addition, the hazards properties were demonstrated to provide two families of class 1.3, 'zero-card' propellants. Further characterization is planned which includes demonstration of ballistic tailorability in subscale (one to 70 pound) motors over the range of burn rates required for retrofit into current Hercules space booster designs (Titan 4 SRMU and Delta 2 GEM).

  19. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR: A search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of ⁷⁶Ge

    DOE PAGES

    Xu, W.; Abgrall, N.; Avignone, F. T.; ...

    2015-05-01

    Neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay is a hypothesized process where in some even-even nuclei it might be possible for two neutrons to simultaneously decay into two protons and two electrons without emitting neutrinos. This is possible only if neutrinos are Majorana particles, i.e. fermions that are their own antiparticles. Neutrinos being Majorana particles would explicitly violate lepton number conservation, and might play a role in the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. The observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay would also provide complementary information related to neutrino masses. The Majorana Collaboration is constructing the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, with a total of 40-kg Germanium detectors,more » to search for the 0νββ decay of ⁷⁶Ge and to demonstrate a background rate at or below 3 counts/(ROI•t•y) in the 4 keV region of interest (ROI) around the 2039 keV Q-value for ⁷⁶Ge 0νββ decay. In this paper, we discuss the physics of neutrinoless double beta decay and then focus on the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, including its design and approach to achieve ultra-low backgrounds and the status of the experiment.« less

  20. An improved stable isotope N-terminal labeling approach with light/heavy TMPP to automate proteogenomics data validation: dN-TOP.

    PubMed

    Bertaccini, Diego; Vaca, Sebastian; Carapito, Christine; Arsène-Ploetze, Florence; Van Dorsselaer, Alain; Schaeffer-Reiss, Christine

    2013-06-07

    In silico gene prediction has proven to be prone to errors, especially regarding precise localization of start codons that spread in subsequent biological studies. Therefore, the high throughput characterization of protein N-termini is becoming an emerging challenge in the proteomics and especially proteogenomics fields. The trimethoxyphenyl phosphonium (TMPP) labeling approach (N-TOP) is an efficient N-terminomic approach that allows the characterization of both N-terminal and internal peptides in a single experiment. Due to its permanent positive charge, TMPP labeling strongly affects MS/MS fragmentation resulting in unadapted scoring of TMPP-derivatized peptide spectra by classical search engines. This behavior has led to difficulties in validating TMPP-derivatized peptide identifications with usual score filtering and thus to low/underestimated numbers of identified N-termini. We present herein a new strategy (dN-TOP) that overwhelmed the previous limitation allowing a confident and automated N-terminal peptide validation thanks to a combined labeling with light and heavy TMPP reagents. We show how this double labeling allows increasing the number of validated N-terminal peptides. This strategy represents a considerable improvement to the well-established N-TOP method with an enhanced and accelerated data processing making it now fully compatible with high-throughput proteogenomics studies.

  1. Propeller Belts of Saturn

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-05-10

    This view from NASA's Cassini spacecraft is the sharpest ever taken of belts of the features called propellers in the middle part of Saturn's A ring. The propellers are the small, bright features that look like double dashes, visible on both sides of the wave pattern that crosses the image diagonally from top to bottom. The original discovery of propellers in this region in Saturn's rings was made using several images taken from very close to the rings during Cassini's 2004 arrival at Saturn. Those discovery images were of low resolution and were difficult to interpret, and there were few clues as to how the small propellers seen in those images were related to the larger propellers Cassini observed later in the mission. This image, for the first time, shows swarms of propellers of a wide range of sizes, putting the ones Cassini observed in its Saturn arrival images in context. Scientists will use this information to derive a "particle size distribution" for propeller moons, which is an important clue to their origins. The image was taken using the Cassini spacecraft's narrow-angle camera on April 19. The view was has an image scale of 0.24 mile (385 meters) per pixel, and was taken at a sun-ring-spacecraft angle, or phase angle, of 108 degrees. The view looks toward a point approximately 80,000 miles (129,000 kilometers) from Saturn's center. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21448

  2. Double-beta decay with majoron emission in GERDA Phase I

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hemmer, Sabine

    2015-07-01

    Neutrinoless double-beta decay with emission of one or two majorons (0 νββχ( χ)) is predicted by several beyond-Standard-Model theories. This article reviews the results of a search for 0 νββχ( χ) of 76Ge using data from the Germanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment, located underground at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) in Italy. The analysis comprised data with an exposure of 20.3 kg·yr from the first phase of the experiment. No indication of contributions to the observed energy spectra was detected for any of the majoron models. The lower limit on the half-life for the ordinary majoron model (spectral index n = 1 was determined to be T {1/2/0 νβ } > 4.2 · 1023 yr (90% quantile). This limit and the limits derived for the other majoron modes constitute the most stringent limits on 0 νββχ( χ) decay of 76Ge measured to date.

  3. Measurement of Radon-Induced Backgrounds in the NEXT Double Beta Decay Experiment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Novella, P.; et al.

    The measurement of the internal 222Rn activity in the NEXT-White detector during the so-called Run-II period with 136Xe-depleted xenon is discussed in detail, together with its implications for double beta decay searches in NEXT. The activity is measured through the alpha production rate induced in the fiducial volume by 222Rn and its alpha-emitting progeny. The specific activity is measured to bemore » $$(37.5\\pm 2.3~\\mathrm{(stat.)}\\pm 5.9~\\mathrm{(syst.)})$$~mBq/m$^3$. Radon-induced electrons have also been characterized from the decay of the 214Bi daughter ions plating out on the cathode of the time projection chamber. From our studies, we conclude that radon-induced backgrounds are sufficiently low to enable a successful NEXT-100 physics program, as the projected rate contribution should not exceed 0.2~counts/yr in the neutrinoless double beta decay sample.« less

  4. Simulation of double beta decay in the ''SeXe'' TPC

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mauger, F.

    2007-04-01

    In 2004, the NEMO collaboration has started some preliminary studies for a next-generation double beta decay experiment: SuperNEMO. The possibility to use a large gaseous TPC has been investigated using simulation and extrapolation of former experiments. In this talk, I report on the reasons why such techniques have not been selected in 2004 and led the NEMO collaboration to reuse the techniques implemented within the NEMO3 detector.

  5. Beta-methyl substitution of cyclohexylalanine in Dmt-Tic-Cha-Phe peptides results in highly potent delta opioid antagonists.

    PubMed

    Tóth, Géza; Ioja, Eniko; Tömböly, Csaba; Ballet, Steven; Tourwé, Dirk; Péter, Antal; Martinek, Tamás; Chung, Nga N; Schiller, Peter W; Benyhe, Sándor; Borsodi, Anna

    2007-01-25

    The opioid peptide TIPP (H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH, Tic:1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid) was substituted with Dmt (2',6'-dimethyltyrosine) and a new unnatural amino acid, beta-MeCha (beta-methyl-cyclohexylalanine). This double substitution led to a new series of opioid peptides displaying subnanomolar delta antagonist activity and mu agonist or antagonist properties depending on the configuration of the beta-MeCha residue. The most promising analog, H-Dmt-Tic-(2S,3S)-beta-MeCha-Phe-OH was a very selective delta antagonist both in the mouse vas deferens (MVD) assay (Ke = 0.241 +/- 0.05 nM) and in radioligand binding assay (K i delta = 0.48 +/- 0.05 nM, K i mu/K i delta = 2800). The epimeric peptide H-Dmt-Tic-(2S,3R)-beta-MeCha-Phe-OH and the corresponding peptide amide turned out to be mixed partial mu agonist/delta antagonists in the guinea pig ileum and MVD assays. Our results constitute further examples of the influence of Dmt and beta-methyl substitution as well as C-terminal amidation on the potency, selectivity, and signal transduction properties of TIPP related peptides. Some of these compounds represent valuable pharmacological tools for opioid research.

  6. Calmodulin is a phospholipase C-beta interacting protein.

    PubMed

    McCullar, Jennifer S; Larsen, Shana A; Millimaki, Ryan A; Filtz, Theresa M

    2003-09-05

    Phospholipase C-beta 3 (PLC beta 3) is an important effector enzyme in G protein-coupled signaling pathways. Activation of PLC beta 3 by G alpha and G beta gamma subunits has been fairly well characterized, but little is known about other protein interactions that may also regulate PLC beta 3 function. A yeast two-hybrid screen of a mouse brain cDNA library with the amino terminus of PLC beta 3 has yielded potential PLC beta 3 interacting proteins including calmodulin (CaM). Physical interaction between CaM and PLC beta 3 is supported by a positive secondary screen in yeast and the identification of a CaM binding site in the amino terminus of PLC beta 3. Co-precipitation of in vitro translated and transcribed amino- and carboxyl-terminal PLC beta 3 revealed CaM binding at a putative amino-terminal binding site. Direct physical interaction of PLC beta 3 and PLC beta 1 isoforms with CaM is supported by pull-down of both isoenzymes with CaM-Sepharose beads from 1321N1 cell lysates. CaM inhibitors reduced M1-muscarinic receptor stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in 1321N1 astrocytoma cells consistent with a physiologic role for CaM in modulation of PLC beta activity. There was no effect of CaM kinase II inhibitors, KN-93 and KN-62, on M1-muscarinic receptor stimulation of inositol phosphate hydrolysis, consistent with a direct interaction between PLC beta isoforms and CaM.

  7. Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging.

    PubMed

    McDonald, A D; Jones, B J P; Nygren, D R; Adams, C; Álvarez, V; Azevedo, C D R; Benlloch-Rodríguez, J M; Borges, F I G M; Botas, A; Cárcel, S; Carrión, J V; Cebrián, S; Conde, C A N; Díaz, J; Diesburg, M; Escada, J; Esteve, R; Felkai, R; Fernandes, L M P; Ferrario, P; Ferreira, A L; Freitas, E D C; Goldschmidt, A; Gómez-Cadenas, J J; González-Díaz, D; Gutiérrez, R M; Guenette, R; Hafidi, K; Hauptman, J; Henriques, C A O; Hernandez, A I; Hernando Morata, J A; Herrero, V; Johnston, S; Labarga, L; Laing, A; Lebrun, P; Liubarsky, I; López-March, N; Losada, M; Martín-Albo, J; Martínez-Lema, G; Martínez, A; Monrabal, F; Monteiro, C M B; Mora, F J; Moutinho, L M; Muñoz Vidal, J; Musti, M; Nebot-Guinot, M; Novella, P; Palmeiro, B; Para, A; Pérez, J; Querol, M; Repond, J; Renner, J; Riordan, S; Ripoll, L; Rodríguez, J; Rogers, L; Santos, F P; Dos Santos, J M F; Simón, A; Sofka, C; Sorel, M; Stiegler, T; Toledo, J F; Torrent, J; Tsamalaidze, Z; Veloso, J F C A; Webb, R; White, J T; Yahlali, N

    2018-03-30

    A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double-beta decay of ^{136}Xe is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba^{++}) resolution at a transparent scanning surface is demonstrated. A single-step photobleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with superresolution (∼2  nm), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9σ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double-beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.

  8. Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McDonald, A. D.; Jones, B. J. P.; Nygren, D. R.; Adams, C.; Álvarez, V.; Azevedo, C. D. R.; Benlloch-Rodríguez, J. M.; Borges, F. I. G. M.; Botas, A.; Cárcel, S.; Carrión, J. V.; Cebrián, S.; Conde, C. A. N.; Díaz, J.; Diesburg, M.; Escada, J.; Esteve, R.; Felkai, R.; Fernandes, L. M. P.; Ferrario, P.; Ferreira, A. L.; Freitas, E. D. C.; Goldschmidt, A.; Gómez-Cadenas, J. J.; González-Díaz, D.; Gutiérrez, R. M.; Guenette, R.; Hafidi, K.; Hauptman, J.; Henriques, C. A. O.; Hernandez, A. I.; Hernando Morata, J. A.; Herrero, V.; Johnston, S.; Labarga, L.; Laing, A.; Lebrun, P.; Liubarsky, I.; López-March, N.; Losada, M.; Martín-Albo, J.; Martínez-Lema, G.; Martínez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Monteiro, C. M. B.; Mora, F. J.; Moutinho, L. M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Musti, M.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Para, A.; Pérez, J.; Querol, M.; Repond, J.; Renner, J.; Riordan, S.; Ripoll, L.; Rodríguez, J.; Rogers, L.; Santos, F. P.; dos Santos, J. M. F.; Simón, A.; Sofka, C.; Sorel, M.; Stiegler, T.; Toledo, J. F.; Torrent, J.; Tsamalaidze, Z.; Veloso, J. F. C. A.; Webb, R.; White, J. T.; Yahlali, N.; NEXT Collaboration

    2018-03-01

    A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double-beta decay of Xe 136 is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba++ ) resolution at a transparent scanning surface is demonstrated. A single-step photobleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with superresolution (˜2 nm ), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9 σ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double-beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.

  9. Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay of with CUORE-0

    DOE PAGES

    Alfonso, K.; Artusa, D.  R.; F. T. Avignone; ...

    2015-09-03

    We report the results of a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in a 9.8 kg yr exposure of 130Te using a bolometric detector array, CUORE-0. The characteristic detector energy resolution and background level in the region of interest are 5.1 ± 0.3 keV FWHM and 0.058 ± 0.004 (stat.) ± 0:002 (syst.) counts/(keV kg yr), respectively. The median 90% C.L. lower-limit sensitivity of the experiment is 2.9 x 10 24 yr and surpasses the sensitivity of previous searches. We find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 130Te and place a Bayesian lower bound on the decay half-life, T 0more » $$_1$$ 1/2 > 2.7 x 10 24 yr at 90% C.L. Combining CUORE-0 data with the 19.75 kg yr exposure of 130Te from the Cuoricino experiment we obtain T 0$$_1$$ 1/2 > 4.0 x 10 24 yr at 90% C.L. (Bayesian), the most stringent limit to date on this half-life. Using a range of nuclear matrix element estimates we interpret this as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, m ββ < 270 - 760 meV.« less

  10. Combustion chemistry of solid propellants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baer, A. D.; Ryan, N. W.

    1974-01-01

    Several studies are described of the chemistry of solid propellant combustion which employed a fast-scanning optical spectrometer. Expanded abstracts are presented for four of the studies which were previously reported. One study of the ignition of composite propellants yielded data which suggested early ammonium perchlorate decomposition and reaction. The results of a study of the spatial distribution of molecular species in flames from uncatalyzed and copper or lead catalyzed double-based propellants support previously published conclusions concerning the site of action of these metal catalysts. A study of the ammonium-perchlorate-polymeric-fuel-binder reaction in thin films, made by use of infrared absorption spectrometry, yielded a characterization of a rapid condensed-phase reaction which is likely important during the ignition transient and the burning process.

  11. Double-beta decay investigation with highly pure enriched $$^{82}$$Se for the LUCIFER experiment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Beeman, J. W.; Bellini, F.; Benetti, P.

    2015-12-13

    The LUCIFER project aims at deploying the first array of enriched scintillating bolometers for the investigation of neutrinoless double-beta decay of 82Se. The matrix which embeds the source is an array of ZnSe crystals, where enriched 82Se is used as decay isotope. The radiopurity of the initial components employed for manufacturing crystals, that can be operated as bolometers, is crucial for achieving a null background level in the region of interest for double-beta decay investigations. In this work, we evaluated the radioactive content in 2.5 kg of 96.3 % enriched 82Se metal, measured with a high-purity germanium detector at themore » Gran Sasso deep underground laboratory. The limits on internal contaminations of primordial decay chain elements of 232Th, 238U and 235U are respectively: <61, <110 and <74 μBq/kg at 90 % C.L. The extremely low-background conditions in which the measurement was carried out and the high radiopurity of the 82Se allowed us to establish the most stringent lower limits on the half-lives of the double-beta decay of 82Se to 0+1, 2+2 and 2+1 excited states of 82Kr of 3.4•10 22, 1.3•10 22 and 1.0•10 22 y, respectively, with a 90 % C.L.« less

  12. Stability of transgene integration and expression in subsequent generations of doubled haploid oilseed rape transformed with chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase genes in a double-gene construct.

    PubMed

    Melander, Margareta; Kamnert, Iréne; Happstadius, Ingrid; Liljeroth, Erland; Bryngelsson, Tomas

    2006-09-01

    A double-gene construct with one chitinase and one beta-1,3-glucanase gene from barley, both driven by enhanced 35S promoters, was transformed into oilseed rape. From six primary transformants expressing both transgenes 10 doubled haploid lines were produced and studied for five generations. The number of inserted copies for both the genes was determined by Southern blotting and real-time PCR with full agreement between the two methods. When copy numbers were analysed in different generations, discrepancies were found, indicating that at least part of the inserted sequences were lost in one of the alleles of some doubled haploids. Chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase expression was analysed by Western blotting in all five doubled haploid generations. Despite that both the genes were present on the same T-DNA and directed by the same promoter their expression pattern between generations was different. The beta-1,3-glucanase was expressed at high and stable levels in all generations, while the chitinase displayed lower expression that varied between generations. The transgenic plants did not show any major impact on fungal resistance when assayed in greenhouse, although purified beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase caused retardment of fungal growth in vitro.

  13. Inverse Beta Decay Reconstruction in the Double Chooz Monte Carlo

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Norrick, Anne

    2010-02-01

    The Double Chooz Experiment will search for neutrino oscillations using the ``Inverse Beta-Decay'' (IBD) interactions of electron antineutrinos from a nuclear reactor in Chooz, France. The experiment needs to isolate IBD events by detecting and reconstructing the positions and deposited energies of the outgoing positron and neutron. Methods for isolating this process will be described. In addition, results of simulation studies of two different reconstruction algorithms will be presented and their performances compared. )

  14. Preferential accumulation of amyloid-beta in presynaptic glutamatergic terminals (VGluT1 and VGluT2) in Alzheimer’s disease cortex

    PubMed Central

    Sokolow, Sophie; Luu, Sanh H.; Nandy, Karabi; Miller, Carol A.; Vinters, Harry V.; Poon, Wayne W.; Gylys, Karen H.

    2011-01-01

    Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is thought to play a central role in synaptic dysfunction (e.g. neurotransmitter release) and synapse loss. Glutamatergic dysfunction is involved in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and perhaps plays a central role in age-related cognitive impairment. Yet, it is largely unknown whether Aβ accumulates in excitatory boutons. To assess the possibility that glutamatergic terminals are lost in AD patients, control and AD synaptosomes were immunolabeled for the most abundant vesicular glutamate transporters (VGluT1 and VGluT2) and quantified by flow cytometry and immunoblot methods. In post-mortem parietal cortex from aged control subjects, glutamatergic boutons are fairly abundant as approximately 40% were immunoreactive for VGluT1 (37%) and VGluT2 (39%). However, the levels of these specific markers of glutamatergic synapses were not significantly different among control and AD cases. To test the hypothesis that Aβ is associated with excitatory terminals, AD synaptosomes were double-labeled for Aβ and for VGluT1 and VGluT2, and analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Our study demonstrated that Aβ immunoreactivity (IR) was present in glutamatergic terminals of AD patients. Quantification of Aβ and VGluT1 in a large population of glutamatergic nerve terminals was performed by flow cytometry, showing that 42% of VGluT1 synaptosomes were immunoreactive for Aβ compared to 9% of VGluT1 synaptosomes lacking Aβ-IR. Percentage of VGluT2 synaptosomes immunoreactive for Aβ (21%) was significantly higher than VGluT2 synaptosomes lacking Aβ-IR (9%). Moreover, Aβ preferentially affects VGluT1 (42% positive) compared to VGluT2 terminals (21%). These data represent the first evidence of high levels of Aβ in excitatory boutons in AD cortex and support the hypothesis that Aβ may play a role in modulating glutamate transmission in AD terminals. PMID:21914482

  15. Assembly of the stator in Escherichia coli ATP synthase. Complexation of alpha subunit with other F1 subunits is prerequisite for delta subunit binding to the N-terminal region of alpha

    PubMed Central

    Senior, Alan E.; Muharemagi, Alma; Wilke-Mounts, Susan

    2008-01-01

    Alpha subunit of Escherichia coli ATP synthase was expressed with a C-terminal 6-His tag and purified. Pure alpha was monomeric, competent in nucleotide binding, and had normal N-terminal sequence. In F1-subunit dissociation/reassociation experiments it supported full reconstitution of ATPase, and reassociated complexes were able to bind to F1-depleted membranes with restoration of ATP-driven proton pumping. Therefore interaction between the stator delta subunit and the N-terminal residue 1-22 region of alpha occurred normally when pure alpha was complexed with other F1 subunits. On the other hand, three different types of experiment showed that no interaction occurred between pure delta and isolated alpha subunit. Unlike in F1, the N-terminal region of isolated alpha was not susceptible to trypsin cleavage. Therefore, during assembly of ATP synthase, complexation of alpha subunit with other F1 subunits is prerequisite for delta subunit binding to the N-terminal region of alpha. We suggest that the N-terminal 1-22 residues of alpha are sequestered in isolated alpha until released by binding of beta to alpha subunit. This prevents 1/1 delta/alpha complexes from forming, and provides a satisfactory explanation of the stoichiometry of one delta per three alpha seen in the F1 sector of ATP synthase, assuming that steric hindrance prevents binding of more than one delta to the alpha3/beta3 hexagon. The cytoplasmic fragment of the b subunit (bsol) did not bind to isolated alpha. It might also be that complexation of alpha with beta subunits is prerequisite for direct binding of stator b subunit to the F1-sector. PMID:17176112

  16. Compartmentalized beta subunit distribution determines characteristics and ethanol sensitivity of somatic, dendritic, and terminal large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in the rat central nervous system.

    PubMed

    Wynne, P M; Puig, S I; Martin, G E; Treistman, S N

    2009-06-01

    Neurons are highly differentiated and polarized cells, whose various functions depend upon the compartmentalization of ion channels. The rat hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system (HNS), in which cell bodies and dendrites reside in the hypothalamus, physically separated from their nerve terminals in the neurohypophysis, provides a particularly powerful preparation in which to study the distribution and regional properties of ion channel proteins. Using electrophysiological and immunohistochemical techniques, we characterized the large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel in each of the three primary compartments (soma, dendrite, and terminal) of HNS neurons. We found that dendritic BK channels, in common with somatic channels but in contrast to nerve terminal channels, are insensitive to iberiotoxin. Furthermore, analysis of dendritic BK channel gating kinetics indicates that they, like somatic channels, have fast activation kinetics, in contrast to the slow gating of terminal channels. Dendritic and somatic channels are also more sensitive to calcium and have a greater conductance than terminal channels. Finally, although terminal BK channels are highly potentiated by ethanol, somatic and dendritic channels are insensitive to the drug. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of somatic and dendritic versus nerve terminal channels are consistent with the characteristics of exogenously expressed alphabeta1 versus alphabeta4 channels, respectively. Therefore, one possible explanation for our findings is a selective distribution of auxiliary beta1 subunits to the somatic and dendritic compartments and beta4 to the terminal compartment. This hypothesis is supported immunohistochemically by the appearance of distinct punctate beta1 or beta4 channel clusters in the membrane of somatic and dendritic or nerve terminal compartments, respectively.

  17. Folding control in cyclic peptides through N-methylation pattern selection: formation of antiparallel beta-sheet dimers, double reverse turns and supramolecular helices by 3alpha,gamma cyclic peptides.

    PubMed

    Amorín, Manuel; Castedo, Luis; Granja, Juan R

    2008-01-01

    Peptide foldamers constitute a growing class of nanomaterials with potential applications in a wide variety of chemical, medical and technological fields. Here we describe the preparation and structural characteristics of a new class of cyclic peptide foldamers (3alpha,gamma-CPs) that, depending on their backbone N-methylation patterns and the medium, can either remain as flat rings that dimerize through arrays of hydrogen bonds of antiparallel beta-sheet type, or can fold into twisted double reverse turns that, in the case of double gamma-turns, associate in nonpolar solvents to form helical supramolecular structures. A 3alpha,gamma-CP consists of a number of multiples of a repeat unit made up of four amino acid residues of alternating chirality: three corresponding to alpha-amino acids and one to a gamma-amino acid (a cis-3-aminocycloalkanecarboxylic acid).

  18. Hamiltonian Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods for the CUORE Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Sensitivity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Graham, Eleanor; Cuore Collaboration

    2017-09-01

    The CUORE experiment is a large-scale bolometric detector seeking to observe the never-before-seen process of neutrinoless double beta decay. Predictions for CUORE's sensitivity to neutrinoless double beta decay allow for an understanding of the half-life ranges that the detector can probe, and also to evaluate the relative importance of different detector parameters. Currently, CUORE uses a Bayesian analysis based in BAT, which uses Metropolis-Hastings Markov Chain Monte Carlo, for its sensitivity studies. My work evaluates the viability and potential improvements of switching the Bayesian analysis to Hamiltonian Monte Carlo, realized through the program Stan and its Morpho interface. I demonstrate that the BAT study can be successfully recreated in Stan, and perform a detailed comparison between the results and computation times of the two methods.

  19. Single molecule fluorescence imaging as a technique for barium tagging in neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jones, B. J. P.; McDonald, A. D.; Nygren, D. R.

    2016-12-01

    Background rejection is key to success for future neutrinoless double beta decay experiments. To achieve sensitivity to effective Majorana lifetimes of ~ 1028 years, backgrounds must be controlled to better than 0.1 count per ton per year, beyond the reach of any present technology. In this paper we propose a new method to identify the birth of the barium daughter ion in the neutrinoless double beta decay of 136Xe. The method adapts Single Molecule Fluorescent Imaging, a technique from biochemistry research with demonstrated single ion sensitivity. We explore possible SMFI dyes suitable for the problem of barium ion detection in high pressure xenon gas, and develop a fiber-coupled sensing system with which we can detect the presence of bulk Ba++ ions remotely. We show that our sensor produces signal-to-background ratios as high as 85 in response to Ba++ ions when operated in aqueous solution. We then describe the next stage of this R&D program, which will be to demonstrate chelation and fluorescence in xenon gas. If a successful barium ion tag can be developed using SMFI adapted for high pressure xenon gas detectors, the first essentially zero background, ton-scale neutrinoless double beta decay technology could be realized.

  20. Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging

    DOE PAGES

    McDonald, A. D.; Jones, B. J. P.; Nygren, D. R.; ...

    2018-03-26

    A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double beta decay ofmore » $$^{136}$$Xe is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba$$^{++}$$) resolution at a transparent scanning surface has been demonstrated. A single-step photo-bleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with super-resolution ($$\\sim$$2~nm), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9~$$\\sigma$$ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.« less

  1. RNA circularization reveals terminal sequence heterogeneity in a double-stranded RNA virus.

    PubMed

    Widmer, G

    1993-03-01

    Double-stranded RNA viruses (dsRNA), termed LRV1, have been found in several strains of the protozoan parasite Leishmania. With the aim of constructing a full-length cDNA copy of the viral genome, including its terminal sequences, a protocol based on PCR amplification across the 3'-5' junction of circularized RNA was developed. This method proved to be applicable to dsRNA. It provided a relatively simple alternative to one-sided PCR, without loss of specificity inherent in the use of generic primers. LRV1 terminal nucleotide sequences obtained by this method showed a considerable variation in length, particularly at the 5' end of the positive strand, as well as the potential for forming 3' overhangs. The opposite genomic end terminates in 0, 1, or 2 TCA trinucleotide repeats. These results are compared with terminal sequences derived from one-sided PCR experiments.

  2. Gamow-Teller strength observed in the 48Ti(n, p) 48Sc reaction: Implications for the double beta decay of 48Ca

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alford, W. P.; Helmer, R. L.; Abegg, R.; Celler, A.; Frekers, D.; Green, P.; Häusser, O.; Henderson, R.; Hicks, K.; Jackson, K. P.; Jeppesen, R.; Miller, C. A.; Trudel, A.; Vetterli, M.; Yen, S.; Pourang, R.; Watson, J.; Brown, B. A.; Engel, J.

    1990-07-01

    Cross sections for the 48Ti(n, p) reaction have been measured at angles of 0°, 6°, and 12° at an energy of 200 MeV. The measurements are compared with results of DWIA calculations to obtain estimates of transition strengths for L = 0, 1, and ⩾2 up to an excitation energy of 25 MeV. Gamow-Teller strength ( L = 0) is peaked between 3 and 4 MeV excitation energy, with a significant distribution extending to about 12 MeV. The L = 1 strength is found mainly between 6 and 20 MeV while the cross section for transitions with L ⩾2 increases from 10 MeV to the upper limit of the measurements. The distribution of Gamow-Teller strength is in poor agreement with theoretical distributions used to calculate the lifetime for double beta decay of 48Ca.

  3. [Mechanical properties of polylactic acid/beta-tricalcium phosphate composite scaffold with double channels based on three-dimensional printing technique].

    PubMed

    Lian, Qin; Zhuang, Pei; Li, Changhai; Jin, Zhongmin; Li, Dichen

    2014-03-01

    To improve the poor mechanical strength of porous ceramic scaffold, an integrated method based on three-dimensional (3-D) printing technique is developed to incorporate the controlled double-channel porous structure into the polylactic acid/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PLA/beta-TCP) reinforced composite scaffolds (double-channel composite scaffold) to improve their tissue regeneration capability and the mechanical properties. The designed double-channel structure inside the ceramic scaffold consisted of both primary and secondary micropipes, which parallel but un-connected. The set of primary channels was used for cell ingrowth, while the set of secondary channels was used for the PLA perfusion. Integration technology of 3-D printing technique and gel-casting was firstly used to fabricate the double-channel ceramic scaffolds. PLA/beta-TCP composite scaffolds were obtained by the polymer gravity perfusion process to pour PLA solution into the double-channel ceramic scaffolds through the secondary channel set. Microscope, porosity, and mechanical experiments for the standard samples were used to evaluate the composite properties. The ceramic scaffold with only the primary channel (single-channel scaffold) was also prepared as a control. Morphology observation results showed that there was no PLA inside the primary channels of the double-channel composite scaffolds but a dense interface layer between PLA and beta-TCP obviously formed on the inner wall of the secondary channels by the PLA penetration during the perfusion process. Finite element simulation found that the compressive strength of the double-channel composite scaffold was less than that of the single-channel scaffold; however, mechanical tests found that the maximum compressive strength of the double-channel composite scaffold [(21.25 +/- 1.15) MPa] was higher than that of the single-channel scaffold[ (9.76 +/- 0.64) MPa]. The double-channel composite scaffolds fabricated by 3-D printing technique have

  4. Identification of functional domains within the alpha and beta subunits of beta-hexosaminidase A through the expression of alpha-beta fusion proteins.

    PubMed

    Tse, R; Wu, Y J; Vavougios, G; Hou, Y; Hinek, A; Mahuran, D J

    1996-08-20

    There are three human beta-hexosaminidase isozymes which are composed of all possible dimeric combinations of an alpha and/or a beta subunit; A (alpha beta), and B (beta beta), and S (alpha alpha). The amino acid sequences of the two subunits are 60% identical. The homology between the two chains varies with the middle > the carboxy-terminal > > the amino-terminal portions. Although dimerization is required for activity, each subunit contains its own active site and differs in its substrate specificity and thermal stability. The presence of the beta subunit in hexosaminidase A also influences the substrate specificity of the alpha subunit; e.g., in vivo only the A heterodimer can hydrolyze GM2 ganglioside. In this report, we localize functional regions in the two subunits by cellular expression of alpha/beta fusion proteins joined at adjacently aligned residues. First, a chimeric alpha/beta chain was made by replacing the least well-conserved amino-terminal section of the beta chain with the corresponding alpha section. The biochemical characteristics of this protein were nearly identical to hexosaminidase B. Therefore, the most dissimilar regions in the subunits are not responsible for their dissimilar biochemical properties. A second fusion protein was made that also included the more homologous middle section of the alpha chain. This protein expressed the substrate specificity unique to isozymes containing an alpha subunit (A and S). We conclude that the region responsible for the ability of the alpha subunit to bind negatively charged substrates is located within residues alpha 132-283. Interestingly, the remaining carboxy-terminal section from the beta chain, beta 316-556, was sufficient to allow this chimera to hydrolyze GM2 ganglioside with 10% the specific activity of heterodimeric hexosaminidase A. Thus, the carboxy-terminal section of each subunit is likely involved in subunit-subunit interactions.

  5. Weak decays and double beta decay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nicholson, H.W.

    1983-08-01

    Work to measure the ..sigma../sup +/ 0 degree differential cross section in the reaction K/sup -/p ..-->.. ..sigma../sup +/..pi../sup -/ at several incident K/sup -/ momenta between 600 and 800 MeV/c as well as the asymmetries in the decays of polarized ..sigma../sup +/'s into protons and neutral pions and of polarized ..sigma../sup -/'s into neutrons and negative pions in collaboration with experimenters from Yale, Brookhaven, and the University of Pittsburgh (Brookhaven experiment 702) has been completed. Data from this experiment is currently being analyzed at Yale. Work is currently underway to develop and construct an experiment to search for neutrinolessmore » double beta decay in thin foils of Mo/sup 100/ in collaboration with experimenters from Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Development work on the solid state silicon detectors should be complete in the next six months and construction should e well underway within the next year.« less

  6. The Damage Law of HTPB Propellant under Thermomechanical Loading

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Cheng-wu; Yang, Jian-hong; Wang, Xian-meng; Ma, Yong-kang

    2016-01-01

    By way of measuring the acoustic emission (AE) signals of Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant in condition of uniform speed, and combined with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture surface observation, the damage law of HTPB composite solid propellant under thermomechanical loading was studied. The results show that the effects of thermomechanical loading on HTPB propellant are related to the time and can be divided into three different stages. In the first stage, thermal air aging dominates; in the second stage, interface damage is dominant; and in the third stage, thermal air aging is once again dominant.

  7. Protection against β-amyloid neurotoxicity by a non-toxic endogenous N-terminal β-amyloid fragment and its active hexapeptide core sequence.

    PubMed

    Forest, Kelly H; Alfulaij, Naghum; Arora, Komal; Taketa, Ruth; Sherrin, Tessi; Todorovic, Cedomir; Lawrence, James L M; Yoshikawa, Gene T; Ng, Ho-Leung; Hruby, Victor J; Nichols, Robert A

    2018-01-01

    High levels (μM) of beta amyloid (Aβ) oligomers are known to trigger neurotoxic effects, leading to synaptic impairment, behavioral deficits, and apoptotic cell death. The hydrophobic C-terminal domain of Aβ, together with sequences critical for oligomer formation, is essential for this neurotoxicity. However, Aβ at low levels (pM-nM) has been shown to function as a positive neuromodulator and this activity resides in the hydrophilic N-terminal domain of Aβ. An N-terminal Aβ fragment (1-15/16), found in cerebrospinal fluid, was also shown to be a highly active neuromodulator and to reverse Aβ-induced impairments of long-term potentiation. Here, we show the impact of this N-terminal Aβ fragment and a shorter hexapeptide core sequence in the Aβ fragment (Aβcore: 10-15) to protect or reverse Aβ-induced neuronal toxicity, fear memory deficits and apoptotic death. The neuroprotective effects of the N-terminal Aβ fragment and Aβcore on Aβ-induced changes in mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and apoptotic neuronal death were demonstrated via mitochondrial membrane potential, live reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation and cell survival assays using a model neuroblastoma cell line (differentiated NG108-15) and mouse hippocampal neuron cultures. The protective action of the N-terminal Aβ fragment and Aβcore against spatial memory processing deficits in amyloid precursor protein/PSEN1 (5XFAD) mice was demonstrated in contextual fear conditioning. Stabilized derivatives of the N-terminal Aβcore were also shown to be fully protective against Aβ-triggered oxidative stress. Together, these findings indicate an endogenous neuroprotective role for the N-terminal Aβ fragment, while active stabilized N-terminal Aβcore derivatives offer the potential for therapeutic application. © 2017 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  8. Preferential accumulation of amyloid-beta in presynaptic glutamatergic terminals (VGluT1 and VGluT2) in Alzheimer's disease cortex.

    PubMed

    Sokolow, Sophie; Luu, Sanh H; Nandy, Karabi; Miller, Carol A; Vinters, Harry V; Poon, Wayne W; Gylys, Karen H

    2012-01-01

    Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is thought to play a central role in synaptic dysfunction (e.g. neurotransmitter release) and synapse loss. Glutamatergic dysfunction is involved in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and perhaps plays a central role in age-related cognitive impairment. Yet, it is largely unknown whether Aβ accumulates in excitatory boutons. To assess the possibility that glutamatergic terminals are lost in AD patients, control and AD synaptosomes were immunolabeled for the most abundant vesicular glutamate transporters (VGluT1 and VGluT2) and quantified by flow cytometry and immunoblot methods. In post-mortem parietal cortex from aged control subjects, glutamatergic boutons are fairly abundant as approximately 40% were immunoreactive for VGluT1 (37%) and VGluT2 (39%). However, the levels of these specific markers of glutamatergic synapses were not significantly different among control and AD cases. To test the hypothesis that Aβ is associated with excitatory terminals, AD synaptosomes were double-labeled for Aβ and for VGluT1 and VGluT2, and analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Our study demonstrated that Aβ immunoreactivity (IR) was present in glutamatergic terminals of AD patients. Quantification of Aβ and VGluT1 in a large population of glutamatergic nerve terminals was performed by flow cytometry, showing that 42% of VGluT1 synaptosomes were immunoreactive for Aβ compared to 9% of VGluT1 synaptosomes lacking Aβ-IR. Percentage of VGluT2 synaptosomes immunoreactive for Aβ (21%) was significantly higher than VGluT2 synaptosomes lacking Aβ-IR (9%). Moreover, Aβ preferentially affects VGluT1 (42% positive) compared to VGluT2 terminals (21%). These data represent the first evidence of high levels of Aβ in excitatory boutons in AD cortex and support the hypothesis that Aβ may play a role in modulating glutamate transmission in AD terminals. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. The carboxyl-terminal region is a determinant for the intracellular behavior of the chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit: effects on the processing of the Asn-linked oligosaccharides.

    PubMed

    Muyan, M; Boime, I

    1998-05-01

    The placental hormone human CG (hCG) consists of two noncovalently linked alpha- and beta-subunits similar to the other glycoprotein hormones LH, FSH, and TSH. These heterodimers share a common alpha subunit but differ in their structurally distinct beta subunits. The CGbeta subunit is distinguished among the beta subunits by the presence of a C-terminal extension with four serine-linked oligosaccharides (carboxyl terminal peptide or CTP). In previous studies we observed that deleting this sequence decreased assembly of the truncated CGbeta subunit (CGbeta114) with the alpha-subunit and increased the heterogeneity of the secreted forms of the uncombined subunit synthesized in transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The latter result was attributed to alterations in the processing of the two N-linked oligosaccharides. To examine at what step this heterogeneity occurs, the CGbeta and CGbeta114 genes were transfected into wild-type and mutant CHO cell lines that are defective in the late steps of the N-linked carbohydrate-processing pathway. We show here that removal of the CTP alters the processing of the core mannosyl unit of the subunit to complex forms at both glycosylation sites and that the oligosaccharides contain polylactosamine. Although it has been presumed that there is little intramolecular interaction between the CTP and the proximal domains of the subunit, our data suggest that the CTP sequence participates in the folding of the newly synthesized subunit, which is manifest by the posttranslational changes observed here.

  10. Neutron capture cross-section studies of Tellurium isotopes for neutrinoless double beta decay applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhike, Megha; Tornow, Werner

    2014-09-01

    The CUORE detector at Gran Sasso, aimed at searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 130Te, employs an array of TeO2 bolometer modules. To understand and identify the contribution of muon and (α,n) induced neutrons to the CUORE background, fast neutron cature cross-section data of the tellurium isotopes 126Te, 128Te and 130Te have been measured with the activation method at eight different energies in the neutron energy range 0.5-7.5 MeV. Plastic pill boxes of diameter 1.6 cm and width 1 cm containing Te were irradiated with mono-energetic neutrons produced via the 3H(p,n)3He and 2H(d,n)3He reactions. The cross-sections were determined relative to the 197Au(n, γ)198Au and 115In(n,n')115m In standard cross sections. The activities of the products were measured using 60% lead-shielded HPGe detectors at TUNL's low background counting facility. The present results are compared with the evaluated data from TENDL-2012, ENDF/B-VII.1, JEFF-3.2 and JENDL-4.0, as well as with literature data.

  11. Peptide fragments of a beta-defensin derivative with potent bactericidal activity.

    PubMed

    Reynolds, Natalie L; De Cecco, Martin; Taylor, Karen; Stanton, Chloe; Kilanowski, Fiona; Kalapothakis, Jason; Seo, Emily; Uhrin, Dusan; Campopiano, Dominic; Govan, John; Macmillan, Derek; Barran, Perdita; Dorin, Julia R

    2010-05-01

    Beta-defensins are known to be both antimicrobial and able to chemoattract various immune cells. Although the sequences of paralogous genes are not highly conserved, the core defensin structure is retained. Defb14-1C(V) has bactericidal activity similar to that of its parent peptide (murine beta-defensin Defb14) despite all but one of the canonical six cysteines being replaced with alanines. The 23-amino-acid N-terminal half of Defb14-1C(V) is a potent antimicrobial while the C-terminal half is not. Here, we use a library of peptide derivatives to demonstrate that the antimicrobial activity can be localized to a particular region. Overlapping fragments of the N-terminal region were tested for their ability to kill Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We demonstrate that the most N-terminal fragments (amino acids 1 to 10 and 6 to 17) are potent antimicrobials against Gram-negative bacteria whereas fragments based on sequence more C terminal than amino acid 13 have very poor activity against both Gram-positive and -negative types. We further test a series of N-terminal deletion peptides in both their monomeric and dimeric forms. We find that bactericidal activity is lost against both Gram types as the deletion region increases, with the point at which this occurs varying between bacterial strains. The dimeric form of the peptides is more resistant to the peptide deletions, but this is not due just to increased charge. Our results indicate that the primary sequence, together with structure, is essential in the bactericidal action of this beta-defensin derivative peptide and importantly identifies a short fragment from the peptide that is a potent bactericide.

  12. Purification of telluric acid for SNO+ neutrinoless double-beta decay search

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hans, S.; Rosero, R.; Hu, L.; Chkvorets, O.; Chan, W. T.; Guan, S.; Beriguete, W.; Wright, A.; Ford, R.; Chen, M. C.; Biller, S.; Yeh, M.

    2015-09-01

    Tellurium-130 has the highest natural abundance of any double-beta decay isotopes. Recently it has been developed as a promising candidate for loading in liquid scintillator to explore the Majorana or Dirac nature of the neutrino through a search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ). To this end, procedures have been developed to transfer tellurium ions into the organic liquid by a water-based loading technology. However, traces of naturally occurring radioactivity and cosmic-ray induced isotopes introduced into the scintillator with tellurium could produce undesirable contaminations in the 130Te 0νββ region. Measurements using various elemental spikes prepared from different chemical forms indicate that the uses of self-scavenging as well as acid and thermal recrystallization prior to the preparation of a tellurium-loaded liquid scintillator can deplete U and Th and several cosmic-activated isotopes from Te feedstock by a factor of 102-103 in a single pass. The process is also found to improve the optical transmission in the blue region, sensible to the photomultiplier tube, by removing traces of colored impurities. In addition to the scintillator-based experiments, this cleansing scheme has potential applications to the production of radiopure tellurium crystals for other rare-event experiments.

  13. Mutational analysis of the folding transition state of the C-terminal domain of ribosomal protein L9: a protein with an unusual beta-sheet topology.

    PubMed

    Li, Ying; Gupta, Ruchi; Cho, Jae-Hyun; Raleigh, Daniel P

    2007-01-30

    The C-terminal domain of ribosomal protein L9 (CTL9) is a 92-residue alpha-beta protein which contains an unusual three-stranded mixed parallel and antiparallel beta-sheet. The protein folds in a two-state fashion, and the folding rate is slow. It is thought that the slow folding may be caused by the necessity of forming this unusual beta-sheet architecture in the transition state for folding. This hypothesis makes CTL9 an interesting target for folding studies. The transition state for the folding of CTL9 was characterized by phi-value analysis. The folding of a set of hydrophobic core mutants was analyzed together with a set of truncation mutants. The results revealed a few positions with high phi-values (> or = 0.5), notably, V131, L133, H134, V137, and L141. All of these residues were found in the beta-hairpin region, indicating that the formation of this structure is likely to be the rate-limiting step in the folding of CTL9. One face of the beta-hairpin docks against the N-terminal helix. Analysis of truncation mutants of this helix confirmed its importance in folding. Mutations at other sites in the protein gave small phi-values, despite the fact that some of them had major effects on stability. The analysis indicates that formation of the antiparallel hairpin is critical and its interactions with the first helix are also important. Thus, the slow folding is not a consequence of the need to fully form the unusual three-stranded beta-sheet in the transition state. Analysis of the urea dependence of the folding rates indicates that mutations modulate the unfolded state. The folding of CTL9 is broadly consistent with the nucleation-condensation model of protein folding.

  14. Multiple quay cranes scheduling for double cycling in container terminals

    PubMed Central

    Chu, Yanling; Zhang, Xiaoju; Yang, Zhongzhen

    2017-01-01

    Double cycling is an efficient tool to increase the efficiency of quay crane (QC) in container terminals. In this paper, an optimization model for double cycling is developed to optimize the operation sequence of multiple QCs. The objective is to minimize the makespan of the ship handling operation considering the ship balance constraint. To solve the model, an algorithm based on Lagrangian relaxation is designed. Finally, we compare the efficiency of the Lagrangian relaxation based heuristic with the branch-and-bound method and a genetic algorithm using instances of different sizes. The results of numerical experiments indicate that the proposed model can effectively reduce the unloading and loading times of QCs. The effects of the ship balance constraint are more notable when the number of QCs is high. PMID:28692699

  15. Multiple quay cranes scheduling for double cycling in container terminals.

    PubMed

    Chu, Yanling; Zhang, Xiaoju; Yang, Zhongzhen

    2017-01-01

    Double cycling is an efficient tool to increase the efficiency of quay crane (QC) in container terminals. In this paper, an optimization model for double cycling is developed to optimize the operation sequence of multiple QCs. The objective is to minimize the makespan of the ship handling operation considering the ship balance constraint. To solve the model, an algorithm based on Lagrangian relaxation is designed. Finally, we compare the efficiency of the Lagrangian relaxation based heuristic with the branch-and-bound method and a genetic algorithm using instances of different sizes. The results of numerical experiments indicate that the proposed model can effectively reduce the unloading and loading times of QCs. The effects of the ship balance constraint are more notable when the number of QCs is high.

  16. Measurement of the two-neutrino double-beta decay half-life of $$^{130}$$Te with the CUORE-0 experiment

    DOE PAGES

    Alduino, C.; Alfonso, K.; Artusa, D. R.; ...

    2017-01-06

    Here, we report on the measurement of the two-neutrino double-beta decay half-life of 130Te with the CUORE-0 detector. From an exposure of 33.4 kg year of TeO 2, the half-life is determined to be T 2ν 1/2 = [8.2 ± 0.2 (stat.) ± 0.6 (syst.)] × 10 20 year. This result is obtained after a detailed reconstruction of the sources responsible for the CUORE-0 counting rate, with a specific study of those contributing to the 130Te neutrinoless double-beta decay region of interest.

  17. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Abgrall, N.; Aguayo, Estanislao; Avignone, Frank T.

    2014-06-01

    The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR will search for the neutrinoless double-beta (ββ(0ν)) decay of the isotope 76Ge with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. The observation of this rare decay would indicate that the neutrino is its own antiparticle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass scale of the neutrino. The DEMONSTRATOR is being assembled at the 4850-foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. The array will be situated in a low-background environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. Here we describe the science goals ofmore » the DEMONSTRATOR and the details of its design.« less

  18. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiment

    DOE PAGES

    Abgrall, N.; Aguayo, E.; Avignone, F. T.; ...

    2014-01-29

    Tmore » he M ajorana D emonstrator will search for the neutrinoless double-beta ( β β 0 ν ) decay of the isotope Ge with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. he observation of this rare decay would indicate that the neutrino is its own antiparticle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass scale of the neutrino. he D emonstrator is being assembled at the 4850-foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. he array will be situated in a low-background environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. Here we describe the science goals of the D emonstrator and the details of its design.« less

  19. The carboxyl-terminal region of ahnak provides a link between cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels and the actin-based cytoskeleton.

    PubMed

    Hohaus, Annette; Person, Veronika; Behlke, Joachim; Schaper, Jutta; Morano, Ingo; Haase, Hannelore

    2002-08-01

    Ahnak is a ubiquitously expressed giant protein of 5643 amino acids implicated in cell differentiation and signal transduction. In a recent study, we demonstrated the association of ahnak with the regulatory beta2 subunit of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel. Here we identify the most carboxyl-terminal ahnak region (aa 5262-5643) to interact with recombinant beta2a as well as with beta2 and beta1a isoforms of native muscle Ca2+ channels using a panel of GST fusion proteins. Equilibrium sedimentation analysis revealed Kd values of 55 +/- 11 nM and 328 +/- 24 nM for carboxyl-terminal (aa 195-606) and amino-terminal (aa 1-200) truncates of the beta2a subunit, respectively. The same carboxyl-terminal ahnak region (aa 5262-5643) bound to G-actin and cosedimented with F-actin. Confocal microscopy of human left ventricular tissue localized the carboxyl-terminal ahnak portion to the sarcolemma including the T-tubular system and the intercalated disks of cardiomyocytes. These results suggest that ahnak provides a structural basis for the subsarcolemmal cytoarchitecture and confers the regulatory role of the actin-based cytoskeleton to the L-type Ca2+ channel.

  20. N-terminal nesprin-2 variants regulate β-catenin signalling

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, Qiuping; Minaisah, Rose-Marie; Ferraro, Elisa

    2016-07-15

    The spatial compartmentalisation of biochemical signalling pathways is essential for cell function. Nesprins are a multi-isomeric family of proteins that have emerged as signalling scaffolds, herein, we investigate the localisation and function of novel nesprin-2 N-terminal variants. We show that these nesprin-2 variants display cell specific distribution and reside in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that nesprin-2 N-terminal variants colocalised with β-catenin at cell-cell junctions in U2OS cells. Calcium switch assays demonstrated that nesprin-2 and β-catenin are lost from cell-cell junctions in low calcium conditions whereas emerin localisation at the NE remained unaltered, furthermore, an N-terminal fragmentmore » of nesprin-2 was sufficient for cell-cell junction localisation and interacted with β-catenin. Disruption of these N-terminal nesprin-2 variants, using siRNA depletion resulted in loss of β-catenin from cell-cell junctions, nuclear accumulation of active β-catenin and augmented β-catenin transcriptional activity. Importantly, we show that U2OS cells lack nesprin-2 giant, suggesting that the N-terminal nesprin-2 variants regulate β-catenin signalling independently of the NE. Together, these data identify N-terminal nesprin-2 variants as novel regulators of β-catenin signalling that tether β-catenin to cell-cell contacts to inhibit β-catenin transcriptional activity. - Highlights: • N-terminal nesprin-2 variants display cell specific expression patterns. • N-terminal spectrin repeats of nesprin-2 interact with β-catenin. • N-terminal nesprin-2 variants scaffold β-catenin at cell-cell junctions.. • Nesprin-2 variants play multiple roles in β-catenin signalling.« less

  1. Selection of a surface tension propellant management system for the Viking 75 Orbiter.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dowdy, M. W.; Debrock, S. C.

    1972-01-01

    Discussion of the propellant management system requirements derived for the Viking 75 mission, and review of a series of surface tension propellant management system design concepts. The chosen concept is identified and its mission operation described. The ullage bubble and bulk liquid positioning characteristics are presented, along with propellant dynamic considerations entailed by thrust initiation/termination. Pressurization design considerations, required to assure minimum disturbance to the bulk propellant, are introduced as well as those of the tank ullage vent. Design provisions to assure liquid communication between tank ends are discussed. Results of a preliminary design study are presented, including mechanical testing requirements to assure structural integrity, propellant compatibility, and proper installation.

  2. Dissolution Rate of Propellant Energetics from Nitrocellulose Matrices

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-09-01

    propellants are generally composed of a polymer, a plasticizer , and a stabilizer. These three compo- nents provide the structure, contribute the oxygen...million lb) of nitrocel- lulose is manufactured each year in the U.S. (Richie 2012; a partial listing is given in Table A1). This wood -like compound...that single- and double-base propellants are transparent to translucent and show signs of having been extruded (Fig. 10). Figure 10. Thin section

  3. Crystal Structure of the N-terminal Domain of the Group B Streptococcus Alpha C Protein

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Auperin,T.; Bolduc, G.; Baron, M.

    Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis among neonates and an important cause of morbidity among pregnant women and immunocompromised adults. Invasive diseases due to GBS are attributed to the ability of the pathogen to translocate across human epithelial surfaces. The alpha C protein (ACP) has been identified as an invasin that plays a role in internalization and translocation of GBS across epithelial cells. The soluble N-terminal domain of ACP (NtACP) blocks the internalization of GBS. We determined the 1.86-{angstrom} resolution crystal structure of NtACP comprising residues Ser{sup 52} through Leu{sup 225} ofmore » the full-length ACP. NtACP has two domains, an N-terminal {beta}-sandwich and a C-terminal three-helix bundle. Structural and topological alignments reveal that the {beta}-sandwich shares structural elements with the type III fibronectin fold (FnIII), but includes structural elaborations that make it unique. We have identified a potential integrin-binding motif consisting of Lys-Thr-Asp{sup 146}, Arg{sup 110}, and Asp{sup 118}. A similar arrangement of charged residues has been described in other invasins. ACP shows a heparin binding activity that requires NtACP. We propose a possible heparin-binding site, including one surface of the three-helix bundle, and nearby portions of the sandwich and repeat domains. We have validated this prediction using assays of the heparin binding and cell-adhesion properties of engineered fragments of ACP. This is the first crystal structure of a member of the highly conserved Gram-positive surface alpha-like protein family, and it will enable the internalization mechanism of GBS to be dissected at the atomic level.« less

  4. New high energetic composite propellants for space applications: refrigerated solid propellant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Franson, C.; Orlandi, O.; Perut, C.; Fouin, G.; Chauveau, C.; Gökalp, I.; Calabro, M.

    2009-09-01

    Cryogenic solid propellants (CSP) are a new kind of chemical propellants that use frozen products to ensure the mechanical resistance of the grain. The objective is to combine the high performances of liquid propulsion and the simplicity of solid propulsion. The CSP concept has few disadvantages. Storability is limited by the need of permanent cooling between motor loading and firing. It needs insulations that increase the dry mass. It is possible to limit significantly these drawbacks by using a cooling temperature near the ambient one. It will permit not to change the motor materials and to minimize the supplementary dry mass due to insulator. The designation "Refrigerated Solid Propellant" (RPS) is in that case more appropriate as "Cryogenic Solid Propellant." SNPE Matériaux Energétiques is developing new concept of composition e e with cooling temperature as near the ambient temperature as possible. They are homogeneous and the main ingredients are hydrogen peroxide, polymer and metal or metal hydride, they are called "HydroxalaneTM." This concept allows reaching a high energy level. The expected specific impulse is between 355 and 375 s against 315 s for hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) / ammonium perchlorate (AP) / Al composition. However, the density is lower than for current propellants, between 1377 and 1462 kg/m3 compared to around 1800 kg/m3 . This is an handicap only for volume-limited application. Works have been carried out at laboratory scale to define the quality of the raw materials and the manufacturing process to realize sample and small grain in a safer manner. To assess the process, a small grain with an internal bore had been realized with a composition based on aluminum and water. This grain had shown very good quality, without any defect, and good bonding properties on the insulator.

  5. Propellant Feed Subsystem for the X-34 Main Propulsion System

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McDonald, J. P.; Minor, R. B.; Knight, K. C.; Champion, R. H., Jr.; Russell, F. J., Jr.

    1998-01-01

    The Orbital Sciences Corporation X-34 vehicle demonstrates technologies and operations key to future reusable launch vehicles. The general flight performance goal of this unmanned rocket plane is Mach 8 flight at an altitude of 250,000 feet. The Main Propulsion System supplies liquid propellants to the main engine, which provides the primary thrust for attaining mission goals. Major NMS design and operational goals are aircraft-like ground operations, quick turnaround between missions, and low initial/operational costs. This paper reviews major design and analysis aspects of the X-34 propellant feed subsystem of the X-34 Main Propulsion System. Topics include system requirements, system design, the integration of flight and feed system performance, propellant acquisition at engine start, and propellant tank terminal drain.

  6. Physiological and glycomic characterization of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-IVa and -IVb double deficient mice

    PubMed Central

    Takamatsu, Shinji; Antonopoulos, Aristotelis; Ohtsubo, Kazuaki; Ditto, David; Chiba, Yasunori; Le, Dzung T.; Morris, Howard R.; Haslam, Stuart M.; Dell, Anne; Marth, Jamey D.; Taniguchi, Naoyuki

    2010-01-01

    N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase-IV (GnT-IV) has two isoenzymes, GnT-IVa and GnT-IVb, which initiate the GlcNAcβ1-4 branch synthesis on the Manα1-3 arm of the N-glycan core thereby increasing N-glycan branch complexity and conferring endogenous lectin binding epitopes. To elucidate the physiological significance of GnT-IV, we engineered and characterized GnT-IVb-deficient mice and further generated GnT-IVa/-IVb double deficient mice. In wild-type mice, GnT-IVa expression is restricted to gastrointestinal tissues, whereas GnT-IVb is broadly expressed among organs. GnT-IVb deficiency induced aberrant GnT-IVa expression corresponding to the GnT-IVb distribution pattern that might be attributed to increased Ets-1, which conceivably activates the Mgat4a promoter, and thereafter preserved apparent GnT-IV activity. The compensative GnT-IVa expression might contribute to amelioration of the GnT-IVb-deficient phenotype. GnT-IVb deficiency showed mild phenotypic alterations in hematopoietic cell populations and hemostasis. GnT-IVa/-IVb double deficiency completely abolished GnT-IV activity that resulted in the disappearance of the GlcNAcβ1-4 branch on the Manα1-3 arm that was confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS and GC-MS linkage analyses. Comprehensive glycomic analyses revealed that the abundance of terminal moieties was preserved in GnT-IVa/-IVb double deficiency that was due to the elevated expression of glycosyltransferases regarding synthesis of terminal moieties. Thereby, this may maintain the expression of glycan ligands for endogenous lectins and prevent cellular dysfunctions. The fact that the phenotype of GnT-IVa/-IVb double deficiency largely overlapped that of GnT-IVa single deficiency can be attributed to the induced glycomic compensation. This is the first report that mammalian organs have highly organized glycomic compensation systems to preserve N-glycan branch complexity. PMID:20015870

  7. Characterization of a beta-lactamase produced in Mycobacterium fortuitum D316.

    PubMed Central

    Amicosante, G; Franceschini, N; Segatore, B; Oratore, A; Fattorini, L; Orefici, G; Van Beeumen, J; Frere, J M

    1990-01-01

    A beta-lactamase from Mycobacterium fortuitum D316 was purified and some physico-chemical properties and substrate profile determined. On the basis of its N-terminal sequence and of its sensitivity to beta-iodopenicillanate inactivation, the enzyme appeared to be a class A beta-lactamase, but its substrate profile was quite unexpected, since nine cephalosporins were among the eleven best substrates. The enzyme also hydrolysed ureidopenicillins and some so-called 'beta-lactamase-stable' cephalosporins. Images Fig. 1. PMID:2123098

  8. Improvement of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function by nateglinide and repaglinide in type 2 diabetic patients - a randomized controlled double-blind and double-dummy multicentre clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Li, J; Tian, H; Li, Q; Wang, N; Wu, T; Liu, Y; Ni, Z; Yu, H; Liang, J; Luo, R; Li, Y; Huang, L

    2007-07-01

    To evaluate the efficacy of nateglinide vs. repaglinide in blood glucose (BG) control and the effect on insulin resistance and beta-Cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes. A randomized controlled double-blind and double-dummy multicentre clinical trial was conducted. A total of 230 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in five clinical centres. The patients were divided randomly into group A [repaglinide 1.0 mg three times daily (t.i.d.), n = 115] or group B (nateglinide 90 mg t.i.d., n = 115). At baseline and end of the 12-week clinical trial, standard mixed meal tolerance tests were performed. A total of 223 patients (96.9%) completed the trial. There was no significant difference between repaglinide and nateglinide groups in the effects of reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG), 30-, 60- and 120-min BG during 12 weeks (p > 0.05). At week 12, no significant difference was shown between the two groups in BG or haemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) (p > 0.05). However, the effect on HbA(1c) in repaglinide group was stronger than that in nateglinide group (p < 0.05). After 12-week treatment, area under the curve (AUC) of BG decreased (p < 0.05), and AUC of insulin and C-peptide (CP) increased in both groups (p < 0.05). The effects of nateglinide on AUC of BG, insulin and CP were similar to that of repaglinide (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in AUC of BG, insulin or CP in week 12 (p > 0.05). Furthermore, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta-cell function indexes measured by HOMA-beta, DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30) and (DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30))/HOMA-IR were improved significantly in both groups during 12 weeks (p < 0.05). The effects of improving HOMA-IR and beta-cell function indexes in nateglinide group were comparable with that of repaglinide group (p > 0.05). The efficacy of repaglinide and nateglinide in FBG, postprandial glucose excursion and early-phase insulin secretion is similar. But the

  9. The N-terminal domain of the mammalian nucleoporin p62 interacts with other nucleoporins of the FXFG family during interphase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Stochaj, Ursula; Banski, Piotr; Kodiha, Mohamed

    2006-08-01

    Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) provide the only sites for macromolecular transport between nucleus and cytoplasm. The nucleoporin p62, a component of higher eukaryotic NPCs, is located at the central gated channel and involved in nuclear trafficking of various cargos. p62 is organized into an N-terminal segment that contains FXFG repeats and binds the soluble transport factor NTF2, whereas the C-terminal portion associates with other nucleoporins and importin-{beta}1. We have now identified new components that interact specifically with the p62 N-terminal domain. Using the p62 N-terminal segment as bait, we affinity-purified nucleoporins Nup358, Nup214 and Nup153 from crude cell extracts. Inmore » ligand binding assays, the N-terminal p62 segment associated with Nup358 and p62, suggesting their direct binding to the p62 N-terminal portion. Furthermore, p62 was isolated in complex with Nup358, Nup214 and Nup153 from growing HeLa cells, indicating that the interactions Nup358/p62, Nup214/p62 and p62/Nup153 also occur in vivo. The formation of Nup358/p62 and p62/Nup153 complexes was restricted to interphase cells, whereas Nup214/p62 binding was detected in interphase as well as during mitosis. Our results support a model of complex interactions between FXFG containing nucleoporins, and we propose that some of these interactions may contribute to the movement of cargo across the NPC.« less

  10. Elastic and Inelastic Scattering of Neutrons from Neon and Argon: Impact on Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay and Dark Matter Experimental Programs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    MacMullin, Sean Patrick

    In underground physics experiments, such as neutrinoless double-beta decay and dark matter searches, fast neutrons may be the dominant and potentially irreducible source of background. Experimental data for the elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections of neutrons from argon and neon, which are target and shielding materials of interest to the dark matter and neutrinoless double-beta decay communities, were previously unavailable. Unmeasured neutron scattering cross sections are often accounted for incorrectly in Monte-Carlo simulations. Elastic scattering cross sections were measured at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) using the neutron time-of-flight technique. Angular distributions for neon were measured at 5.0 and 8.0 MeV. One full angular distribution was measured for argon at 6.0 MeV. The cross-section data were compared to calculations using a global optical model. Data were also fit using the spherical optical model. These model fits were used to predict the elastic scattering cross section at unmeasured energies and also provide a benchmark where the global optical models are not well constrained. Partial gamma-ray production cross sections for (n,xngamma ) reactions in natural argon and neon were measured using the broad spectrum neutron beam at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). Neutron energies were determined using time of flight and resulting gamma rays from neutron-induced reactions were detected using the GErmanium Array for Neutron Induced Excitations (GEANIE). Partial gamma-ray production cross sections for six transitions in 40Ar, two transitions in 39Ar and the first excited state transitions is 20Ne and 22Ne were measured from threshold to a neutron energy where the gamma-ray yield dropped below the detection sensitivity. Measured (n,xngamma) cross sections were compared with calculations using the TALYS and CoH3 nuclear reaction codes. These new measurements will help to identify potential backgrounds in

  11. A Theoretical Study of Vapour Phase Nucleation of the Rocket Propellant N2O4

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pal, P.

    2003-05-01

    The residual vapour of a rocket fuel at the venting stage develops a potential aerodynamic problem which is linked with the vapour phase nucleation phenomena of the propellant. This study, based entirely on molecular treatment, addresses the problem by focusing specifically on the N2O4 propellant which is used in the ARIANE flight. The phenomenon is examined by considering the thermodynamic free energies of N2O4 clusters, leading to the evaluation of nucleation flux rates of critical nuclei at incipient nucleation. Preliminary examinations of the kinetics of flux pulses provide basic explanation from a molecular perspective.

  12. A search for double beta decays of 136Xe to the excited state of 136Ba with EXO-200

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yen, Yung-Ruey; EXO-200 Collaboration

    2015-10-01

    EXO-200 is one of the most sensitive searches for neutrinoless double beta decay of 136Xe in the world. The experiment uses 110 kg of active enriched liquid xenon in an ultralow background time projection chamber installed at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, a salt mine with a 1600 m water equivalent overburden. This detector has demonstrated excellent energy resolution and background rejection capabilities. While the experiment is designed to search for the double beta decays of 136Xe to the ground state of 136Ba, transitions to the excited states of 136Ba are also plausible. The ββ 2 ν decay to the first 0+ excited state of the daughter nuclei has been observed for 100Mo and 150Nd; this particular transition for 136Xe has a theoretical lifetime on the order of 1025 year, which is right around the sensitivity of EXO-200. We present the results from the search of double beta decays to the excited state using two years of EXO-200 data.

  13. The open reading frames in the 3' long terminal repeats of several mouse mammary tumor virus integrants encode V beta 3-specific superantigens

    PubMed Central

    1992-01-01

    Mice expressing the minor lymphocyte stimulation antigens, Mls-1a, -2a, or -3a, singly on the B10.BR background have been generated. Mls phenotypes correlate with the integration of mouse mammary tumor viruses (MTV) in the mouse genome. The open reading frames within the 3' long terminal repeats of the integrated MTVs 1, 3, 6, and 13 encode V beta 3-specific superantigens. Sequence data for these viral superantigens is presented, indicating that it is the COOH-terminal portion of the viral superantigen that interacts with the T cell receptor V beta element. PMID:1309854

  14. Propellers in Saturn's rings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sremcevic, M.; Stewart, G. R.; Albers, N.; Esposito, L. W.

    2013-12-01

    ring. The gap moves at Kepler speed appropriate for its radial location. Radial offsets of the gap locations in UVIS occultations are consistent with an asymmetric propeller shape. The asymmetry of the observed shape is most likely a consequence of the strong surface mass density gradient, as the feature is located at an edge between high and relatively low optical depth. From the radial separation of the propeller wings we estimate that the embedded body is about 1.5km in size. In addition to the population of "big" propellers we found evidence for a population of much smaller propellers which are more similar to known A ring propellers (size <500m). We have found one significant feature in beta Centauri Rev96 UVIS occultation at r=94,958km. The feature represents a gap with a width of 300m. This gap is statistically significant and consists of 6 consequent high counts. All other UVIS occultations show a flat and boring profile at this location. The r=94,958km feature is very similar in shape and size to a known detection of A ring propeller Bleriot from zeta Persei Rev42 occultation. This feature is also found as a dark spot moving at Kepler speed across several ISS images. Additionally we found 5 more small propeller candidates in ISS images of the inner B ring.

  15. Structure of N-acetyl-[beta]-D-glucosaminidase (GcnA) from the Endocarditis Pathogen Streptococcus gordonii and its Complex with the Mechanism-based Inhibitor NAG-thiazoline

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Langley, David B.; Harty, Derek W.S.; Jacques, Nicholas A.

    2008-09-17

    The crystal structure of GcnA, an N-acetyl-{beta}-D-glucosaminidase from Streptococcus gordonii, was solved by multiple wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing using crystals of selenomethionine-substituted protein. GcnA is a homodimer with subunits each comprised of three domains. The structure of the C-terminal {alpha}-helical domain has not been observed previously and forms a large dimerization interface. The fold of the N-terminal domain is observed in all structurally related glycosidases although its function is unknown. The central domain has a canonical ({beta}/{alpha}){sub 8} TIM-barrel fold which harbours the active site. The primary sequence and structure of this central domain identifies the enzyme as a familymore » 20 glycosidase. Key residues implicated in catalysis have different conformations in two different crystal forms, which probably represent active and inactive conformations of the enzyme. The catalytic mechanism for this class of glycoside hydrolase, where the substrate rather than the enzyme provides the cleavage-inducing nucleophile, has been confirmed by the structure of GcnA complexed with a putative reaction intermediate analogue, N-acetyl-{beta}-D-glucosamine-thiazoline. The catalytic mechanism is discussed in light of these and other family 20 structures.« less

  16. The NUMEN project: NUclear Matrix Elements for Neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cappuzzello, F.; Agodi, C.; Cavallaro, M.; Carbone, D.; Tudisco, S.; Lo Presti, D.; Oliveira, J. R. B.; Finocchiaro, P.; Colonna, M.; Rifuggiato, D.; Calabretta, L.; Calvo, D.; Pandola, L.; Acosta, L.; Auerbach, N.; Bellone, J.; Bijker, R.; Bonanno, D.; Bongiovanni, D.; Borello-Lewin, T.; Boztosun, I.; Brunasso, O.; Burrello, S.; Calabrese, S.; Calanna, A.; Chávez Lomelí, E. R.; D'Agostino, G.; De Faria, P. N.; De Geronimo, G.; Delaunay, F.; Deshmukh, N.; Ferreira, J. L.; Fisichella, M.; Foti, A.; Gallo, G.; Garcia-Tecocoatzi, H.; Greco, V.; Hacisalihoglu, A.; Iazzi, F.; Introzzi, R.; Lanzalone, G.; Lay, J. A.; La Via, F.; Lenske, H.; Linares, R.; Litrico, G.; Longhitano, F.; Lubian, J.; Medina, N. H.; Mendes, D. R.; Moralles, M.; Muoio, A.; Pakou, A.; Petrascu, H.; Pinna, F.; Reito, S.; Russo, A. D.; Russo, G.; Santagati, G.; Santopinto, E.; Santos, R. B. B.; Sgouros, O.; da Silveira, M. A. G.; Solakci, S. O.; Souliotis, G.; Soukeras, V.; Spatafora, A.; Torresi, D.; Magana Vsevolodovna, R.; Yildirim, A.; Zagatto, V. A. B.

    2018-05-01

    The article describes the main achievements of the NUMEN project together with an updated and detailed overview of the related R&D activities and theoretical developments. NUMEN proposes an innovative technique to access the nuclear matrix elements entering the expression of the lifetime of the double beta decay by cross section measurements of heavy-ion induced Double Charge Exchange (DCE) reactions. Despite the fact that the two processes, namely neutrinoless double beta decay and DCE reactions, are triggered by the weak and strong interaction respectively, important analogies are suggested. The basic point is the coincidence of the initial and final state many-body wave functions in the two types of processes and the formal similarity of the transition operators. First experimental results obtained at the INFN-LNS laboratory for the 40Ca(18O,18Ne)40Ar reaction at 270MeV give an encouraging indication on the capability of the proposed technique to access relevant quantitative information. The main experimental tools for this project are the K800 Superconducting Cyclotron and MAGNEX spectrometer. The former is used for the acceleration of the required high resolution and low emittance heavy-ion beams and the latter is the large acceptance magnetic spectrometer for the detection of the ejectiles. The use of the high-order trajectory reconstruction technique, implemented in MAGNEX, allows to reach the experimental resolution and sensitivity required for the accurate measurement of the DCE cross sections at forward angles. However, the tiny values of such cross sections and the resolution requirements demand beam intensities much larger than those manageable with the present facility. The on-going upgrade of the INFN-LNS facilities in this perspective is part of the NUMEN project and will be discussed in the article.

  17. The AMoRE: Search for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in 100Mo

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, HyangKyu; AMoRE Collaboration

    2016-04-01

    The AMoRE (Advanced Mo-based Rare process Experiment) collaboration is going to use calcium molybdate, 40Ca100MoO4 (CMO), crystal scintillators enriched in 100Mo and depleted in 48Ca to search for neutrinoless double-beta (0 νββ) decay of 100Mo using a technique of cryogenic scintillating bolometers at the underground laboratory in Korea. The collaboration is going to utilize metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMC) as temperature sensors both in heat and light channels of CMO detectors operated at milli-Kelvin temperature. Application of relatively fast MMC sensors provides excellent energy resolution, powerful discrimination of internal alpha particles, effective pulse-shape discrimination of randomly coinciding events of two-neutrino double-beta decay of 100Mo. In its first phase, the AMoRE-10 will use about 10 kg of CMO crystals. As a next step, the AMoRE-200 is going to build about 200 kg detector to reach a half-life sensitivity on the level of 1026 years with an aim to explore inverted hierarchy region of the effective Majorana neutrino mass 0.02 - 0.05 eV. Recent progress on the calcium molybdate detectors developments at room and milli-Kelvin temperatures as well as background study based on Monte Carlo simulations will be presented.

  18. Intermediate Nuclear Structure for 2v 2{beta} Decay of {sup 48}Ca Studied by (p, n) and (n, p) Reactions at 300 MeV

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sakai, H.; Yako, K.

    2009-08-26

    Angular distributions of the double differential cross sections for the {sup 48}Ca(p,n) and the {sup 48}Ti(n,p) reactions were measured at 300 MeV. A multipole decomposition technique was applied to the spectra to extract the Gamow-Teller (GT) transition strengths. In the (n, p) spectrum beyond 8 MeV excitation energy extra B(GT{sup +}) strengths which are not predicted by the shell model calculation. This extra B(GT{sup +}) strengths significantly contribute to the nuclear matrix element of the 2v2{beta}-decay.

  19. Mass and Double-Beta-Decay Q Value of Xe136

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Redshaw, Matthew; Wingfield, Elizabeth; McDaniel, Joseph; Myers, Edmund G.

    2007-02-01

    The atomic mass of Xe136 has been measured by comparing cyclotron frequencies of single ions in a Penning trap. The result, with 1 standard deviation uncertainty, is M(Xe136)=135.907 214 484 (11) u. Combined with previous results for the mass of Ba136 [Audi, Wapstra, and Thibault, Nucl. Phys. A 729, 337 (2003)NUPABL0375-947410.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.003], this gives a Q value (M[Xe136]-M[Ba136])c2=2457.83(37)keV, sufficiently precise for ongoing searches for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of Xe136.

  20. Values of the phase space factors for double beta decay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Stoica, Sabin, E-mail: stoica@theory.nipne.ro; Mirea, Mihai; Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului street, P.O. Box MG6, Magurele

    2015-10-28

    We report an up-date list of the experimentally most interesting phase space factors for double beta decay (DBD). The electron/positron wave functions are obtained by solving the Dirac equations with a Coulomb potential derived from a realistic proton density distribution in nucleus and with inclusion of the finite nuclear size (FNS) and electron screening (ES) effects. We build up new numerical routines which allow us a good control of the accuracy of calculations. We found several notable differences as compared with previous results reported in literature and possible sources of these discrepancies are discussed.

  1. NMR solution structure of the mitochondrial F1beta presequence from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.

    PubMed

    Moberg, Per; Nilsson, Stefan; Ståhl, Annelie; Eriksson, Anna-Carin; Glaser, Elzbieta; Mäler, Lena

    2004-03-05

    We have isolated, characterized and determined the three-dimensional NMR solution structure of the presequence of ATPsynthase F1beta subunit from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. A general method for purification of presequences is presented. The method is based on overexpression of a mutant precursor containing a methionine residue introduced at the processing site, followed by CNBr-cleavage and purification of the presequence on a cation-exchange column. The F1beta presequence, 53 amino acid residues long, retained its native properties as evidenced by inhibition of in vitro mitochondrial import and processing at micromolar concentrations. CD spectroscopy revealed that the F1beta presequence formed an alpha-helical structure in membrane mimetic environments such as SDS and DPC micelles (approximately 50% alpha-helix), and in acidic phospholipid bicelles (approximately 60% alpha-helix). The NMR solution structure of the F1beta presequence in SDS micelles was determined on the basis of 518 distance and 21 torsion angle constraints. The structure was found to contain two helices, an N-terminal amphipathic alpha-helix (residues 4-15) and a C-terminal alpha-helix (residues 43-53), separated by a largely unstructured 27 residue long internal domain. The N-terminal amphipathic alpha-helix forms the putative Tom20 receptor binding site, whereas the C-terminal alpha-helix is located upstream of the mitochondrial processing peptidase cleavage site.

  2. Modulation of TGF-beta signaling during progression of chronic liver diseases.

    PubMed

    Matsuzaki, Koichi

    2009-01-01

    A large body of work has established roles for epithelial cells as important mediators of progressive fibrosis and carcinogenesis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and pro-inflammatory cytokines are important inducers of fibro-carcinogenesis. TGF-beta signaling involves phosphorylation of Smad3 at middle linker and/or C-terminal regions. Reversible shifting of Smad3-dependent signaling between tumor-suppression and oncogenesis in hyperactive Ras-expressing epithelial cells indicates that Smad3 phosphorylated at the C-terminal region (pSmad3C) transmits a tumor-suppressive TGF-beta signal, while oncogenic activities such as cell proliferation and invasion are promoted by Smad3 phosphorylated at the linker region (pSmad3L). Notably, pSmad3L-mediated signaling promotes extracellular matrix deposition by activated mesenchymal cells. During progression of chronic liver diseases, hepatic epithelial hepatocytes undergo transition from the tumor-suppressive pSmad3C pathway to the fibrogenic/oncogenic pSmad3L pathway, accelerating liver fibrosis and increasing risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. c-Jun N-terminal kinase activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines is mediating this perturbed hepatocytic TGF-beta signaling. Thus, TGF-beta signaling of hepatocytes affected by chronic inflammation offers a general framework for understanding the molecular mechanisms of human fibro-carcinogenesis during progression of chronic liver diseases.

  3. New Propellants and Cryofuels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Palasezski, Bryan; Sullivan, Neil S.; Hamida, Jaha; Kokshenev, V.

    2006-01-01

    The proposed research will investigate the stability and cryogenic properties of solid propellants that are critical to NASA s goal of realizing practical propellant designs for future spacecraft. We will determine the stability and thermal properties of a solid hydrogen-liquid helium stabilizer in a laboratory environment in order to design a practical propellant. In particular, we will explore methods of embedding atomic species and metallic nano-particulates in hydrogen matrices suspended in liquid helium. We will also measure the characteristic lifetimes and diffusion of atomic species in these candidate cryofuels. The most promising large-scale advance in rocket propulsion is the use of atomic propellants; most notably atomic hydrogen stabilized in cryogenic environments, and metallized-gelled liquid hydrogen (MGH) or densified gelled hydrogen (DGH). The new propellants offer very significant improvements over classic liquid oxygen/hydrogen fuels because of two factors: (1) the high energy-release, and (ii) the density increase per unit energy release. These two changes can lead to significant reduced mission costs and increased payload to orbit weight ratios. An achievable 5 to 10 percent improvement in specific impulse for the atomic propellants or MGH fuels can result in a doubling or tripling of system payloads. The high-energy atomic propellants must be stored in a stabilizing medium such as solid hydrogen to inhibit or delay their recombination into molecules. The goal of the proposed research is to determine the stability and thermal properties of the solid hydrogen-liquid helium stabilizer. Magnetic resonance techniques will be used to measure the thermal lifetimes and the diffusive motions of atomic species stored in solid hydrogen grains. The properties of metallic nano-particulates embedded in hydrogen matrices will also be studied and analyzed. Dynamic polarization techniques will be developed to enhance signal/noise ratios in order to be able to

  4. Specific radioimmunoassay for human. beta. -lipotropin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jeffcoate, W.J.; Rees, L.H.; Lowry, P.J.

    1978-07-01

    A homologous RIA for human ..beta..-lipotropin (..beta..hLPH) has been developed. At a final dilution of 1:24,000, the antiserum employed shows cross-reaction with ..beta..hLPH but none with human ..beta..-MSH (..beta..hMSH), and it is concluded that the antigenic determinant lies within the N-terminal 1 to 36 region of ..beta..hLPH. With extraction of 3-ml plasma samples, the assay is sufficiently sensitive to measure circulating ..beta..hLPH levels in normal individuals at 0900 h (25 to 200 pg/ml). There is a circadian variation with levels falling to (less than 20 to 80 pg/ml) at 2300 h. ..beta..hLPH levels rise after metyrapone and after insulin-induced hypoglycemia,more » and fall after administration of dexamethasone. In patients with a variety of diseases of the pituitary-adrenal axis, levels of ..beta..hLPH follow immunoreactive ACTH levels, although the two are not always secreted on a 1:1 molar basis.« less

  5. Autocatalytic activity and substrate specificity of the pestivirus N-terminal protease N{sup pro}

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gottipati, Keerthi; Acholi, Sudheer; Ruggli, Nicolas

    Pestivirus N{sup pro} is the first protein translated in the viral polypeptide, and cleaves itself off co-translationally generating the N-terminus of the core protein. Once released, N{sup pro} blocks the host's interferon response by inducing degradation of interferon regulatory factor-3. N{sup pro'}s intracellular autocatalytic activity and lack of trans-activity have hampered in vitro cleavage studies to establish its substrate specificity and the roles of individual residues. We constructed N{sup pro}-GFP fusion proteins that carry the authentic cleavage site and determined the autoproteolytic activities of N{sup pro} proteins containing substitutions at the predicted catalytic sites Glu22 and Cys69, at Arg100 thatmore » forms a salt bridge with Glu22, and at the cleavage site Cys168. Contrary to previous reports, we show that N{sup pro'}s catalytic activity does not involve Glu22, which may instead be involved in protein stability. Furthermore, N{sup pro} does not have specificity for Cys168 at the cleavage site even though this residue is conserved throughout the pestivirus genus. - Highlights: • N{sup pro'}s autoproteolysis is studied using N{sup pro}-GFP fusion proteins. • N-terminal 17 amino acids are dispensable without loss of protease activity. • The putative catalytic residue Glu22 is not involved in protease catalysis. • No specificity for Cys168 at the cleavage site despite evolutionary conservation. • N{sup pro} prefers small amino acids with non-branched beta carbons at the P1 position.« less

  6. N-terminal RASSF family

    PubMed Central

    Underhill-Day, Nicholas; Hill, Victoria

    2011-01-01

    Epigenetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes is a hallmark of cancer development. RASSF1A (Ras Association Domain Family 1 isoform A) tumor suppressor gene is one of the most frequently epigenetically inactivated genes in a wide range of adult and children's cancers and could be a useful molecular marker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. RASSF1A has been shown to play a role in several biological pathways, including cell cycle control, apoptosis and microtubule dynamics. RASSF2, RASSF4, RASSF5 and RASSF6 are also epigenetically inactivated in cancer but have not been analyzed in as wide a range of malignancies as RASSF1A. Recently four new members of the RASSF family were identified these are termed N-Terminal RASSF genes (RASSF7–RASSF10). Molecular and biological analysis of these newer members has just begun. This review highlights what we currently know in respects to structural, functional and molecular properties of the N-Terminal RASSFs. PMID:21116130

  7. Conservation of the Human Integrin-Type Beta-Propeller Domain in Bacteria

    PubMed Central

    Chouhan, Bhanupratap; Denesyuk, Alexander; Heino, Jyrki; Johnson, Mark S.; Denessiouk, Konstantin

    2011-01-01

    Integrins are heterodimeric cell-surface receptors with key functions in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. Integrin α and β subunits are present throughout the metazoans, but it is unclear whether the subunits predate the origin of multicellular organisms. Several component domains have been detected in bacteria, one of which, a specific 7-bladed β-propeller domain, is a unique feature of the integrin α subunits. Here, we describe a structure-derived motif, which incorporates key features of each blade from the X-ray structures of human αIIbβ3 and αVβ3, includes elements of the FG-GAP/Cage and Ca2+-binding motifs, and is specific only for the metazoan integrin domains. Separately, we searched for the metazoan integrin type β-propeller domains among all available sequences from bacteria and unicellular eukaryotic organisms, which must incorporate seven repeats, corresponding to the seven blades of the β-propeller domain, and so that the newly found structure-derived motif would exist in every repeat. As the result, among 47 available genomes of unicellular eukaryotes we could not find a single instance of seven repeats with the motif. Several sequences contained three repeats, a predicted transmembrane segment, and a short cytoplasmic motif associated with some integrins, but otherwise differ from the metazoan integrin α subunits. Among the available bacterial sequences, we found five examples containing seven sequential metazoan integrin-specific motifs within the seven repeats. The motifs differ in having one Ca2+-binding site per repeat, whereas metazoan integrins have three or four sites. The bacterial sequences are more conserved in terms of motif conservation and loop length, suggesting that the structure is more regular and compact than those example structures from human integrins. Although the bacterial examples are not full-length integrins, the full-length metazoan-type 7-bladed β-propeller domains are present, and sometimes two tandem

  8. Simulation of double stage hall thruster with double-peaked magnetic field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ding, Yongjie; Li, Peng; Sun, Hezhi; Wei, Liqiu; Xu, Yu; Peng, Wuji; Su, Hongbo; Li, Hong; Yu, Daren

    2017-07-01

    This study adopts double permanent magnetic rings and four permanent magnetic rings to form two symmetrical magnetic peaks and two asymmetrical magnetic peaks in the channel of a Hall thruster, and uses a 2D-3V PIC-MCC model to analyze the influence of magnetic strength on the discharge characteristic and performance of Hall thrusters with an intermediate electrode and double-peaked magnetic field. As opposed to the two symmetrical magnetic peaks formed by double permanent magnetic rings, increasing the magnetic peak value deep within the channel can cause propellant ionization to occur; with the increase in the magnetic peak deep in the channel, the propellant utilization, thrust, and anode efficiency of the thruster are significantly improved. Double-peaked magnetic field can realize separate control of ionization and acceleration in a Hall thruster, and provide technical means for further improving thruster performance. Contribution to the Topical Issue "Physics of Ion Beam Sources", edited by Holger Kersten and Horst Neumann.

  9. Structure of the N-terminal fragment of Escherichia coli Lon protease

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Mi; Gustchina, Alla; Rasulova, Fatima S.

    2010-10-22

    The structure of a recombinant construct consisting of residues 1-245 of Escherichia coli Lon protease, the prototypical member of the A-type Lon family, is reported. This construct encompasses all or most of the N-terminal domain of the enzyme. The structure was solved by SeMet SAD to 2.6 {angstrom} resolution utilizing trigonal crystals that contained one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The molecule consists of two compact subdomains and a very long C-terminal {alpha}-helix. The structure of the first subdomain (residues 1-117), which consists mostly of {beta}-strands, is similar to that of the shorter fragment previously expressed and crystallized, whereas themore » second subdomain is almost entirely helical. The fold and spatial relationship of the two subdomains, with the exception of the C-terminal helix, closely resemble the structure of BPP1347, a 203-amino-acid protein of unknown function from Bordetella parapertussis, and more distantly several other proteins. It was not possible to refine the structure to satisfactory convergence; however, since almost all of the Se atoms could be located on the basis of their anomalous scattering the correctness of the overall structure is not in question. The structure reported here was also compared with the structures of the putative substrate-binding domains of several proteins, showing topological similarities that should help in defining the binding sites used by Lon substrates.« less

  10. The N-Terminal Domain of Human DNA Helicase Rtel1 Contains a Redox Active Iron-Sulfur Cluster

    PubMed Central

    Landry, Aaron P.

    2014-01-01

    Human telomere length regulator Rtel1 is a superfamily II DNA helicase and is essential for maintaining proper length of telomeres in chromosomes. Here we report that the N-terminal domain of human Rtel1 (RtelN) expressed in Escherichia coli cells produces a protein that contains a redox active iron-sulfur cluster with the redox midpoint potential of −248 ± 10 mV (pH 8.0). The iron-sulfur cluster in RtelN is sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, indicating that reactive oxygen/nitrogen species may modulate the DNA helicase activity of Rtel1 via modification of its iron-sulfur cluster. Purified RtelN retains a weak binding affinity for the single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) DNA in vitro. However, modification of the iron-sulfur cluster by hydrogen peroxide or nitric oxide does not significantly affect the DNA binding activity of RtelN, suggesting that the iron-sulfur cluster is not directly involved in the DNA interaction in the N-terminal domain of Rtel1. PMID:25147792

  11. The N-terminal domain of human DNA helicase Rtel1 contains a redox active iron-sulfur cluster.

    PubMed

    Landry, Aaron P; Ding, Huangen

    2014-01-01

    Human telomere length regulator Rtel1 is a superfamily II DNA helicase and is essential for maintaining proper length of telomeres in chromosomes. Here we report that the N-terminal domain of human Rtel1 (RtelN) expressed in Escherichia coli cells produces a protein that contains a redox active iron-sulfur cluster with the redox midpoint potential of -248 ± 10 mV (pH 8.0). The iron-sulfur cluster in RtelN is sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, indicating that reactive oxygen/nitrogen species may modulate the DNA helicase activity of Rtel1 via modification of its iron-sulfur cluster. Purified RtelN retains a weak binding affinity for the single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) DNA in vitro. However, modification of the iron-sulfur cluster by hydrogen peroxide or nitric oxide does not significantly affect the DNA binding activity of RtelN, suggesting that the iron-sulfur cluster is not directly involved in the DNA interaction in the N-terminal domain of Rtel1.

  12. Prediction of a common beta-propeller catalytic domain for fructosyltransferases of different origin and substrate specificity.

    PubMed

    Pons, T; Hernández, L; Batista, F R; Chinea, G

    2000-11-01

    The three-dimensional (3D) structure of fructan biosynthetic enzymes is still unknown. Here, we have explored folding similarities between reported microbial and plant enzymes that catalyze transfructosylation reactions. A sequence-structure compatibility search using TOPITS, SDP, 3D-PSSM, and SAM-T98 programs identified a beta-propeller fold with scores above the confidence threshold that indicate a structurally conserved catalytic domain in fructosyltransferases (FTFs) of diverse origin and substrate specificity. The predicted fold appeared related to that of neuraminidase and sialidase, of glycoside hydrolase families 33 and 34, respectively. The most reliable structural model was obtained using the crystal structure of neuraminidase (Protein Data Bank file: 5nn9) as template, and it is consistent with the location of previously identified functional residues of bacterial levansucrases (Batista et al., 1999; Song & Jacques, 1999). The sequence-sequence analysis presented here reinforces the recent inclusion of fungal and plant FTFs into glycoside hydrolase family 32, and suggests a modified sequence pattern H-x (2)-[PTV]-x (4)-[LIVMA]-[NSCAYG]-[DE]-P-[NDSC][GA]3 for this family.

  13. Prediction of a common beta-propeller catalytic domain for fructosyltransferases of different origin and substrate specificity.

    PubMed Central

    Pons, T.; Hernández, L.; Batista, F. R.; Chinea, G.

    2000-01-01

    The three-dimensional (3D) structure of fructan biosynthetic enzymes is still unknown. Here, we have explored folding similarities between reported microbial and plant enzymes that catalyze transfructosylation reactions. A sequence-structure compatibility search using TOPITS, SDP, 3D-PSSM, and SAM-T98 programs identified a beta-propeller fold with scores above the confidence threshold that indicate a structurally conserved catalytic domain in fructosyltransferases (FTFs) of diverse origin and substrate specificity. The predicted fold appeared related to that of neuraminidase and sialidase, of glycoside hydrolase families 33 and 34, respectively. The most reliable structural model was obtained using the crystal structure of neuraminidase (Protein Data Bank file: 5nn9) as template, and it is consistent with the location of previously identified functional residues of bacterial levansucrases (Batista et al., 1999; Song & Jacques, 1999). The sequence-sequence analysis presented here reinforces the recent inclusion of fungal and plant FTFs into glycoside hydrolase family 32, and suggests a modified sequence pattern H-x (2)-[PTV]-x (4)-[LIVMA]-[NSCAYG]-[DE]-P-[NDSC][GA]3 for this family. PMID:11305239

  14. Daclizumab in active relapsing multiple sclerosis (CHOICE study): a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, add-on trial with interferon beta.

    PubMed

    Wynn, Daniel; Kaufman, Michael; Montalban, Xavier; Vollmer, Timothy; Simon, Jack; Elkins, Jacob; O'Neill, Gilmore; Neyer, Lauri; Sheridan, James; Wang, Chungchi; Fong, Alice; Rose, John W

    2010-04-01

    Daclizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody, reduced multiple sclerosis disease activity in previous non-randomised studies. We aimed to assess whether daclizumab reduces disease activity in patients with active relapsing multiple sclerosis who are receiving interferon beta treatment. We did a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at 51 centres in the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Patients with active relapsing multiple sclerosis who were taking interferon beta were randomly assigned to receive add-on subcutaneous daclizumab 2 mg/kg every 2 weeks (interferon beta and high-dose daclizumab group), daclizumab 1 mg/kg every 4 weeks (interferon beta and low-dose daclizumab group), or interferon beta and placebo for 24 weeks. The randomisation scheme was generated by Facet Biotech. All patients and assessors were masked to treatment with the exception of Facet Biotech bioanalysts who prepared data for the data safety monitoring board or generated pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic data, a drug accountability auditor, and the site pharmacist. The primary endpoint was total number of new or enlarged gadolinium contrast-enhancing lesions measured on brain MRI scans every 4 weeks between weeks 8 and 24. Effects of daclizumab on prespecified subsets of lymphocytes and quantitative T-cell proliferative response were assessed in an exploratory pharmacodynamic substudy. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00109161. From May, 2005, to March, 2006, 288 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 230 were randomly assigned to receive interferon beta and high-dose daclizumab (n=75), interferon beta and low-dose daclizumab (n=78), or interferon beta and placebo (n=77). The adjusted mean number of new or enlarged gadolinium contrast-enhancing lesions was 4.75 in the interferon beta and placebo group compared with 1.32 in the interferon beta and high-dose daclizumab group (difference 72%, 95% CI

  15. The first armadillo repeat is involved in the recognition and regulation of beta-catenin phosphorylation by protein kinase CK1.

    PubMed

    Bustos, Victor H; Ferrarese, Anna; Venerando, Andrea; Marin, Oriano; Allende, Jorge E; Pinna, Lorenzo A

    2006-12-26

    Multiple phosphorylation of beta-catenin by glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in the Wnt pathway is primed by CK1 through phosphorylation of Ser-45, which lacks a typical CK1 canonical sequence. Synthetic peptides encompassing amino acids 38-64 of beta-catenin are phosphorylated by CK1 on Ser-45 with low affinity (K(m) approximately 1 mM), whereas intact beta-catenin is phosphorylated at Ser-45 with very high affinity (K(m) approximately 200 nM). Peptides extended to include a putative CK1 docking motif (FXXXF) at 70-74 positions or a F74AA mutation in full-length beta-catenin had no significant effect on CK1 phosphorylation efficiency. beta-Catenin C-terminal deletion mutants up to residue 181 maintained their high affinity, whereas removal of the 131-181 fragment, corresponding to the first armadillo repeat, was deleterious, resulting in a 50-fold increase in K(m) value. Implication of the first armadillo repeat in beta-catenin targeting by CK1 is supported in that the Y142E mutation, which mimics phosphorylation of Tyr-142 by tyrosine kinases and promotes dissociation of beta-catenin from alpha-catenin, further improves CK1 phosphorylation efficiency, lowering the K(m) value to <50 nM, approximating the physiological concentration of beta-catenin. In contrast, alpha-catenin, which interacts with the N-terminal region of beta-catenin, prevents Ser-45 phosphorylation of CK1 in a dose-dependent manner. Our data show that the integrity of the N-terminal region and the first armadillo repeat are necessary and sufficient for high-affinity phosphorylation by CK1 of Ser-45. They also suggest that beta-catenin association with alpha-catenin and beta-catenin phosphorylation by CK1 at Ser-45 are mutually exclusive.

  16. High-Fidelity Microstructural Characterization and Performance Modeling of Aluminized Composite Propellant

    DOE PAGES

    Kosiba, Graham D.; Wixom, Ryan R.; Oehlschlaeger, Matthew A.

    2017-10-27

    Image processing and stereological techniques were used to characterize the heterogeneity of composite propellant and inform a predictive burn rate model. Composite propellant samples made up of ammonium perchlorate (AP), hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), and aluminum (Al) were faced with an ion mill and imaged with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray tomography (micro-CT). Properties of both the bulk and individual components of the composite propellant were determined from a variety of image processing tools. An algebraic model, based on the improved Beckstead-Derr-Price model developed by Cohen and Strand, was used to predict the steady-state burning of the aluminized compositemore » propellant. In the presented model the presence of aluminum particles within the propellant was introduced. The thermal effects of aluminum particles are accounted for at the solid-gas propellant surface interface and aluminum combustion is considered in the gas phase using a single global reaction. In conclusion, properties derived from image processing were used directly as model inputs, leading to a sample-specific predictive combustion model.« less

  17. High-Fidelity Microstructural Characterization and Performance Modeling of Aluminized Composite Propellant

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kosiba, Graham D.; Wixom, Ryan R.; Oehlschlaeger, Matthew A.

    Image processing and stereological techniques were used to characterize the heterogeneity of composite propellant and inform a predictive burn rate model. Composite propellant samples made up of ammonium perchlorate (AP), hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), and aluminum (Al) were faced with an ion mill and imaged with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray tomography (micro-CT). Properties of both the bulk and individual components of the composite propellant were determined from a variety of image processing tools. An algebraic model, based on the improved Beckstead-Derr-Price model developed by Cohen and Strand, was used to predict the steady-state burning of the aluminized compositemore » propellant. In the presented model the presence of aluminum particles within the propellant was introduced. The thermal effects of aluminum particles are accounted for at the solid-gas propellant surface interface and aluminum combustion is considered in the gas phase using a single global reaction. In conclusion, properties derived from image processing were used directly as model inputs, leading to a sample-specific predictive combustion model.« less

  18. Forms of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in the intermediate pituitary of the holostean fish, Amia calva.

    PubMed

    Dores, R M; Sei, C A; Morrissey, M A; Crim, J W; Kawauchi, H

    1988-01-01

    Acid extracts of the intermediate pituitary of the holostean fish, Amia calva, were fractionated by gel filtration chromatography and analyzed with radioimmunoassays specific for N-acetylated beta-endorphin and C-terminally amidated alpha-MSH. In these extracts beta-endorphin-related immunoreactive material and alpha-MSH-related immunoreactive material were present in roughly equimolar amounts. The immunoreactive beta-endorphin-sized material was tested for opiate receptor binding activity using a beta-endorphin radioreceptor assay. The results of these studies were negative. The immunoreactive beta-endorphin-sized material was further analyzed by cation exchange chromatography at pH 2.5. Two major and three minor peaks of immunoreactive material were isolated. Peak 5 exhibited a net charge of +7 at pH 2.5 and represented 53% of the total immunoreactivity recovered. Peak 2 with a net charge of +3 at this pH represented 38% of the total immunoreactivity recovered. The minor forms, Peaks 1, 3 and 4, exhibited net charges of +2, +4 and +6, respectively. The apparent molecular weights of Peaks 2 and 5 were determined on a Sephadex G-50 column. Peak 2 had an apparent molecular weight of 2.7 Kd and Peak 5 had an apparent molecular weight of 3.5 Kd. Reverse phase HPLC analysis of Peak 5 indicates that this form of Amia beta-endorphin had chromatographic properties similar to salmon beta-endorphin II. These results would suggest that N-terminal acetylation and C-terminal proteolytic cleavage are important post-translational modifications of the forms of Amia beta-endorphin.

  19. Coated oxidizers for combustion stability in solid-propellant rockets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Helmy, A. M.; Ramohalli, K. N. R.

    1985-01-01

    Experiments are conducted in a laboratory-scale (6.25-cm diameter) end-burning rocket motor with state-of-the-art, ammonium perchlorate hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), nonmetallized propellants. The concept of tailoring the stability characteristics with a small amount (less than 1 percent by weight) of COATING on the oxidizer is explored. The thermal degradation characteristics of the coat chemical are deduced through theoretical arguments on thermal diffusivity of the composite material (propellant). Several candidate coats are selected and propellants are cast. These propellants (with coated oxidizers) are fired in a laboratory-scale end-burning rocket motor, and real-time pressure histories are recorded. The control propellant (with no coating) is also tested for comparison. The uniformity of the coating, confirmed by SEM pictures and BET adsorption measurements, is thought to be an advance in technology. The frequency of bulk mode instability (BMI), the pressure fluctuation amplitudes, and stability boundaries are correlated with parameters related to the characteristic length (L-asterisk) of the rocket motor. The coated oxidizer propellants, in general, display greater combustion stability than the control (state-of-the-art). The correlations of the various parameters are thought to be new to a field filled with much uncertainty.

  20. Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylated at both linker and COOH-terminal regions transmit malignant TGF-beta signal in later stages of human colorectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Matsuzaki, Koichi; Kitano, Chiaki; Murata, Miki; Sekimoto, Go; Yoshida, Katsunori; Uemura, Yoshiko; Seki, Toshihito; Taketani, Shigeru; Fujisawa, Jun-ichi; Okazaki, Kazuichi

    2009-07-01

    Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta initially inhibits growth of mature epithelial cells. Later, however, autocrine TGF-beta signaling acts in concert with the Ras pathway to induce a proliferative and invasive phenotype. TGF-beta activates not only TGF-beta type I receptor (TbetaRI) but also Ras-associated kinases, which differentially phosphorylate the mediators Smad2 and Smad3 to create distinct phosphorylated forms: COOH-terminally phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2C and pSmad3C) and both linker and COOH-terminally phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C). In this study, we investigated actions of pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C in cancer progression. TGF-beta inhibited cell growth by down-regulating c-Myc oncoprotein through the pSmad2C and pSmad3C pathway; TGF-beta signaling, in turn, enhanced cell growth by up-regulating c-Myc through the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4-dependent pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C pathways in cell nuclei. Alternatively, TbetaRI and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) together created cytoplasmic pSmad2L/C, which entered the nucleus and stimulated cell invasion, partly by up-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-9. In 20 clinical samples, pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C showed nuclear localization at invasion fronts of all TGF-beta-producing human metastatic colorectal cancers. In vitro kinase assay confirmed that nuclear CDK4 and cytoplasmic JNK obtained from the tumor tissue could phosphorylate Smad2 or Smad3 at their linker regions. We suggest that CDK4, together with JNK, alters tumor-suppressive TGF-beta signaling to malignant characteristics in later stages of human colorectal cancer. The linker phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 may represent a target for intervention in human metastatic cancer.

  1. MOON for a next-generation neutrino-less double-beta decay experiment: Present status and perspective

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shima, T.; /Osaka U., Res. Ctr. Nucl. Phys.; Doe, P.J.

    2008-01-01

    The performance of the MOON detector for a next-generation neutrino-less double-beta decay experiment was evaluated by means of the Monte Carlo method. The MOON detector was found to be a feasible solution for the future experiment to search for the Majorana neutrino mass in the range of 100-30 meV.

  2. Limit on Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay of 76Ge by GERDA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agostini, M.; Allardt, M.; Andreotti, E.; Bakalyarov, A. M.; Balata, M.; Barabanov, I.; Heider, M. Barabè; Barros, N.; Baudis, L.; Bauer, C.; Becerici-Schmidt, N.; Bellotti, E.; Belogurov, S.; Belyaev, S. T.; Benato, G.; Bettini, A.; Bezrukov, L.; Bode, T.; Brudanin, V.; Brugnera, R.; Budjáš, D.; Caldwell, A.; Cattadori, C.; Chernogorov, A.; Cossavella, F.; Demidova, E. V.; Domula, A.; Egorov, V.; Falkenstein, R.; Ferella, A.; Freund, K.; Frodyma, N.; Gangapshev, A.; Garfagnini, A.; Gotti, C.; Grabmayr, P.; Gurentsov, V.; Gusev, K.; Guthikonda, K. K.; Hampel, W.; Hegai, A.; Heisel, M.; Hemmer, S.; Heusser, G.; Hofmann, W.; Hult, M.; Inzhechik, L. V.; Csáthy, J. Janicskó; Jochum, J.; Junker, M.; Kihm, T.; Kirpichnikov, I. V.; Kirsch, A.; Klimenko, A.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Kochetov, O.; Kornoukhov, V. N.; Kuzminov, V. V.; Laubenstein, M.; Lazzaro, A.; Lebedev, V. I.; Lehnert, B.; Liao, H. Y.; Lindner, M.; Lippi, I.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Lubsandorzhiev, B.; Lutter, G.; Machado, A. A.; Macolino, C.; Majorovits, B.; Maneschg, W.; Misiaszek, M.; Nemchenok, I.; Nisi, S.; Shaughnessy, C. O.'.; Pandola, L.; Pelczar, K.; Pessina, G.; Pullia, A.; Riboldi, S.; Rumyantseva, N.; Sada, C.; Salathe, M.; Schmitt, C.; Schreiner, J.; Schulz, O.; Schwingenheuer, B.; Schönert, S.; Shevchik, E.; Shirchenko, M.; Simgen, H.; Smolnikov, A.; Stanco, L.; Strecker, H.; Tarka, M.; Ur, C. A.; Vasenko, A. A.; Volynets, O.; von Sturm, K.; Wagner, V.; Walter, M.; Wegmann, A.; Wester, T.; Wojcik, M.; Yanovich, E.; Zavarise, P.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhukov, S. V.; Zinatulina, D.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

    The Gerda experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy uses germanium detectors made from material with an enriched 76Ge isotope fraction to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of this nucleus. Applying a blind analysis we find no signal after an exposure of 21.6 kg·yr and a background of about 0.01 cts/(keV·kg·yr). A half-life limit of Tov1/2> 2.1 · 1025 yr (90% C.L.) is extracted. The previous claim of a signal for 76Ge is excluded with 99% probability in a model independent way.

  3. Mass and Double-Beta-Decay Q Value of {sup 136}Xe

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Redshaw, Matthew; Wingfield, Elizabeth; McDaniel, Joseph

    The atomic mass of {sup 136}Xe has been measured by comparing cyclotron frequencies of single ions in a Penning trap. The result, with 1 standard deviation uncertainty, is M({sup 136}Xe)=135.907 214 484 (11) u. Combined with previous results for the mass of {sup 136}Ba [Audi, Wapstra, and Thibault, Nucl. Phys. A 729, 337 (2003)], this gives a Q value (M[{sup 136}Xe]-M[{sup 136}Ba])c{sup 2}=2457.83(37) keV, sufficiently precise for ongoing searches for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of {sup 136}Xe.

  4. 76 FR 27281 - Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Type R212/4-30-4/22 and R251/4-30-4/49 Propeller...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-11

    ... Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Type R212/4-30-4/22 and R251/4-30-4/49 Propeller Assemblies AGENCY.../22 propeller assemblies with hub and driving center assembly part number (P/N) 601022105, 601022211, 601022294, 601021426, 601021858, or 601021859 installed, and type R251/4-30-4/49 propeller assemblies with...

  5. Crystal structure of papaya glutaminyl cyclase, an archetype for plant and bacterial glutaminyl cyclases.

    PubMed

    Wintjens, René; Belrhali, Hassan; Clantin, Bernard; Azarkan, Mohamed; Bompard, Coralie; Baeyens-Volant, Danielle; Looze, Yvan; Villeret, Vincent

    2006-03-24

    Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) (EC 2.3.2.5) catalyze the intramolecular cyclization of protein N-terminal glutamine residues into pyroglutamic acid with the concomitant liberation of ammonia. QCs may be classified in two groups containing, respectively, the mammalian enzymes, and the enzymes from plants, bacteria, and parasites. The crystal structure of the QC from the latex of Carica papaya (PQC) has been determined at 1.7A resolution. The structure was solved by the single wavelength anomalous diffraction technique using sulfur and zinc as anomalous scatterers. The enzyme folds into a five-bladed beta-propeller, with two additional alpha-helices and one beta hairpin. The propeller closure is achieved via an original molecular velcro, which links the last two blades into a large eight stranded beta-sheet. The zinc ion present in the PQC is bound via an octahedral coordination into an elongated cavity located along the pseudo 5-fold axis of the beta-propeller fold. This zinc ion presumably plays a structural role and may contribute to the exceptional stability of PQC, along with an extended hydrophobic packing, the absence of long loops, the three-joint molecular velcro and the overall folding itself. Multiple sequence alignments combined with structural analyses have allowed us to tentatively locate the active site, which is filled in the crystal structure either by a Tris molecule or an acetate ion. These analyses are further supported by the experimental evidence that Tris is a competitive inhibitor of PQC. The active site is located at the C-terminal entrance of the PQC central tunnel. W83, W110, W169, Q24, E69, N155, K225, F22 and F67 are highly conserved residues in the C-terminal entrance, and their putative role in catalysis is discussed. The PQC structure is representative of the plants, bacterial and parasite enzymes and contrasts with that of mammalian enzymes, that may possibly share a conserved scaffold of the bacterial aminopeptidase.

  6. Propeller torque load and propeller shaft torque response correlation during ice-propeller interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Polić, Dražen; Ehlers, Sören; Æsøy, Vilmar

    2017-03-01

    Ships use propulsion machinery systems to create directional thrust. Sailing in ice-covered waters involves the breaking of ice pieces and their submergence as the ship hull advances. Sometimes, submerged ice pieces interact with the propeller and cause irregular fluctuations of the torque load. As a result, the propeller and engine dynamics become imbalanced, and energy propagates through the propulsion machinery system until equilibrium is reached. In such imbalanced situations, the measured propeller shaft torque response is not equal to the propeller torque. Therefore, in this work, the overall system response is simulated under the ice-related torque load using the Bond graph model. The energy difference between the propeller and propeller shaft is estimated and related to their corresponding mechanical energy. Additionally, the mechanical energy is distributed among modes. Based on the distribution, kinetic and potential energy are important for the correlation between propeller torque and propeller shaft response.

  7. Insertion of terminal alkyne into Pt-N bond of the square planar [PtI2(Me2phen)] complex.

    PubMed

    Benedetti, Michele; De Castro, Federica; Lamacchia, Vincenza; Pacifico, Concetta; Natile, Giovanni; Fanizzi, Francesco P

    2017-11-21

    The reactivity of [PtX 2 (Me 2 phen)] complexes (X = Cl, Br, I; Me 2 phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) with terminal alkynes has been investigated. Although the dichlorido species [PtCl 2 (Me 2 phen)] exhibits negligible reactivity, the bromido and iodido derivatives lead in short time to the formation of five-coordinate Pt(ii) complexes of the type [PtX 2 (Me 2 phen)(η 2 -CH[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)] (X = Br, I; R = Ph, n-Bu), in equilibrium with the starting reagents. Similar to analogous complexes with simple acetylene, the five coordinate species can also undergo dissociation of an halido ligand and formation of the transient square-planar cationic species [PtX(Me 2 phen)(η 2 -CH[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)] + . This latter can further evolve to give an unusual, sparingly soluble square planar product where the former terminal alkyne is converted into a :C[double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)(R) moiety with the α-carbon bridging the Pt(ii) core with one of the two N-donors of coordinated Me 2 phen. The final product [PtX 2 {κ 2 -N,C-(Z)-N[combining low line]1-N10-C[combining low line][double bond, length as m-dash]C(H)(R)}] (N1-N10 = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; X = Br, I) contains a Pt-N-C-C-N-C six-membered chelate ring in a square planar Pt(ii) coordination environment.

  8. Testing Left-Right extensions of the standard model of electroweak interactions with double-beta decay and LHC measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Civitarese, O.; Suhonen, J.; Zuber, K.

    2015-07-01

    The minimal extension of the standard model of electroweak interactions allows for massive neutrinos, a massive right-handed boson WR, and a left-right mixing angle ζ. While an estimate of the light (electron) neutrino can be extracted from the non-observation of the neutrinoless double beta decay, the limits on the mixing angle and the mass of the righthanded (RH) boson may be extracted from a combined analysis of the double beta decay measurements (GERDA, EXO-200 and KamLAND-Zen collaborations) and ATLAS data on the two-jets two-leptons signals following the excitation of a virtual RH boson mediated by a heavy-mass neutrino. In this work we shall compare results of both types of experiments, and show that the estimates are not in tension.

  9. Ten tandem repeats of {beta}-hCG 109-118 enhance immunogenicity and anti-tumor effects of {beta}-hCG C-terminal peptide carried by mycobacterial heat-shock protein HSP65

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang Yankai; Yan Rong; He Yi

    2006-07-14

    The {beta}-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin ({beta}-hCG) is secreted by many kinds of tumors and it has been used as an ideal target antigen to develop vaccines against tumors. In view of the low immunogenicity of this self-peptide,we designed a method based on isocaudamer technique to repeat tandemly the 10-residue sequence X of {beta}-hCG (109-118), then 10 tandemly repeated copies of the 10-residue sequence combined with {beta}-hCG C-terminal 37 peptides were fused to mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 to construct a fusion protein HSP65-X10-{beta}hCGCTP37 as an immunogen. In this study, we examined the effect of the tandem repeats of this 10-residuemore » sequence in eliciting an immune by comparing the immunogenicity and anti-tumor effects of the two immunogens, HSP65-X10-{beta}hCGCTP37 and HSP65-{beta}hCGCTP37 (without the 10 tandem repeats). Immunization of mice with the fusion protein HSP65-X10-{beta}hCGCTP37 elicited much higher levels of specific anti-{beta}-hCG antibodies and more effectively inhibited the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in vivo than with HSP65-{beta}hCGCTP37, which should suggest that HSP65-X10-{beta}hCGCTP37 may be an effective protein vaccine for the treatment of {beta}-hCG-dependent tumors and multiple tandem repeats of a certain epitope are an efficient method to overcome the low immunogenicity of self-peptide antigens.« less

  10. Comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of 3′ double-nucleotide overhangs neighboring Watson–Crick terminal base pairs

    PubMed Central

    O'Toole, Amanda S.; Miller, Stacy; Haines, Nathan; Zink, M. Coleen; Serra, Martin J.

    2006-01-01

    Thermodynamic parameters are reported for duplex formation of 48 self-complementary RNA duplexes containing Watson–Crick terminal base pairs (GC, AU and UA) with all 16 possible 3′ double-nucleotide overhangs; mimicking the structures of short interfering RNAs (siRNA) and microRNAs (miRNA). Based on nearest-neighbor analysis, the addition of a second dangling nucleotide to a single 3′ dangling nucleotide increases stability of duplex formation up to 0.8 kcal/mol in a sequence dependent manner. Results from this study in conjunction with data from a previous study [A. S. O'Toole, S. Miller and M. J. Serra (2005) RNA, 11, 512.] allows for the development of a refined nearest-neighbor model to predict the influence of 3′ double-nucleotide overhangs on the stability of duplex formation. The model improves the prediction of free energy and melting temperature when tested against five oligomers with various core duplex sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of naturally occurring miRNAs was performed to support our results. Selection of the effector miR strand of the mature miRNA duplex appears to be dependent upon the identity of the 3′ double-nucleotide overhang. Thermodynamic parameters for 3′ single terminal overhangs adjacent to a UA pair are also presented. PMID:16820533

  11. The EspF N-Terminal of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL933w Imparts Stronger Toxicity Effects on HT-29 Cells than the C-Terminal.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiangyu; Du, Yanli; Hua, Ying; Fu, Muqing; Niu, Cong; Zhang, Bao; Zhao, Wei; Zhang, Qiwei; Wan, Chengsong

    2017-01-01

    Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 EspF is an important multifunctional protein that destroys the tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells and promotes host cell apoptosis. However, its molecular mechanism remains elusive. We knocked out the espF sequence (747 bp, Δ espF ), N-terminal sequence (219 bp, Δ espF N ), and C-terminal sequence (528 bp, Δ espF C ) separately using the pKD46-mediated λ Red homologous recombination system. Then, we built the corresponding complementation strains, namely, Δ espF/pespF , Δ espF N /pespF N , and Δ espF C /pespF C by overlap PCR, which were used in infecting HT-29 cells and BALB/C mice. The level of reactive oxygen species, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, inflammatory factors, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), and animal mortality were evaluated by DCFH-DA, double staining of Annexin V-FITC/PI, JC-1 staining, ELISA kit, and a mouse assay. The wild-type (WT), Δ espF , Δ espF/pespF , Δ espF C , Δ espF C /pespF C , Δ espF N , and Δ espF N /pespF N groups exhibited apoptotic rates of 68.3, 27.9, 64.9, 65.7, 73.4, 41.3, and 35.3% respectively, and mean TNF-α expression levels of 428 pg/mL, 342, 466, 446, 381, 383, and 374 pg/mL, respectively. In addition, the apoptotic rates and TNF-α levels of the WT, Δ espF/pespF , and Δ espF C were significantly higher than that of Δ espF , Δ espF N , Δ espF C /pespF C , and Δ espF N /pespF N group ( p < 0.05). The N-terminal of EspF resulted in an increase in the number of apoptotic cells, TNF-α secretion, ROS generation, mitochondria apoptosis, and pathogenicity in BalB/c mice. In conclusion, the N-terminal domain of the Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 EspF more strongly promotes apoptosis and inflammation than the C-terminal domain.

  12. Regression rate behaviors of HTPB-based propellant combinations for hybrid rocket motor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Xingliang; Tian, Hui; Li, Yuelong; Yu, Nanjia; Cai, Guobiao

    2016-02-01

    The purpose of this paper is to characterize the regression rate behavior of hybrid rocket motor propellant combinations, using hydrogen peroxide (HP), gaseous oxygen (GOX), nitrous oxide (N2O) as the oxidizer and hydroxyl-terminated poly-butadiene (HTPB) as the based fuel. In order to complete this research by experiment and simulation, a hybrid rocket motor test system and a numerical simulation model are established. Series of hybrid rocket motor firing tests are conducted burning different propellant combinations, and several of those are used as references for numerical simulations. The numerical simulation model is developed by combining the Navies-Stokes equations with the turbulence model, one-step global reaction model, and solid-gas coupling model. The distribution of regression rate along the axis is determined by applying simulation mode to predict the combustion process and heat transfer inside the hybrid rocket motor. The time-space averaged regression rate has a good agreement between the numerical value and experimental data. The results indicate that the N2O/HTPB and GOX/HTPB propellant combinations have a higher regression rate, since the enhancement effect of latter is significant due to its higher flame temperature. Furthermore, the containing of aluminum (Al) and/or ammonium perchlorate(AP) in the grain does enhance the regression rate, mainly due to the more energy released inside the chamber and heat feedback to the grain surface by the aluminum combustion.

  13. 1H, 13C and 15N assignment of the C-terminal domain of GNA2132 from Neisseria meningitidis.

    PubMed

    Esposito, Veronica; Musi, Valeria; Veggi, Daniele; Pastore, Annalisa; Pizza, Mariagrazia

    2010-04-01

    GNA2132 (Genome-derived Neisseria Antigen 2132) is a surface-exposed lipoprotein discovered by reverse vaccinology and expressed by genetically diverse Neisseria meningitidis strains (Pizza et al. 2000). The protein induces bactericidal antibodies against most strains of Meningococccus and has been included in a multivalent recombinant vaccine against N. meningitidis serogroup B. Structure determination of GNA2132 is important for understanding the antigenic properties of the protein in view of increased efficiency vaccine development. We report practically complete (1)H, (13)C and (15)N assignment of the detectable spectrum of a highly conserved C-terminal region of GNA2132 (residues 245-427) in micellar solution, a medium used to improve the spectral quality. The first 32 residues of our construct up to residue 277 were not visible in the spectrum, presumably because of line broadening due to solvent and/or conformational exchange. Secondary structure predictions based on chemical shift information indicate the presence of an all beta-protein with eight beta strands.

  14. Inhibition of human megakaryocytopoiesis in vitro by platelet factor 4 (PF4) and a synthetic COOH-terminal PF4 peptide.

    PubMed Central

    Gewirtz, A M; Calabretta, B; Rucinski, B; Niewiarowski, S; Xu, W Y

    1989-01-01

    We report that highly purified human platelet factor 4 (PF4) inhibits human megakaryocytopoiesis in vitro. At greater than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml, PF4 inhibited megakaryocyte colony formation approximately 80% in unstimulated cultures, and approximately 58% in cultures containing recombinant human IL 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Because PF4 (25 micrograms/ml) had no effect on either myeloid or erythroid colony formation lineage specificity of this effect was suggested. A synthetic COOH-terminal PF4 peptide of 24, but not 13 residues, also inhibited megakaryocyte colony formation, whereas a synthetic 18-residue beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) peptide and native beta-TG had no such effect when assayed at similar concentrations. The mechanism of PF4-mediated inhibition was investigated. First, we enumerated total cell number, and examined cell maturation in control colonies (n = 200) and colonies (n = 100) that arose in PF4-containing cultures. Total cells per colony did not differ dramatically in the two groups (6.1 +/- 3.0 vs. 4.2 +/- 1.6, respectively), but the numbers of mature large cells per colony was significantly decreased in the presence of PF4 when compared with controls (1.6 +/- 1.5 vs. 3.9 +/- 2.3; P less than 0.001). Second, by using the human leukemia cell line HEL as a model for primitive megakaryocytic cells, we studied the effect of PF4 on cell doubling time, on the expression of both growth-regulated (H3, p53, c-myc,and c-myb), and non-growth-regulated (beta 2-microglobulin) genes. At high concentrations of native PF4 (50 micrograms/ml), no effect on cell doubling time, or H3 or p53 expression was discerned. In contrast, c-myc and c-myb were both upregulated. These results suggested the PF4 inhibited colony formation by impeding cell maturation, as opposed to cell proliferation, perhaps by inducing expression of c-myc and c-myb. The ability of PF4 to inhibit a normal cell maturation function was then tested

  15. Problem Definition Study: Lead Beta-Resorcylate

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-02-01

    unless so desig- nated by other authorized documents. -3- »SUMMARY Lead ß-resorcylate is used as a burning rate modifier in solid propel- lant... sediment and biota 3. Acute mammalian toxicity study 4. Chronic mammalian toxicity study 5. Determine the effectiveness of proposed treatment...burning rate moderator in solvent and solventless double base propellents. This salt enters the environment in the wastewater generated during the

  16. Low noise propeller design using numerical analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Humpert, Bryce

    The purpose of this study is to explore methods for reducing aircraft propeller noise with minimal losses in performance. Using numerical analysis, a standard two blade propeller configuration was taken from experiments conducted by Patrick, Finn, and Stich, and implemented into the numerical code XROTOR. The blade design modifications that were investigated to achieve the proposed goals include: increasing the number of blades, adjusting the chord length, beta distribution, radius of the blade, airfoil shape, and operating RPM. In order to determine the optimal blade design, a baseline case is first developed and the parameters listed earlier are then varied to create a new propeller design that reduces the sound pressure level (SPL) while maintaining performance levels within a predetermined range of the original specifications. From the analysis, the most significant improvements observed in lowering the acoustic signature are dominated by operating rpm and blade radius. A three-, four-, and five-blade configuration was developed that reduced the SPL generated by the propeller during cruise flight conditions. The optimum configuration that produced the greatest SPL reduction was the five-blade configuration. The resulting sound pressure level was reduced from the original 77 dB at 1000' ft above ground level (AGL), to 54 dB at 1000' AGL while remaining within 1.4% of the original thrust and efficiency.

  17. The Majorana Demonstrator: A search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of germanium-76

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elliott, S. R.; Abgrall, N.; Aguayo, E.; Avignone, F. T., III; Barabash, A. S.; Bertrand, F. E.; Boswell, M.; Brudanin, V.; Busch, M.; Caldwell, A. S.; Chan, Y.-D.; Christofferson, C. D.; Combs, D. C.; Detwiler, J. A.; Doe, P. J.; Efremenko, Yu.; Egorov, V.; Ejiri, H.; Esterline, J.; Fast, J. E.; Finnerty, P.; Fraenkle, F. M.; Galindo-Uribarri, A.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Goett, J.; Green, M. P.; Gruszko, J.; Guiseppe, V. E.; Gusev, K.; Hallin, A. L.; Hazama, R.; Hegai, A.; Henning, R.; Hoppe, E. W.; Howard, S.; Howe, M. A.; Keeter, K. J.; Kidd, M. F.; Kochetov, O.; Konovalov, S. I.; Kouzes, R. T.; LaFerriere, B. D.; Leon, J.; Leviner, L. E.; Loach, J. C.; MacMullin, S.; Martin, R. D.; Mertens, S.; Mizouni, L.; Nomachi, M.; Orrell, J. L.; O'Shaughnessy, C.; Overman, N. R.; Phillips, D. G., II; Poon, A. W. P.; Pushkin, K.; Radford, D. C.; Rielage, K.; Robertson, R. G. H.; Ronquest, M. C.; Schubert, A. G.; Shanks, B.; Shima, T.; Shirchenko, M.; Snavely, K. J.; Snyder, N.; Soin, A.; Strain, J.; Suriano, A. M.; Timkin, V.; Tornow, W.; Varner, R. L.; Vasilyev, S.; Vetter, K.; Vorren, K.; White, B. R.; Wilkerson, J. F.; Xu, W.; Yakushev, E.; Young, A. R.; Yu, C.-H.; Yumatov, V.

    2013-12-01

    The Majorana collaboration is searching for neutrinoless double beta decay using 76Ge, which has been shown to have a number of advantages in terms of sensitivities and backgrounds. The observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay would show that lepton number is violated and that neutrinos are Majorana particles and would simultaneously provide information on neutrino mass. Attaining sensitivities for neutrino masses in the inverted hierarchy region, 15 - 50 meV, will require large, tonne-scale detectors with extremely low backgrounds, at the level of ˜1 count/t-y or lower in the region of the signal. The Majorana collaboration, with funding support from DOE Office of Nuclear Physics and NSF Particle Astrophysics, is constructing the Demonstrator, an array consisting of 40 kg of p-type point-contact high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors, of which ˜30 kg will be enriched to 87% in 76Ge. The Demonstrator is being constructed in a clean room laboratory facility at the 4850' level (4300 m.w.e.) of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, SD. It utilizes a compact graded shield approach with the inner portion consisting of ultra-clean Cu that is being electroformed and machined underground. The primary aim of the Demonstrator is to show the feasibility of a future tonne-scale measurement in terms of backgrounds and scalability.

  18. Neutrinoless double-beta decay search with CUORE and CUORE-0 experiments

    DOE PAGES

    Moggi, N.; Artusa, D. R.; F. T. Avignone; ...

    2015-03-24

    The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is an upcoming experiment designed to search for the neutrinoless double-beta decays. Observation of the process would unambiguously establish that neutrinos are Majorana particles and provide information on their absolute mass scale hierarchy. CUORE is now under construction and will consist of an array of 988 TeO 2 crystal bolometers operated at 10 mK, but the first tower (CUORE-0) is already taking data. The experimental techniques used will be presented as well as the preliminary CUORE-0 results. The current status of the full-mass experiment and its expected sensitivity will then be discussed.

  19. Ferrous Iron Up-regulation in Fibroblasts of Patients with Beta Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN).

    PubMed

    Ingrassia, Rosaria; Memo, Maurizio; Garavaglia, Barbara

    2017-01-01

    Mutations in WDR45 gene, coding for a beta-propeller protein, have been found in patients affected by Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation, NBIA5 (also known as BPAN). BPAN is a movement disorder with Non Transferrin Bound Iron (NTBI) accumulation in the basal ganglia as common hallmark between NBIA classes (Hayflick et al., 2013). WDR45 has been predicted to have a role in autophagy, while the impairment of iron metabolism in the different NBIA subclasses has not currently been clarified. We found the up-regulation of the ferrous iron transporter (-)IRE/Divalent Metal Transporter1 and down-regulation of Transferrin receptor in the fibroblasts of two BPAN affected patients with splicing mutations 235+1G>A (BPAN1) and 517_519ΔVal 173 (BPAN2). The BPAN patients showed a concomitant increase of intracellular ferrous iron after starvation. An altered pattern of iron transporters with iron overload is highlighted in BPAN human fibroblasts, supporting for a role of DMT1 in NBIA. We here present a novel element, about iron accumulation, to the existing knowledge in field of NBIA. Attention is focused to a starvation-dependent iron overload, possibly accounting for iron accumulation in the basal ganglia. Further investigation could clarify iron regulation in BPAN.

  20. Propellant Readiness Level: A Methodological Approach to Propellant Characterization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bossard, John A.; Rhys, Noah O.

    2010-01-01

    A methodological approach to defining propellant characterization is presented. The method is based on the well-established Technology Readiness Level nomenclature. This approach establishes the Propellant Readiness Level as a metric for ascertaining the readiness of a propellant or a propellant combination by evaluating the following set of propellant characteristics: thermodynamic data, toxicity, applications, combustion data, heat transfer data, material compatibility, analytical prediction modeling, injector/chamber geometry, pressurization, ignition, combustion stability, system storability, qualification testing, and flight capability. The methodology is meant to be applicable to all propellants or propellant combinations; liquid, solid, and gaseous propellants as well as monopropellants and propellant combinations are equally served. The functionality of the proposed approach is tested through the evaluation and comparison of an example set of hydrocarbon fuels.

  1. A new mucosal propeller flap (deep lingual artery axial propeller): the renaissance of lingual flaps.

    PubMed

    Cordova, Adriana; Toia, Francesca; D'Arpa, Salvatore; Giunta, Gabriele; Moschella, Francesco

    2015-03-01

    Lingual flaps provide ideal mucosal coverage for intraoral defects but traditionally require two surgical stages. The authors present an axial mucosal propeller flap for single-stage intraoral reconstruction. The flap includes the mucosa of the lateral side of the tongue, islanded on the deep lingual vessels. Between 2011 and 2013, 23 patients underwent intraoral mucosal reconstruction with a deep lingual artery axial propeller flap after cancer resection in the cheek (n = 16), floor of the mouth (n = 2), retromolar trigone (n = 2), hard palate (n = 2), and soft palate (n = 1). Mean defect size was 19.5 cm. Preoperative and postoperative intraoral function was evaluated with the Functional Intraoral Glasgow Scale. The authors always achieved one-stage reconstruction with primary donor-site closure. The only complications were an infection treated conservatively and a late oronasal fistula caused by radiotherapy. All patients resumed an oral diet after 1 week and none required surgical revision. Mean 12-month postoperative Functional Intraoral Glasgow Scale score was better than the preoperative score (13.5 versus 12.8). The deep lingual artery axial propeller flap combines the advantages of the traditional lingual flap (i.e., reliable axial vascularization and like-with-like reconstruction) with those of a propeller flap (i.e., one-stage transfer of like tissue and extreme mobility) and has wider indications than a conventional lingual flap. The technique is fast and has low morbidity and good functional results, and the authors recommend it as a first-choice technique to reconstruct moderate to large intraoral defects. Therapeutic, IV.

  2. Characterization of Nuclear Recoils in High Pressure Xenon Gas: Towards a Simultaneous Search for WIMP Dark Matter and Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

    DOE PAGES

    Renner, J.; Gehman, V. M.; Goldschmidt, A.; ...

    2015-03-24

    Xenon has recently been the medium of choice in several large scale detectors searching for WIMP dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay. Though present-day large scale experiments use liquid xenon, the gas phase offers advantages favorable to both types of searches such as improved intrinsic energy resolution and fewer fluctuations in the partition of deposited energy between scintillation and ionization channels. We recently constructed a high pressure xenon gas TPC as a prototype for the NEXT (Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC) neutrinoless double beta decay experiment and have demonstrated the feasibility of 0.5% FWHM energy resolution at themore » 136Xe double beta Q-value with 3-D tracking capabilities. We now present results from this prototype on the simultaneous observation of scintillation and ionization produced by nuclear recoils at approximately 14 bar pressure. The recoils were produced by neutrons of approximately 2-6 MeV emitted from a radioisotope plutonium-beryllium source, and primary scintillation (S1) and electroluminescent photons produced by ionization (S2) were observed. We discuss the potential of gaseous xenon to distinguish between electron and nuclear recoils through the ratio of these two signals S2/S1. From these results combined with the possibility of using columnar recombination to sense nuclear recoil directionality at high pressures we envision a dual-purpose, ton-scale gaseous xenon detector capable of a combined search for WIMP dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay. This work has been performed within the context of the NEXT collaboration.« less

  3. Cortisone Dissociates the Shaker Family K Channels from their Beta Subunit

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pan, Y.; Weng, J; Kabaleeswaran, V

    2008-01-01

    The Shaker family voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv1) are expressed in a wide variety of cells and are essential for cellular excitability. In humans, loss-of-function mutations of Kv1 channels lead to hyperexcitability and are directly linked to episodic ataxia and atrial fibrillation. All Kv1 channels assemble with {Beta} subunits (Kv{Beta}s), and certain Kv{Beta}s, for example Kv{Beta}1, have an N-terminal segment that closes the channel by the N-type inactivation mechanism. In principle, dissociation of Kv{Beta}1, although never reported, should eliminate inactivation and thus potentiate Kv1 current. We found that cortisone increases rat Kv1 channel activity by binding to Kv{Beta}1. A crystal structuremore » of the K{Beta}v-cortisone complex was solved to 1.82-{angstrom}resolution and revealed novel cortisone binding sites. Further studies demonstrated that cortisone promotes dissociation of Kv{Beta}. The new mode of channel modulation may be explored by native or synthetic ligands to fine-tune cellular excitability.« less

  4. Oxidative Folding and N-terminal Cyclization of Onconase+

    PubMed Central

    Welker, Ervin; Hathaway, Laura; Xu, Guoqiang; Narayan, Mahesh; Pradeep, Lovy; Shin, Hang-Cheol; Scheraga, Harold A.

    2008-01-01

    Cyclization of the N-terminal glutamine residue to pyroglutamic acid in onconase, an anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent, increases the activity and stability of the protein. Here, we examine the correlated effects of the folding/unfolding process and the formation of this N-terminal pyroglutamic acid. The results in this study indicate that cyclization of the N-terminal glutamine has no significant effect on the rate of either reductive unfolding or oxidative folding of the protein. Both the cyclized and uncyclized proteins seem to follow the same oxidative folding pathways; however, cyclization altered the relative flux of the protein in these two pathways by increasing the rate of formation of a kinetically trapped intermediate. Glutaminyl cyclase (QC) catalyzed the cyclization of the unfolded, reduced protein, but had no effect on the disulfide-intact, uncyclized, folded protein. The structured intermediates of uncyclized onconase were also resistant to QC-catalysis, consistent with their having a native-like fold. These observations suggest that, in vivo, cyclization takes place during the initial stages of oxidative folding, specifically, before the formation of structured intermediates. The competition between oxidative folding and QC-mediated cyclization suggests that QC-catalyzed cyclization of the N-terminal glutamine in onconase occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum, probably co-translationally. PMID:17439243

  5. Analysis of propellant feedline dynamics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holster, J. L.; Astleford, W. J.; Gerlach, C. R.

    1973-01-01

    An analytical model and corresponding computer program for studying disturbances of liquid propellants in typical engine feedline systems were developed. The model includes the effects of steady turbulent mean flow, the influence of distributed compliances, the effects of local compliances, and various factors causing structural-hydraulic coupling. The computer program was set up such that the amplitude and phase of the terminal pressure/input excitation is calculated over any desired frequency range for an arbitrary assembly of various feedline components. A user's manual is included.

  6. Interactions of Plakoglobin and [beta]-Catenin with Desmosomal Cadherins BASIS OF SELECTIVE EXCLUSION OF [alpha]- AND [beta]-CATENIN FROM DESMOSOMES

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Choi, Hee-Jung; Gross, Julia C.; Pokutta, Sabine

    2009-11-18

    Plakoglobin and {beta}-catenin are homologous armadillo repeat proteins found in adherens junctions, where they interact with the cytoplasmic domain of classical cadherins and with {alpha}-catenin. Plakoglobin, but normally not {beta}-catenin, is also a structural constituent of desmosomes, where it binds to the cytoplasmic domains of the desmosomal cadherins, desmogleins and desmocollins. Here, we report structural, biophysical, and biochemical studies aimed at understanding the molecular basis of selective exclusion of {beta}-catenin and {alpha}-catenin from desmosomes. The crystal structure of the plakoglobin armadillo domain bound to phosphorylated E-cadherin shows virtually identical interactions to those observed between {beta}-catenin and E-cadherin. Trypsin sensitivity experimentsmore » indicate that the plakoglobin arm domain by itself is more flexible than that of {beta}-catenin. Binding of plakoglobin and {beta}-catenin to the intracellular regions of E-cadherin, desmoglein1, and desmocollin1 was measured by isothermal titration calorimetry. Plakoglobin and {beta}-catenin bind strongly and with similar thermodynamic parameters to E-cadherin. In contrast, {beta}-catenin binds to desmoglein-1 more weakly than does plakoglobin. {beta}-Catenin and plakoglobin bind with similar weak affinities to desmocollin-1. Full affinity binding of desmoglein-1 requires sequences C-terminal to the region homologous to the catenin-binding domain of classical cadherins. Although pulldown assays suggest that the presence of N- and C-terminal {beta}-catenin 'tails' that flank the armadillo repeat region reduces the affinity for desmosomal cadherins, calorimetric measurements show no significant effects of the tails on binding to the cadherins. Using purified proteins, we show that desmosomal cadherins and {alpha}-catenin compete directly for binding to plakoglobin, consistent with the absence of {alpha}-catenin in desmosomes.« less

  7. The N-terminal strand modulates immunoglobulin light chain fibrillogenesis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pozo-Yauner, Luis del, E-mail: ldelpozo@inmegen.gob.mx; Wall, Jonathan S.; González Andrade, Martín

    2014-01-10

    Highlights: •We evaluated the impact of mutations in the N-terminal strand of 6aJL2 protein. •Mutations destabilized the protein in a position-dependent manner. •Destabilizing mutations accelerated the fibrillogenesis by shortening the lag time. •The effect on the kinetic of fibril elongation by seeding was of different nature. •The N-terminal strand is buried in the fibrillar state of 6aJL2 protein. -- Abstract: It has been suggested that the N-terminal strand of the light chain variable domain (V{sub L}) protects the molecule from aggregation by hindering spurious intermolecular contacts. We evaluated the impact of mutations in the N-terminal strand on the thermodynamic stabilitymore » and kinetic of fibrillogenesis of the V{sub L} protein 6aJL2. Mutations in this strand destabilized the protein in a position-dependent manner, accelerating the fibrillogenesis by shortening the lag time; an effect that correlated with the extent of destabilization. In contrast, the effect on the kinetics of fibril elongation, as assessed in seeding experiments was of different nature, as it was not directly dependant on the degree of destabilization. This finding suggests different factors drive the nucleation-dependent and elongation phases of light chain fibrillogenesis. Finally, taking advantage of the dependence of the Trp fluorescence upon environment, four single Trp substitutions were made in the N-terminal strand, and changes in solvent exposure during aggregation were evaluated by acrylamide-quenching. The results suggest that the N-terminal strand is buried in the fibrillar state of 6aJL2 protein. This finding suggest a possible explanation for the modulating effect exerted by the mutations in this strand on the aggregation behavior of 6aJL2 protein.« less

  8. SS/RCS surface tension propellant acquisition/expulsion tankage technology program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1974-01-01

    An evaluation of published propellant physical property data together with bubble point tests of fine-mesh screen in propellants, was conducted. The effort consisted of: (1) the collection and evaluation of pertinent physical property data for hydrazine (N2H4), monomethylhydrazine (MMH), and nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4); (2) testing to determine the effect of dissolved pressurant gas, temperature, purity, and system cleanliness or contamination on system bubble point, and (3) the compilation and publishing of both the literature and test results. The space shuttle reaction control system (SS/RCS) is a bipropellant system using N2O4 and MMH, while the auxiliary power system (SS/APU) employs monopropellant N2H4. Since both the RCS and the APU use a surface tension device for propellant acquisition, the propellant properties of interest are those which impact the design and operation of surface tension systems. Information on propellant density, viscosity, surface tension, and contact angle was collected, compiled, and evaluated.

  9. Measurement of the double-{beta} decay half-life of {sup 150}Nd and search for neutrinoless decay modes with the NEMO-3 detector

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Argyriades, J.; Augier, C.; Bongrand, M.

    2009-09-15

    The half-life for double-{beta} decay of {sup 150}Nd has been measured by the NEMO-3 experiment at the Modane Underground Laboratory. Using 924.7 days of data recorded with 36.55 g of {sup 150}Nd, we measured the half-life for 2{nu}{beta}{beta} decay to be T{sub 1/2}{sup 2{nu}}=(9.11{sub -0.22}{sup +0.25}(stat.){+-}0.63(syst.))x10{sup 18} yr. The observed limit on the half-life for neutrinoless double-{beta} decay is found to be T{sub 1/2}{sup 0{nu}}>1.8x10{sup 22} yr at 90% confidence level. This translates into a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass of <4.0-6.3 eV if the nuclear deformation is taken into account. We also set limits on modelsmore » involving Majoron emission, right-handed currents, and transitions to excited states.« less

  10. N-terminal domains of human DNA polymerase lambda promote primer realignment during translesion DNA synthesis

    PubMed Central

    Taggart, David J.; Dayeh, Daniel M.; Fredrickson, Saul W.; Suo, Zucai

    2014-01-01

    The X-family DNA polymerases λ (Polλ) and β (Polβ) possess similar 5′-2-deoxyribose-5-phosphatelyase (dRPase) and polymerase domains. Besides these domains, Polλ also possesses a BRCA1 C-terminal (BRCT) domain and a proline-rich domain at its N terminus. However, it is unclear how these non-enzymatic domains contribute to the unique biological functions of Polλ. Here, we used primer extension assays and a newly developed high-throughput short oligonucleotide sequencing assay (HT-SOSA) to compare the efficiency of lesion bypass and fidelity of human Polβ, Polλ and two N-terminal deletion constructs of Polλ during the bypass of either an abasic site or a 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) lesion. We demonstrate that the BRCT domain of Polλ enhances the efficiency of abasic site bypass by approximately 1.6-fold. In contrast, deletion of the N-terminal domains of Polλ did not affect the efficiency of 8-oxodG bypass relative to nucleotide incorporations opposite undamaged dG. HT-SOSA analysis demonstrated that Polλ and Polβ preferentially generated −1 or −2 frameshift mutations when bypassing an abasic site and the single or double base deletion frequency was highly sequence dependent. Interestingly, the BRCT and proline-rich domains of Polλ cooperatively promoted the generation of −2 frameshift mutations when the abasic site was situated within a sequence context that was susceptible to homology-driven primer realignment. Furthermore, both N-terminal domains of Polλ increased the generation of −1 frameshift mutations during 8-oxodG bypass and influenced the frequency of substitution mutations produced by Polλ opposite the 8-oxodG lesion. Overall, our data support a model wherein the BRCT and proline-rich domains of Polλ act cooperatively to promote primer/template realignment between DNA strands of limited sequence homology. This function of the N-terminal domains may facilitate the role of Polλ as a gap-filling polymerase

  11. NEXT, a HPXe TPC for neutrinoless double beta decay searches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gómez-Cadenas, J. J.; Martín-Albo, J.

    2008-11-01

    The next-generation experiments for neutrinoless double beta decay searches are a major challenge, since the detectors have to fulfill conflicting requirements: they have to be very massive and scalable; very sensitive to the signature of the ββ processes, and simultaneously impose extremely stringent limits on the copious backgrounds. A high-pressure gaseous Xenon TPC may be the ideal detector for this purpose: the isotope 136Xe is almost 9% of natural Xenon and enrichment by centrifugation is a relatively easy technology as demonstrated by the EXO collaboration; the detector can be extrapolated to large masses; energy resolution in gas is expected to be at the level of 1% FWHM at Qββ this fact, combined with the very long life of the ββ2ν mode accounts for negligible backgrounds of intrinsic origin up to masses of the order of 1 ton. The detector is fully active and the gas can be continuously re-circulated and purified, which, together with the existence of a kinematical signature gives an extra handle against backgrounds. NEXT (Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC) is an on-going project that aims to build a 100 kg HPXe TPC at a pressure of ~10 bar. The experiment has already been aproved by the scientific committee of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC), in Spain, for the initial R&D phase. The NEXT Collaboration has defined an ambitious roadmap for the next five years: an initial phase of R&D during 2 years will be used to decide the technology (MicroMegas, GEMs. APDs. PMTs, etc.); in 3 years a first prototype (NEXT-10) will be constructed; followed by NEXT-100 in 5 years. A special grant (Consolider-Ingenio 2010) from the Ministry of Science of Spain will fund the experiment during this period. The Collaboration is composed by the leading Spanish groups in experimental neutrino and underground physics. The general ideas behind neutrinoless double beta decay searches with a HPXe TPC are discussed in this note.

  12. Identification and Functional Characterization of N-Terminally Acetylated Proteins in Drosophila melanogaster

    PubMed Central

    Gerrits, Bertran; Roschitzki, Bernd; Mohanty, Sonali; Niederer, Eva M.; Laczko, Endre; Timmerman, Evy; Lange, Vinzenz; Hafen, Ernst; Aebersold, Ruedi; Vandekerckhove, Joël; Basler, Konrad; Ahrens, Christian H.; Gevaert, Kris; Brunner, Erich

    2009-01-01

    Protein modifications play a major role for most biological processes in living organisms. Amino-terminal acetylation of proteins is a common modification found throughout the tree of life: the N-terminus of a nascent polypeptide chain becomes co-translationally acetylated, often after the removal of the initiating methionine residue. While the enzymes and protein complexes involved in these processes have been extensively studied, only little is known about the biological function of such N-terminal modification events. To identify common principles of N-terminal acetylation, we analyzed the amino-terminal peptides from proteins extracted from Drosophila Kc167 cells. We detected more than 1,200 mature protein N-termini and could show that N-terminal acetylation occurs in insects with a similar frequency as in humans. As the sole true determinant for N-terminal acetylation we could extract the (X)PX rule that indicates the prevention of acetylation under all circumstances. We could show that this rule can be used to genetically engineer a protein to study the biological relevance of the presence or absence of an acetyl group, thereby generating a generic assay to probe the functional importance of N-terminal acetylation. We applied the assay by expressing mutated proteins as transgenes in cell lines and in flies. Here, we present a straightforward strategy to systematically study the functional relevance of N-terminal acetylations in cells and whole organisms. Since the (X)PX rule seems to be of general validity in lower as well as higher eukaryotes, we propose that it can be used to study the function of N-terminal acetylation in all species. PMID:19885390

  13. Isolation and characterization of beta- and gamma-caseins from horse milk.

    PubMed Central

    Visser, S; Jenness, R; Mullin, R J

    1982-01-01

    Three groups of casein components were isolated from horse milk. Group I is almost insoluble at acid and neutral pH, and is rather heterogeneous on alkaline gels with or without sodium dodecyl sulphate. Group II shows strong similarity to beta-casein from other species, as concluded from its amino acid composition and its N- and C-terminal sequences. This group consists of five electrophoretically distinguishable forms, all containing ester phosphate groups but no carbohydrate. Group III is composed of C-terminal fragments of the beta-like (group II) fraction and probably arises from the action of a plasmin-like enzyme present in horse milk. It does not contain phosphate or carbohydrate. Homology of this group with bovine gamma-caseins is demonstrated. Both beta- and gamma-like caseins are more soluble at 4 degrees C than at room temperature. Images Fig. 1. Fig. 3. Fig. 5. PMID:6213224

  14. Search for double beta decay with HPGe detectors at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chkvorets, Oleg

    2008-12-01

    Neutrinoless double-beta decay is practically the only way to establish the Majorana nature of the neutrino mass and its decay rate provides a probe of an effective neutrino mass. Double beta experiments are long-running underground experiments with specific challenges concerning the background reduction and the long term stability. These problems are addressed in this work for the Heidelberg-Moscow (HdM), GENIUS Test Facility (TF) and GERDA experiments. The HdM experiment collected data with enriched 76Ge high purity (HPGe) detectors from 1990 to 2003. An improved analysis of HdM data is presented, exploiting new calibration and spectral shape measurements with the HdM detectors. GENIUS-TF was a test-facility that verified the feasibility of using bare germanium detectors in liquid nitrogen. The first year results of this experiment are discussed. The GERDA experiment has been designed to further increase the sensitivity by operating bare germanium detectors in a high purity cryogenic liquid, which simultaneously serves as a shielding against background and as a cooling media. In the preparatory stage of GERDA, an external background gamma flux measurement was done at the experimental site in the Hall A of the Gran Sasso laboratory. The characterization of the enriched detectors from the HdM and IGEX experiments was performed in the underground detector laboratory for the GERDA collaboration. Long term stability measurements of a bare HPGe detector in liquid argon were carried out. Based on these measurements, the first lower limit on the half-life of neutrinoless double electron capture of 36Ar was established to be 1.85*10^18 years at 68% C.L.

  15. N-terminal tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-2 negates anti-proliferative effect of transforming growth factor beta in endothelial cells

    PubMed Central

    Abel, Britain; Willoughby, Cara; Jang, Sungchan; Cooper, Laura; Xie, Leike; Vo-Ransdell, Chi; Sowa, Grzegorz

    2012-01-01

    Here we show that tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-2 (Cav-2) negatively regulates the anti-proliferative function of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in endothelial cells. In contrast to wild-type-Cav-2, retroviral re-expression of Y19/27F-Cav-2 in Cav-2 knockout endothelial cells did not affect anti-proliferative effect of TGF-beta compared to empty vector. Conversely, although less effective than wild-type, re-expression of S23/36A-Cav-2 reduced the effect of TGF-beta compared to empty vector. This differential effect of tyrosine and serine phosphorylation mutants of Cav-2 correlated with TGF-beta-induced Smad3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Thus tyrosine-phosphorylated Cav-2 counteracts anti-proliferative effect of TGF-beta in endothelial cells. PMID:22819829

  16. Technical and Economic Analyses to Assess the Feasibility of Using Propellant - No. 2 Fuel Oil Slurries as Supplemental Fuels

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-09-01

    proneilant contains predominantly nitrocellulose; double-base propellant is a solution of nit oglycerin plasticizer in nitocellulose; and triple-base...nitrocellulose- based propellants to promote long-term stability and prolong the safe storage life of these materials. The chemical compounds which...bases. Dibutylphthalate Plasticizer . Peptizes binders such as nitrocellulose (DBP) so that fibers form plastics such as propellant. Improves mechanical

  17. [Role of Ski/SnoN protein in the regulation of TGF-beta signal pathway].

    PubMed

    Lu, Zhao-hui; Chen, Jie

    2003-04-01

    TGF-beta signal pathway plays an important role in the cell growth, differentiation, formation of extracellular matrix, embryo development and carcinogenesis, etc. However, the regulation of TGF-beta pathway is not totally understood. In 1999, three independent research groups found that Ski/SnoN protein could inhibit the TGF-beta mediated transcription by recruiting N-CoR, a transcription co-repressor. Later studies suggested that TGF-beta and SMADs degraded the Ski/SnoN protein by mediating ubiquitin linkage, showing negative feedback regulation. The important findings in Ski/SnoN laid the theoretical foundation for demonstrating the function of TGF-beta signal pathway.

  18. N-Terminal Acetylation Inhibits Protein Targeting to the Endoplasmic Reticulum

    PubMed Central

    Forte, Gabriella M. A.; Pool, Martin R.; Stirling, Colin J.

    2011-01-01

    Amino-terminal acetylation is probably the most common protein modification in eukaryotes with as many as 50%–80% of proteins reportedly altered in this way. Here we report a systematic analysis of the predicted N-terminal processing of cytosolic proteins versus those destined to be sorted to the secretory pathway. While cytosolic proteins were profoundly biased in favour of processing, we found an equal and opposite bias against such modification for secretory proteins. Mutations in secretory signal sequences that led to their acetylation resulted in mis-sorting to the cytosol in a manner that was dependent upon the N-terminal processing machinery. Hence N-terminal acetylation represents an early determining step in the cellular sorting of nascent polypeptides that appears to be conserved across a wide range of species. PMID:21655302

  19. VIABILITY OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS SPORES IN ROCKET PROPELLANTS.

    PubMed

    GODDING, R M; LYNCH, V H

    1965-01-01

    The sporicidal activity of components used in liquid and solid rocket propellants was tested by use of spores of Bacillus subtilis dried on powdered glass. Liquid propellant ingredients tested were N(2)O(4), monomethylhydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine. N(2)O(4) was immediately sporicidal; the hydrazines were effective within several days. Solid propellants consisted of ammonium perchlorate in combination with epoxy resin (EPON 828), tris-1-(2-methyl) aziridinyl phosphine oxide, bis-1-(2-methyl) aziridinyl phenylphosphine oxide, and three modified polybutadiene polymers. There was no indication of appreciable sporicidal activity of these components.

  20. Viability of Bacillus subtilis Spores in Rocket Propellants

    PubMed Central

    Godding, Rogene M.; Lynch, Victoria H.

    1965-01-01

    The sporicidal activity of components used in liquid and solid rocket propellants was tested by use of spores of Bacillus subtilis dried on powdered glass. Liquid propellant ingredients tested were N2O4, monomethylhydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine. N2O4 was immediately sporicidal; the hydrazines were effective within several days. Solid propellants consisted of ammonium perchlorate in combination with epoxy resin (EPON 828), tris-1-(2-methyl) aziridinyl phosphine oxide, bis-1-(2-methyl) aziridinyl phenylphosphine oxide, and three modified polybutadiene polymers. There was no indication of appreciable sporicidal activity of these components. PMID:14264838

  1. The three-dimensional structure of MAP kinase p38[beta]: different features of the ATP-binding site in p38[beta] compared with p38[alpha

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Patel, Sangita B.; Cameron, Patricia M.; O'Keefe, Stephen J.

    2010-10-18

    The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases are activated in response to environmental stress and cytokines and play a significant role in transcriptional regulation and inflammatory responses. Of the four p38 isoforms known to date, two (p38{alpha} and p38{beta}) have been identified as targets for cytokine-suppressive anti-inflammatory drugs. Recently, it was reported that specific inhibition of the p38{alpha} isoform is necessary and sufficient for anti-inflammatory efficacy in vivo, while further inhibition of p38{beta} may not provide any additional benefit. In order to aid the development of p38{alpha}-selective compounds, the three-dimensional structure of p38{beta} was determined. To do so, the C162S and C119S,C162Smore » mutants of human MAP kinase p38{beta} were cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Initial screening hits in crystallization trials in the presence of an inhibitor led upon optimization to crystals that diffracted to 2.05 {angstrom} resolution and allowed structure determination (PDB codes 3gc8 and 3gc9 for the single and double mutant, respectively). The structure of the p38{alpha} C162S mutant in complex with the same inhibitor is also reported (PDB code 3gc7). A comparison between the structures of the two kinases showed that they are highly similar overall but that there are differences in the relative orientation of the N- and C-terminal domains that causes a reduction in the size of the ATP-binding pocket in p38{beta}. This difference in size between the two pockets could be exploited in order to achieve selectivity.« less

  2. Double Alfvén waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Webb, G. M.; Hu, Q.; Dasgupta, B.; Zank, G. P.

    2012-02-01

    Double Alfvén wave solutions of the magnetohydrodynamic equations in which the physical variables (the gas density ρ, fluid velocity u, gas pressure p, and magnetic field induction B) depend only on two independent wave phases ϕ1(x,t) and ϕ2(x,t) are obtained. The integrals for the double Alfvén wave are the same as for simple waves, namely, the gas pressure, magnetic pressure, and group velocity of the wave are constant. Compatibility conditions on the evolution of the magnetic field B due to changes in ϕ1 and ϕ2, as well as constraints due to Gauss's law ∇ · B = 0 are discussed. The magnetic field lines and hodographs of B in which the tip of the magnetic field B moves on the sphere |B| = B = const. are used to delineate the physical characteristics of the wave. Hamilton's equations for the simple Alfvén wave with wave normal n(ϕ), and with magnetic induction B(ϕ) in which ϕ is the wave phase, are obtained by using the Frenet-Serret equations for curves x=X(ϕ) in differential geometry. The use of differential geometry of 2D surfaces in a 3D Euclidean space to describe double Alfvén waves is briefly discussed.

  3. LRP4 third β-propeller domain mutations cause novel congenital myasthenia by compromising agrin-mediated MuSK signaling in a position-specific manner

    PubMed Central

    Ohkawara, Bisei; Cabrera-Serrano, Macarena; Nakata, Tomohiko; Milone, Margherita; Asai, Nobuyuki; Ito, Kenyu; Ito, Mikako; Masuda, Akio; Ito, Yasutomo; Engel, Andrew G.; Ohno, Kinji

    2014-01-01

    Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are heterogeneous disorders in which the safety margin of neuromuscular transmission is compromised by one or more specific mechanisms. Using Sanger and exome sequencing in a CMS patient, we identified two heteroallelic mutations, p.Glu1233Lys and p.Arg1277His, in LRP4 coding for the postsynaptic low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4. LRP4, expressed on the surface of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction, is a receptor for neurally secreted agrin, and LRP4 bound by agrin activates MuSK. Activated MuSK in concert with Dok-7 stimulates rapsyn to concentrate and anchor AChR on the postsynaptic membrane and interacts with other proteins implicated in the assembly and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. LRP4 also functions as an inhibitor of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. The identified mutations in LRP4 are located at the edge of its 3rd beta-propeller domain and decrease binding affinity of LRP4 for both MuSK and agrin. Mutations in the LRP4 3rd beta-propeller domain were previously reported to impair Wnt signaling and cause bone diseases including Cenani–Lenz syndactyly syndrome and sclerosteosis-2. By analyzing naturally occurring and artificially introduced mutations in the LRP4 3rd beta-propeller domain, we show that the edge of the domain regulates the MuSK signaling whereas its central cavity governs Wnt signaling. We conclude that LRP4 is a new CMS disease gene and that the 3rd beta propeller domain of LRP4 mediates the two signaling pathways in a position-specific manner. PMID:24234652

  4. Stable isotopes of nitrate reflect natural attenuation of propellant residues on military training ranges.

    PubMed

    Bordeleau, Geneviève; Savard, Martine M; Martel, Richard; Smirnoff, Anna; Ampleman, Guy; Thiboutot, Sonia

    2013-08-06

    Nitroglycerin (NG) and nitrocellulose (NC) are constituents of double-base propellants used notably for firing antitank ammunitions. Nitroglycerin was detected in soil and water samples from the unsaturated zone (pore water) at an active antitank firing position, where the presence of high nitrate (NO3(-)) concentrations suggests that natural attenuation of NG is occurring. However, concentrations alone cannot assess if NG is the source of NO3(-), nor can they determine which degradation processes are involved. To address this issue, isotopic ratios (δ(15)N, δ(18)O) were measured for NO3(-) produced from NG and NC through various controlled degradation processes and compared with ratios measured in field pore water samples. Results indicate that propellant combustion and degradation mediated by soil organic carbon produced the observed NO3(-) in pore water at this site. Moreover, isotopic results are presented for NO3(-) produced through photolysis of propellant constituents, which could be a dominant process at other sites. The isotopic data presented here constitute novel information regarding a source of NO3(-) that was practically not documented before and a basis to study the contamination by energetic materials in different contexts.

  5. Tests on thirteen navy type model propellers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Durand, W F

    1927-01-01

    The tests on these model propellers were undertaken for the purpose of determining the performance coefficients and characteristics for certain selected series of propellers of form and type as commonly used in recent navy designs. The first series includes seven propellers of pitch ratio varying by 0.10 to 1.10, the area, form of blade, thickness, etc., representing an arbitrary standard propeller which had shown good results. The second series covers changes in thickness of blade section, other things equal, and the third series, changes in blade area, other things equal. These models are all of 36-inch diameter. Propellers A to G form the series on pitch ratio, C, N. I. J the series on thickness of section, and K, M, C, L the series on area. (author)

  6. Handbook on Hypergolic Propellant Discharges and Disposal

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bowman, T. E.; Sivik, H. E.; Thomas, J. J.

    1977-01-01

    The efficiency of all treatment methods formerly or currently used in treating chemical wastes is assessed with emphasis on the disposal of hypergolic propellants. Maximum focus is on the space shuttle propellants MMH and N2O4. Except for hydrogen peroxide oxidizers, all the propellants are nitrogen based and can be potentially reduced to valuable plant nutrients. In theory, all the propellants can be reduced to carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, except of fuming nitric acid which contains a small amount of fluorine. Appendices cover: (1) a general design criteria for disposal ponds; (2) thermal aspects of reaction in dilute solution; (3) gas bubble growth, detachment, and rise (4) absorption scrubber fundamentals and descriptions; (5) separation of a propellant vapor from a helium stream by permeation; and (6) atmospheric emission limits.

  7. Masses of {sup 130}Te and {sup 130}Xe and Double-{beta}-Decay Q Value of {sup 130}Te

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Redshaw, Matthew; Mount, Brianna J.; Myers, Edmund G.

    The atomic masses of {sup 130}Te and {sup 130}Xe have been obtained by measuring cyclotron frequency ratios of pairs of triply charged ions simultaneously trapped in a Penning trap. The results, with 1 standard deviation uncertainty, are M({sup 130}Te)=129.906 222 744(16) u and M({sup 130}Xe)=129.903 509 351(15) u. From the mass difference the double-{beta}-decay Q value of {sup 130}Te is determined to be Q{sub {beta}}{sub {beta}}({sup 130}Te)=2527.518(13) keV. This is a factor of 150 more precise than the result of the AME2003 [G. Audi et al., Nucl. Phys. A729, 337 (2003)].

  8. Sensitivity of NEXT-100 to neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martín-Albo, J.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Ferrario, P.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Gómez-Cadenas, J. J.; Álvarez, V.; Azevedo, C. D. R.; Borges, F. I. G.; Cárcel, S.; Carrión, J. V.; Cebrián, S.; Cervera, A.; Conde, C. A. N.; Díaz, J.; Diesburg, M.; Esteve, R.; Fernandes, L. M. P.; Ferreira, A. L.; Freitas, E. D. C.; Goldschmidt, A.; González-Díaz, D.; Gutiérrez, R. M.; Hauptman, J.; Henriques, C. A. O.; Hernando Morata, J. A.; Herrero, V.; Labarga, L.; Laing, A.; Lebrun, P.; Liubarsky, I.; López-March, N.; Lorca, D.; Losada, M.; Martínez-Lema, G.; Martínez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Monteiro, C. M. B.; Mora, F. J.; Moutinho, L. M.; Novella, P.; Nygren, D.; Palmeiro, B.; Para, A.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Ripoll, L.; Rodríguez, J.; Santos, F. P.; dos Santos, J. M. F.; Serra, L.; Shuman, D.; Simón, A.; Sofka, C.; Sorel, M.; Stiegler, T.; Toledo, J. F.; Torrent, J.; Tsamalaidze, Z.; Veloso, J. F. C. A.; Webb, R.; White, J. T.; Yahlali, N.; Yepes-Ramírez, H.

    2016-05-01

    NEXT-100 is an electroluminescent high-pressure xenon gas time projection chamber that will search for the neutrinoless double beta (0 νββ) decay of 136Xe. The detector possesses two features of great value for 0 νββ searches: energy resolution better than 1% FWHM at the Q value of 136Xe and track reconstruction for the discrimination of signal and background events. This combination results in excellent sensitivity, as discussed in this paper. Material-screening measurements and a detailed Monte Carlo detector simulation predict a background rate for NEXT-100 of at most 4 × 10-4 counts keV-1 kg-1 yr-1. Accordingly, the detector will reach a sensitivity to the 0 νββ-decay half-life of 2.8 × 1025 years (90% CL) for an exposure of 100 kg·year, or 6.0 × 1025 years after a run of 3 effective years. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  9. Sensitivity of NEXT-100 to neutrinoless double beta decay

    DOE PAGES

    Martín-Albo, J.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Ferrario, P.; ...

    2016-05-26

    NEXT-100 is an electroluminescent high-pressure xenon gas time projection chamber that will search for the neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay ofmore » $$^{136}$$Xe. The detector possesses two features of great value for 0νββ searches: energy resolution better than 1% FWHM at the Q value of $$^{136}$$Xe and track reconstruction for the discrimination of signal and background events. This combination results in excellent sensitivity, as discussed in this paper. Material-screening measurements and a detailed Monte Carlo detector simulation predict a background rate for NEXT-100 of at most 4 × 10$$^{–4}$$ counts keV$$^{–1}$$ kg$$^{–1}$$ yr$$^{–1}$$. Furthermore, the detector will reach a sensitivity to the 0νββ-decay half-life of 2.8 × 10$$^{25}$$ years (90% CL) for an exposure of 100 kg·year, or 6.0 × 10$$^{25}$$ years after a run of 3 effective years.« less

  10. The Majorana Demonstrator: Progress towards showing the feasibility of a 76Ge neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Finnerty, P.; Aguayo, Estanislao; Amman, M.

    2014-03-24

    The Majorana Demonstrator will search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay (0*) of the 76Ge isotope with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. The observation of this rare decay would indicate the neutrino is its own anti-particle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass-scale of the neutrino. The Demonstrator is being assembled at the 4850 foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. The array will be contained in a lowbackground environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. The goals for the Demonstrator are: demonstrating amore » background rate less than 3 counts tonne -1 year-1 in the 4 keV region of interest (ROI) surrounding the 2039 keV 76Ge endpoint energy; establishing the technology required to build a tonne-scale germanium based double-beta decay experiment; testing the recent claim of observation of 0; and performing a direct search for lightWIMPs (3-10 GeV/c2).« less

  11. Pro-opiomelanocortin messenger ribonucleic acid and posttranslational processing of beta endorphin in spleen macrophages.

    PubMed Central

    Lolait, S J; Clements, J A; Markwick, A J; Cheng, C; McNally, M; Smith, A I; Funder, J W

    1986-01-01

    We have previously demonstrated low levels of immunoreactive (ir)-beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and ir-ACTH in a subpopulation of mouse spleen macrophages, which is consistent with an involvement of opioid peptides in modulation of immune responses. Gel chromatography studies suggested the presence of an approximately 3.5,000-molecular weight (mol wt) species, putatively beta-EP, an approximately 11.5,000-mol-wt species, putatively beta-lipotropin, and a higher molecular weight species (putative beta-EP precursor, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). In this study we have extended our original findings by demonstrating the presence of messenger RNA for POMC by the use of a complementary DNA probe and Northern blot analysis of extracts of mouse and rat spleen. In addition, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we have shown that the major endorphin species in mouse spleen macrophages is beta-EP1-31, and that there are smaller amounts of each of the acetylated forms, N-acetyl-beta-EP1-16 (alpha-endorphin), N-acetyl-beta-EP1-17 (gamma-endorphin), N-acetyl-beta-EP1-27, and N-acetyl-beta-EP1-31. We interpret these studies as showing that (a) the spleen is an organ of POMC synthesis and that (b) the predominant COOH-terminal product of macrophage POMC is the opiate-receptor active species beta-EP1-31. Images PMID:2423557

  12. 78 FR 9005 - Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Propellers

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-07

    ... the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For..., Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New... Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England...

  13. Variable Pitch Propellers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1920-01-01

    In this report are described four different types of propellers which appeared at widely separated dates, but which were exhibited together at the last Salon de l'Aeronautique. The four propellers are the Chaviere variable pitch propeller, the variable pitch propeller used on the Clement Bayard dirigible, the variable pitch propeller used on Italian dirigibles, and the Levasseur variable pitch propeller.

  14. 78 FR 41283 - Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Propellers

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-10

    ... service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington... Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England... Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England...

  15. Simultaneous analysis of neutrinoless double beta decay and LHC pp-cross sections: limits on the left-right mixing angle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Civitarese, O.; Suhonen, J.; Zuber, K.

    2015-09-01

    The extension of the Standard Model of electroweak interactions, to accommodate massive neutrinos and/or right-handed currents, is one of the fundamental questions to answer in the cross-field of particle and nuclear physics. The consequences of such extensions would reflect upon nuclear decays, like the very exotic nuclear double-beta-decay, as well as upon high-energy proton-proton reactions of the type performed at the LHC accelerator. In this talk we shall address this question by looking at the results reported by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations, where the excitation and decay of a heavy-mass boson may be mediated by a heavy-mass neutrino in proton-proton reactions leading to two jets and two leptons, and by extracting limits on the left-right mixing, from the latest measurements of nuclear-double-beta decays reported by the GERDA and EXO collaborations.

  16. Structural and pharmacological characteristics of chimeric peptides derived from peptide E and beta-endorphin reveal the crucial role of the C-terminal YGGFL and YKKGE motifs in their analgesic properties.

    PubMed

    Condamine, Eric; Courchay, Karine; Rego, Jean-Claude Do; Leprince, Jérôme; Mayer, Catherine; Davoust, Daniel; Costentin, Jean; Vaudry, Hubert

    2010-05-01

    Peptide E (a 25-amino acid peptide derived from proenkephalin A) and beta-endorphin (a 31-amino acid peptide derived from proopiomelanocortin) bind with high affinity to opioid receptors and share structural similarities but induce analgesic effects of very different intensity. Indeed, whereas they possess the same N-terminus Met-enkephalin message sequence linked to a helix by a flexible spacer and a C-terminal part in random coil conformation, in contrast with peptide E, beta-endorphin produces a profound analgesia. To determine the key structural elements explaining this very divergent opioid activity, we have compared the structural and pharmacological characteristics of several chimeric peptides derived from peptide E and beta-endorphin. Structures were obtained under the same experimental conditions using circular dichroism, computational estimation of helical content and/or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and NMR-restrained molecular modeling. The hot-plate and writhing tests were used in mice to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of the peptides. Our results indicate that neither the length nor the physicochemical profile of the spacer plays a fundamental role in analgesia. On the other hand, while the functional importance of the helix cannot be excluded, the last 5 residues in the C-terminal part seem to be crucial for the expression or absence of the analgesic activity of these peptides. These data raise the question of the true function of peptides E in opioidergic systems. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. N-terminal acetylation modulates Bax targeting to mitochondria.

    PubMed

    Alves, Sara; Neiri, Leire; Chaves, Susana Rodrigues; Vieira, Selma; Trindade, Dário; Manon, Stephen; Dominguez, Veronica; Pintado, Belen; Jonckheere, Veronique; Van Damme, Petra; Silva, Rui Duarte; Aldabe, Rafael; Côrte-Real, Manuela

    2018-02-01

    The pro-apoptotic Bax protein is the main effector of mitochondrial permeabilization during apoptosis. Bax is controlled at several levels, including post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and S-palmitoylation. However, little is known about the contribution of other protein modifications to Bax activity. Here, we used heterologous expression of human Bax in yeast to study the involvement of N-terminal acetylation by yNaa20p (yNatB) on Bax function. We found that human Bax is N-terminal (Nt-)acetylated by yNaa20p and that Nt-acetylation of Bax is essential to maintain Bax in an inactive conformation in the cytosol of yeast and Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (MEF) cells. Bax accumulates in the mitochondria of yeast naa20Δ and Naa25 -/- MEF cells, but does not promote cytochrome c release, suggesting that an additional step is required for full activation of Bax. Altogether, our results show that Bax N-terminal acetylation by NatB is involved in its mitochondrial targeting. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Survey - Monomethylhydrazine Propellant/Material Compatibility

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-07-01

    MMH, UDMH . Crack growth susceptibility is related to contamination levels of water and carbon dioxide. VII. CONCLUSIONS Based upon the findings of the...per liter Density , grams per 0.870 to 9.874 milliliter at 25’C (770F) Table 2. Monomethylhydrazine Propellant Survey Requirements Constituent, Property...0 en ~ 14 Table 6. Summiary of Properties of 6 Monome-thylhydra7ine Propellant6 Chemical name: methyihydrazine Chemical formula : CH 3N2H 3 Formula

  19. A Fast and Effective Pyridine-Free Method for the Determination of Hydroxyl Value of Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene and Other Hydroxy Compounds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alex, Ancy Smitha; Kumar, Vijendra; Sekkar, V.; Bandyopadhyay, G. G.

    2017-07-01

    Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) is the workhorse propellant binder for launch vehicle and missile applications. Accurate determination of the hydroxyl value (OHV) of HTPB is crucial for tailoring the ultimate mechanical and ballistic properties of the propellant derived. This article describes a fast and effective methodology free of pyridine based on acetic anhydride, N-methyl imidazole, and toluene for the determination of OHV of nonpolar polymers like HTPB and other hydroxyl compounds. This method gives accurate and reproducible results comparable to standard methods and is superior to existing methods in terms of user friendliness, efficiency, and time requirement.

  20. Tetraspanin CD151 regulates alpha6beta1 integrin adhesion strengthening

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lammerding, Jan; Kazarov, Alexander R.; Huang, Hayden; Lee, Richard T.; Hemler, Martin E.

    2003-01-01

    The tetraspanin CD151 molecule associates specifically with laminin-binding integrins, including alpha6beta1. To probe strength of alpha6beta1-dependent adhesion to laminin-1, defined forces (0-1.5 nN) were applied to magnetic laminin-coated microbeads bound to NIH 3T3 cells. For NIH 3T3 cells bearing wild-type CD151, adhesion strengthening was observed, as bead detachment became more difficult over time. In contrast, mutant CD151 (with the C-terminal region replaced) showed impaired adhesion strengthening. Static cell adhesion to laminin-1, and detachment of beads coated with fibronectin or anti-alpha6 antibody were all unaffected by CD151 mutation. Hence, CD151 plays a key role in selectively strengthening alpha6beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion to laminin-1.

  1. Results on neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge from GERDA Phase I

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Palioselitis, Dimitrios; GERDA Collaboration

    2015-05-01

    The Germanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment is searching for the neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge by operating bare germanium diodes in liquid argon. GERDA is located at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy. During Phase I, a total exposure of 21.6 kg yrand a background index of 0.01 cts/(keVkg yr) were reached. No signal was observed and a lower limit of T0ν1/2 > 2.1 · 1025 yr(90% C.L.) is derived for the half life of the 0νββ decay of 76Ge.

  2. Bioavailabilty of beta-amino acid and C-terminally derived PK/PBAN analogs

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The ability of linear beta amino-acid-substituted peptides (PK-betaA-1: Ac-YFT[beta3-P]RLa; PK-betaA-2: Ac-Y[beta2-homoF]TPRLa; PK-betaA-3: Ac-Y[beta3-F]TPRLa and PK-betaA-4: Ac-[beta3-F]FT[beta3-P]RLa) and unsubstituted analogs (Ac-YFTPRLa and YFTPRLa) of the pyrokinin(PK)/pheromone biosynthesis-ac...

  3. Joint High Speed Sealift (JHSS) Baseline Shaft & Strut (BSS) Model 5653-3: Series 2, Propeller Disk LDV Wake Survey; and Series 3, Stock Propeller Powering and Stern Flap Evaluation Experiments

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-09-01

    B27 B3b. Open water performance characteristics, stock propellers 5234 and 5235 ................... B28 B4. Principal dimensions of...n~nu~ .. *ASA B27 B3b. Open water performance characteristics, stock propellers 5234 and 5235 5234 5235 FAMED OPEN WATER COEFFICIENTS FOR PROPELLER...LA V 00 H MN 0𔃾 LAW M 00 MN4 0 ( LA M 4. ~ ~ ~ ~ r 4. LALA (0 m N 0 0 H H- H H H Hm H H vN( N( N((((m 4 HmmN N4 L 0 .( N ( ( HW H HLA mL (n(mNHO H

  4. The Gerda search for neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    O'Shaughnessy, Christopher; Gerda Collaboration

    2013-10-01

    The Germanium Detector Array (Gerda) is a search for the neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge. High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors enriched in the isotope-76 are operated bare in liquid argon (LAr). LAr is used for both cooling of the HPGe diodes to their operating temperatures and for shielding from external radiation sources. From the measurements of the first phase that began data taking on 1 Nov. 2011 it is expected to have a sensitivity on the level of T1/2>2E25 yr at a 90% CL after 15 kġyr. The goal of this phase will be to probe the claim of an observation by part of the Heidelberg-Moscow collaboration. Efforts will then focus on increasing the sensitivity of the experiment by deploying additional enriched detectors that are in an advanced stage of production and by reducing the background index further by making use of pulse shape discrimination techniques as well as an active LAr veto. While the 0νββ region of interest continues to remain blinded, here the status of Phase-I data taking is presented along with the work towards improving the experimental sensitivity.

  5. Neutrinoless double beta decay and chiral SU(3)

    DOE PAGES

    Cirigliano, Vincenzo; Dekens, Wouter Gerard; Graesser, Michael Lawrence; ...

    2017-04-14

    TeV-scale lepton number violation can affect neutrinoless double beta decay through dimension-9 ΔL=ΔI=2 operators involving two electrons and four quarks. Since the dominant effects within a nucleus are expected to arise from pion exchange, the π -→π +ee matrix elements of the dimension-9 operators are a key hadronic input. Here in this letter we provide estimates for the π -→π + matrix elements of all Lorentz scalar ΔI=2 four-quark operators relevant to the study of TeV-scale lepton number violation. The analysis is based on chiral SU(3) symmetry, which relates the π -→π + matrix elements of the ΔI=2 operators to themore » $K$ 0→$$\\bar{K}$$ 0 and K→ππ matrix elements of their ΔS=2 and ΔS=1 chiral partners, for which lattice QCD input is available. The inclusion of next-to-leading order chiral loop corrections to all symmetry relations used in the analysis makes our results robust at the 30% level or better, depending on the operator.« less

  6. Structural domains required for channel function of the mouse transient receptor potential protein homologue TRP1beta.

    PubMed

    Engelke, Michael; Friedrich, Olaf; Budde, Petra; Schäfer, Christina; Niemann, Ursula; Zitt, Christof; Jüngling, Eberhard; Rocks, Oliver; Lückhoff, Andreas; Frey, Jürgen

    2002-07-17

    Transient receptor potential proteins (TRP) are supposed to participate in the formation of store-operated Ca(2+) influx channels by co-assembly. However, little is known which domains facilitate the interaction of subunits. Contribution of the N-terminal coiled-coil domain and ankyrin-like repeats and the putative pore region of the mouse TRP1beta (mTRP1beta) variant to the formation of functional cation channels were analyzed following overexpression in HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cells. MTRP1beta expressing cells exhibited enhanced Ca(2+) influx and enhanced whole-cell membrane currents compared to mTRP1beta deletion mutants. Using a yeast two-hybrid assay only the coiled-coil domain facilitated homodimerization of the N-terminus. These results suggest that the N-terminus of mTRP1beta is required for structural organization thus forming functional channels.

  7. Subcooling for Long Duration In-Space Cryogenic Propellant Storage

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mustafi, Shuvo; Johnson, Wesley; Kashani, Ali; Jurns, John; Kutter, Bernard; Kirk, Daniel; Shull, Jeff

    2010-01-01

    Cryogenic propellants such as hydrogen and oxygen are crucial for exploration of the solar system because of their superior specific impulse capability. Future missions may require vehicles to remain in space for months, necessitating long-term storage of these cryogens. A Thermodynamic Cryogen Subcooler (TCS) can ease the challenge of cryogenic fluid storage by removing energy from the cryogenic propellant through isobaric subcooling of the cryogen below its normal boiling point prior to launch. The isobaric subcooling of the cryogenic propellant will be performed by using a cold pressurant to maintain the tank pressure while the cryogen's temperature is simultaneously reduced using the TCS. The TCS hardware will be integrated into the launch infrastructure and there will be no significant addition to the launched dry mass. Heat leaks into all cryogenic propellant tanks, despite the use of the best insulation systems. However, the large heat capacity available in the subcooled cryogenic propellants allows the energy that leaks into the tank to be absorbed until the cryogen reaches its operational thermodynamic condition. During this period of heating of the subcooled cryogen there will be minimal loss of the propellant due to venting for pressure control. This simple technique can extend the operational life of a spacecraft or an orbital cryogenic depot for months with minimal mass penalty. In fact isobaric subcooling can more than double the in-space hold time of liquid hydrogen compared to normal boiling point hydrogen. A TCS for cryogenic propellants would thus provide an enhanced level of mission flexibility. Advances in the important components of the TCS will be discussed in this paper.

  8. The N-terminal strand modulates immunoglobulin light chain fibrillogenesis.

    PubMed

    del Pozo-Yauner, Luis; Wall, Jonathan S; González Andrade, Martín; Sánchez-López, Rosana; Rodríguez-Ambriz, Sandra L; Pérez Carreón, Julio I; Ochoa-Leyva, Adrián; Fernández-Velasco, D Alejandro

    2014-01-10

    It has been suggested that the N-terminal strand of the light chain variable domain (V(L)) protects the molecule from aggregation by hindering spurious intermolecular contacts. We evaluated the impact of mutations in the N-terminal strand on the thermodynamic stability and kinetic of fibrillogenesis of the V(L) protein 6aJL2. Mutations in this strand destabilized the protein in a position-dependent manner, accelerating the fibrillogenesis by shortening the lag time; an effect that correlated with the extent of destabilization. In contrast, the effect on the kinetics of fibril elongation, as assessed in seeding experiments was of different nature, as it was not directly dependant on the degree of destabilization. This finding suggests different factors drive the nucleation-dependent and elongation phases of light chain fibrillogenesis. Finally, taking advantage of the dependence of the Trp fluorescence upon environment, four single Trp substitutions were made in the N-terminal strand, and changes in solvent exposure during aggregation were evaluated by acrylamide-quenching. The results suggest that the N-terminal strand is buried in the fibrillar state of 6aJL2 protein. This finding suggest a possible explanation for the modulating effect exerted by the mutations in this strand on the aggregation behavior of 6aJL2 protein. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Towards Alzheimer's beta-amyloid vaccination.

    PubMed

    Frenkel, D; Solomon, B

    2001-01-01

    Beta-amyloid pathology, the main hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been linked to its conformational status and aggregation. We recently showed that site-directed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) towards the N-terminal region of the human beta-amyloid peptide bind to preformed beta-amyloid fibrils (Abeta), leading to disaggregation and inhibition of their neurotoxic effect. Here we report the development of a novel immunization procedure to raise effective anti-aggregating amyloid beta-protein (AbetaP) antibodies, using as antigen filamentous phages displaying the only EFRH peptide found to be the epitope of these antibodies. Due to the high antigenicity of the phage no adjuvant is required to obtain high affinity anti-aggregating IgG antibodies in animals model, that exhibit identity to human AbetaP. Such antibodies are able to sequester peripheral AbetaP, thus avoiding passage through the blood brain barrier (BBB) and, as recently shown in a transgenic mouse model, to cross the BBB and dissolve already formed beta-amyloid plaques. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to use as a vaccine a self-anti-aggregating epitope displayed on a phage, and this may pave the way to treat abnormal accumulation-peptide diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or other amyloidogenic diseases. Copyright 2001 The International Association for Biologicals.

  10. Structural vibration and acoustic radiation of coupled propeller-shafting and submarine hull system due to propeller forces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qu, Yegao; Su, Jinpeng; Hua, Hongxing; Meng, Guang

    2017-08-01

    This paper investigates the structural and acoustic responses of a coupled propeller-shafting and submarine pressure hull system under different propeller force excitations. The entire system, which consists of a rigid propeller, a main shaft, two bearings and an orthogonally stiffened pressure hull, is submerged in a heavy fluid. The shaft is elastically connected to the pressure hull by a radial bearing and a thrust bearing. The theoretical model of the structural system is formulated based on a modified variational method, in which the propeller, the main shaft and the bearings are treated as a lumped mass, an elastic beam and spatially distributed spring-damper systems, respectively. The rings and stringers in the pressure hull are modeled as discrete structural elements. The acoustic field generated by the hull is calculated using a spectral Kirchhoff-Helmholtz integral formulation. A strongly coupled structure-acoustic interaction analysis is employed to achieve reasonable solutions for the coupled system. The displacement of the pressure hull and the sound pressure of the fluid are expanded in the form of a double mixed series using Fourier series and Chebyshev orthogonal polynomials, providing a flexible way for the present method to account for the individual contributions of circumferential wave modes to the vibration and acoustic responses of the pressure hull in an analytical manner. The contributions of different circumferential wave modes of the pressure hull to the structural and acoustic responses of the coupled system under axial, transversal and vertical propeller forces are investigated. Computed results are compared with those solutions obtained from the coupled finite element/boundary element method. Effects of the ring and the bearing stiffness on the acoustic responses of the coupled system are discussed.

  11. A research on polyether glycol replaced APCP rocket propellant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lou, Tianyou; Bao, Chun Jia; Wang, Yiyang

    2017-08-01

    Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP) is a modern solid rocket propellant used in rocket vehicles. It differs from many traditional solid rocket propellants by the nature of how it is processed. APCP is cast into shape, as opposed to powder pressing it with black powder. This provides manufacturing regularity and repeatability, which are necessary requirements for use in the aerospace industry. For traditional APCP, ingredients normally used are ammonium peroxide, aluminum, Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB), curing agency and other additives, the greatest disadvantage is that the fuel is too expensive. According to the price we collected in our country, a single kilogram of this fuel will cost 200 Yuan, which is about 35 dollars, for a fan who may use tons of the fuel in a single year, it definitely is a great deal of money. For this reason, we invented a new kind of APCP fuel. Changing adhesive agency from cross-linked htpb to cross linked polyether glycol gives a similar specific thrust, density and mechanical property while costs a lower price.

  12. The complete nucleotide sequence of RNA beta from the type strain of barley stripe mosaic virus.

    PubMed Central

    Gustafson, G; Armour, S L

    1986-01-01

    The complete nucleotide sequence of RNA beta from the type strain of barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) has been determined. The sequence is 3289 nucleotides in length and contains four open reading frames (ORFs) which code for proteins of Mr 22,147 (ORF1), Mr 58,098 (ORF2), Mr 17,378 (ORF3), and Mr 14,119 (ORF4). The predicted N-terminal amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the ORF nearest the 5'-end of the RNA (ORF1) is identical (after the initiator methionine) to the published N-terminal amino acid sequence of BSMV coat protein for 29 of the first 30 amino acids. ORF2 occupies the central portion of the coding region of RNA beta and ORF3 is located at the 3'-end. The ORF4 sequence overlaps the 3'-region of ORF2 and the 5'-region of ORF3 and differs in codon usage from the other three RNA beta ORFs. The coding region of RNA beta is followed by a poly(A) tract and a 238 nucleotide tRNA-like structure which are common to all three BSMV genomic RNAs. Images PMID:3754962

  13. NMR assignments of the N-terminal domain of Nephila clavipes spidroin 1

    PubMed Central

    Parnham, Stuart; Gaines, William A.; Duggan, Brendan M.; Marcotte, William R.

    2011-01-01

    The building blocks of spider dragline silk are two fibrous proteins secreted from the major ampullate gland named spidroins 1 and 2 (MaSp1, MaSp2). These proteins consist of a large central domain composed of approximately 100 tandem copies of a 35–40 amino acid repeat sequence. Non-repetitive N and C-terminal domains, of which the C-terminal domain has been implicated to transition from soluble and insoluble states during spinning, flank the repetitive core. The N-terminal domain until recently has been largely unknown due to difficulties in cloning and expression. Here, we report nearly complete assignment for all 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances in the 14 kDa N-terminal domain of major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp1-N) of the golden orb-web spider Nephila clavipes. PMID:21152998

  14. Effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on endurance performance and body composition in men; a double-blind trial.

    PubMed

    Smith, Abbie E; Walter, Ashley A; Graef, Jennifer L; Kendall, Kristina L; Moon, Jordan R; Lockwood, Christopher M; Fukuda, David H; Beck, Travis W; Cramer, Joel T; Stout, Jeffrey R

    2009-02-11

    Intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise result in diminished stores of energy substrates, followed by an accumulation of metabolites, promoting chronic physiological adaptations. In addition, beta-alanine has been accepted has an effective physiological hydrogen ion (H+) buffer. Concurrent high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and beta-alanine supplementation may result in greater adaptations than HIIT alone. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of combining beta-alanine supplementation with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on endurance performance and aerobic metabolism in recreationally active college-aged men. Forty-six men (Age: 22.2 +/- 2.7 yrs; Ht: 178.1 +/- 7.4 cm; Wt: 78.7 +/- 11.9; VO2peak: 3.3 +/- 0.59 l.min-1) were assessed for peak O2 utilization (VO2peak), time to fatigue (VO2TTE), ventilatory threshold (VT), and total work done at 110% of pre-training VO2peak (TWD). In a double-blind fashion, all subjects were randomly assigned into one either a placebo (PL - 16.5 g dextrose powder per packet; n = 18) or beta-alanine (BA - 1.5 g beta-alanine plus 15 g dextrose powder per packet; n = 18) group. All subjects supplemented four times per day (total of 6 g/day) for the first 21-days, followed by two times per day (3 g/day) for the subsequent 21 days, and engaged in a total of six weeks of HIIT training consisting of 5-6 bouts of a 2:1 minute cycling work to rest ratio. Significant improvements in VO2peak, VO2TTE, and TWD after three weeks of training were displayed (p < 0.05). Increases in VO2peak, VO2TTE, TWD and lean body mass were only significant for the BA group after the second three weeks of training. The use of HIIT to induce significant aerobic improvements is effective and efficient. Chronic BA supplementation may further enhance HIIT, improving endurance performance and lean body mass.

  15. Double Beta Decay - Physics Beyond the Standard Model Now, and in Future (GENIUS)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klapdor-Kleingrothaus, H. V.

    Nuclear double beta decay provides an extraordinarily broad potential to search for beyond Standard Model physics, probing already now the TeV scale, on which new physics should manifest itself. These possibilities are reviewed here. First, the results of present generation experiments are presented. The most sensitive one of them - the Heidelberg-Moscow experiment in the Gran Sasso - probes the electron mass now in the sub eV region and will reach a limit of ˜ 0.1 eV in a few years. Basing to a large extent on the theoretical work of the Heidelberg Double Beta Group in the last two years, results are obtained also for SUSY models (R-parity breaking, sneutrino mass), leptoquarks (leptoquark-Higgs coupling), com-positeness, right-handed W boson mass and others. These results are comfortably competitive to corresponding results from high-energy accelerators like TEVA-TRON, HERA, etc. Second, future perspectives of ʲʲ research are discussed. A new Heidelberg experimental proposal (GENIUS) is presented which would allow to increase the sensitivity for Majorana neutrino masses from the present level of at best 0.1 eV down to 0.01 or even 0.001 eV. Its physical potential would be a breakthrough into the multi-TeV range for many beyond standard models. Its sensitivity for neutrino oscillation parameters would be larger than of all present terrestrial neutrino oscillation experiments and of those planned for the future. It would further, already in a first step, cover almost the full MSSM parameter space for prediction of neutralinos as cold dark matter, making the experiment competitive to LHC in the search for supersymmetry.

  16. The EspF N-Terminal of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL933w Imparts Stronger Toxicity Effects on HT-29 Cells than the C-Terminal

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xiangyu; Du, Yanli; Hua, Ying; Fu, Muqing; Niu, Cong; Zhang, Bao; Zhao, Wei; Zhang, Qiwei; Wan, Chengsong

    2017-01-01

    Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 EspF is an important multifunctional protein that destroys the tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells and promotes host cell apoptosis. However, its molecular mechanism remains elusive. We knocked out the espF sequence (747 bp, ΔespF), N-terminal sequence (219 bp, ΔespFN), and C-terminal sequence (528 bp, ΔespFC) separately using the pKD46-mediated λ Red homologous recombination system. Then, we built the corresponding complementation strains, namely, ΔespF/pespF, ΔespFN/pespFN, and ΔespFC/pespFC by overlap PCR, which were used in infecting HT-29 cells and BALB/C mice. The level of reactive oxygen species, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, inflammatory factors, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), and animal mortality were evaluated by DCFH-DA, double staining of Annexin V-FITC/PI, JC-1 staining, ELISA kit, and a mouse assay. The wild-type (WT), ΔespF, ΔespF/pespF, ΔespFC, ΔespFC/pespFC, ΔespFN, and ΔespFN/pespFN groups exhibited apoptotic rates of 68.3, 27.9, 64.9, 65.7, 73.4, 41.3, and 35.3% respectively, and mean TNF-α expression levels of 428 pg/mL, 342, 466, 446, 381, 383, and 374 pg/mL, respectively. In addition, the apoptotic rates and TNF-α levels of the WT, ΔespF/pespF, and ΔespFC were significantly higher than that of ΔespF, ΔespFN, ΔespFC/pespFC, and ΔespFN/pespFN group (p < 0.05). The N-terminal of EspF resulted in an increase in the number of apoptotic cells, TNF-α secretion, ROS generation, mitochondria apoptosis, and pathogenicity in BalB/c mice. In conclusion, the N-terminal domain of the Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 EspF more strongly promotes apoptosis and inflammation than the C-terminal domain. PMID:28983470

  17. Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the conformation and dynamics of beta-casein at the oil/water interface in emulsions.

    PubMed Central

    ter Beek, L C; Ketelaars, M; McCain, D C; Smulders, P E; Walstra, P; Hemminga, M A

    1996-01-01

    A (13)C and (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study has been carried out on beta-casein adsorbed at the interface of a tetradecane/water emulsion. (13)C NMR spectra show signals from the carbonyl, carboxyl, aromatic, and C alpha carbons in beta-casein, well resolved from solvent resonances. Only a small fraction of all carbon atoms in beta-casein contribute to detectable signals; intensity measurements show that the observable spectrum is derived from about 30 to 40 amino acid residues.(31)P NMR spectra show signals from the five phosphoserines on the hydrophilic N-terminal part of the protein. Analysis of T(1) relaxation times of these nuclei, using the model free approach for the spectral density function and the line shape of the alpha-carbon region, indicates that a large part of the protein is in a random coil conformation with restricted motion and a relatively long internal correlation time. The NMR results show that the conformation and dynamics of the N-terminal part of beta-casein are not strongly altered at the oil/water interface, as compared to beta-casein in micelle-like aggregates in aqueous solution. PMID:9172765

  18. Modeling the Alzheimer Abeta17-42 fibril architecture: tight intermolecular sheet-sheet association and intramolecular hydrated cavities.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Jie; Jang, Hyunbum; Ma, Buyong; Tsai, Chung-Jun; Nussinov, Ruth

    2007-11-01

    We investigate Abeta(17-42) protofibril structures in solution using molecular dynamics simulations. Recently, NMR and computations modeled the Abeta protofibril as a longitudinal stack of U-shaped molecules, creating an in-parallel beta-sheet and loop spine. Here we study the molecular architecture of the fibril formed by spine-spine association. We model in-register intermolecular beta-sheet-beta-sheet associations and study the consequences of Alzheimer's mutations (E22G, E22Q, E22K, and M35A) on the organization. We assess the structural stability and association force of Abeta oligomers with different sheet-sheet interfaces. Double-layered oligomers associating through the C-terminal-C-terminal interface are energetically more favorable than those with the N-terminal-N-terminal interface, although both interfaces exhibit high structural stability. The C-terminal-C-terminal interface is essentially stabilized by hydrophobic and van der Waals (shape complementarity via M35-M35 contacts) intermolecular interactions, whereas the N-terminal-N-terminal interface is stabilized by hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Hence, shape complementarity, or the "steric zipper" motif plays an important role in amyloid formation. On the other hand, the intramolecular Abeta beta-strand-loop-beta-strand U-shaped motif creates a hydrophobic cavity with a diameter of 6-7 A, allowing water molecules and ions to conduct through. The hydrated hydrophobic cavities may allow optimization of the sheet association and constitute a typical feature of fibrils, in addition to the tight sheet-sheet association. Thus, we propose that Abeta fiber architecture consists of alternating layers of tight packing and hydrated cavities running along the fibrillar axis, which might be possibly detected by high-resolution imaging.

  19. Propeller Study. Part 2: the Design of Propellers for Minimum Noise

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ormsbee, A. I.; Woan, C. J.

    1977-01-01

    The design of propellers which are efficient and yet produce minimum noise requires accurate determinations of both the flow over the propeller. Topics discussed in relating aerodynamic propeller design and propeller acoustics include the necessary approximations and assumptions involved, the coordinate systems and their transformations, the geometry of the propeller blade, and the problem formulations including the induced velocity, required in the determination of mean lines of blade sections, and the optimization of propeller noise. The numerical formulation for the lifting-line model are given. Some applications and numerical results are included.

  20. The nagA gene of Penicillium chrysogenum encoding beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase.

    PubMed

    Díez, Bruno; Rodríguez-Sáiz, Marta; de la Fuente, Juan Luis; Moreno, Miguel Angel; Barredo, José Luis

    2005-01-15

    We purified the beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum and its N-terminal sequence was determined, showing the presence of a mixture of two proteins (P1 and P2). A genomic DNA fragment was cloned by using degenerated oligonucleotides from the Nt sequences. The nucleotide sequence showed the presence of an ORF (nagA gene) lacking introns, with a length of 1791 bp, and coding for a protein of 66.5 kDa showing similarity to acetylglucosaminidases. The NagA deduced protein includes P1 and P2 as incomplete forms of the mature protein, and contains putative features for protein maturation: an 18-amino acid signal peptide, a KEX2 processing site, and four glycosylation motifs. The sequence just after the signal peptide corresponds to P2 and that after the KEX2 site to P1. The nagA transcript has a size of about 2.1 kb and is present until the end of the fermentation process for penicillin production. NagA is one of the most largely represented proteins in P. chrysogenum, increasing along the fermentation process. The suitability of the nagA promoter (PnagA) for gene expression in fungi was demonstrated by expressing the bleomycin resistance gene (ble(R)) from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus in P. chrysogenum.

  1. Packaging and structural phenotype of brome mosaic virus capsid protein with altered N-terminal {beta}-hexamer structure

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wispelaere, Melissanne de; Chaturvedi, Sonali; Wilkens, Stephan

    2011-10-10

    The first 45 amino acid region of brome mosaic virus (BMV) capsid protein (CP) contains RNA binding and structural domains that are implicated in the assembly of infectious virions. One such important structural domain encompassing amino acids {sup 28}QPVIV{sup 32}, highly conserved between BMV and cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), exhibits a {beta}-hexamer structure. In this study we report that alteration of the {beta}-hexamer structure by mutating {sup 28}QPVIV{sup 32} to {sup 28}AAAAA{sup 32} had no effect either on symptom phenotype, local and systemic movement in Chenopodium quinoa and RNA profile of in vivo assembled virions. However, sensitivity to RNasemore » and assembly phenotypes distinguished virions assembled with CP subunits having {beta}-hexamer from those of wild type. A comparison of 3-D models obtained by cryo electron microscopy revealed overall similar structural features for wild type and mutant virions, with small but significant differences near the 3-fold axes of symmetry.« less

  2. Characterizing high-energy-density propellants for space propulsion applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kokan, Timothy

    There exists wide ranging research interest in high-energy-density matter (HEDM) propellants as a potential replacement for existing industry standard fuels for liquid rocket engines. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the U.S. Army Research Lab, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the NASA Glenn Research Center each either recently concluded or currently has ongoing programs in the synthesis and development of these potential new propellants. In order to perform conceptual designs using these new propellants, most conceptual rocket engine powerhead design tools (e.g. NPSS, ROCETS, and REDTOP-2) require several thermophysical properties of a given propellant over a wide range of temperature and pressure. These properties include enthalpy, entropy, density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. Very little thermophysical property data exists for most of these potential new HEDM propellants. Experimental testing of these properties is both expensive and time consuming and is impractical in a conceptual vehicle design environment. A new technique for determining these thermophysical properties of potential new rocket engine propellants is presented. The technique uses a combination of three different computational methods to determine these properties. Quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics are used to model new propellants at a molecular level in order to calculate density, enthalpy, and entropy. Additivity methods are used to calculate the kinematic viscosity and thermal conductivity of new propellants. This new technique is validated via a series of verification experiments of HEDM compounds. Results are provided for two HEDM propellants: quadricyclane and 2-azido-N,N-dimethylethanamine (DMAZ). In each case, the new technique does a better job than the best current computational methods at accurately matching the experimental data of the HEDM compounds of interest. A case study is provided to help quantify the vehicle level impacts of using HEDM

  3. N-Thiolated beta-lactam antibacterials: effects of the N-organothio substituent on anti-MRSA activity.

    PubMed

    Heldreth, Bart; Long, Timothy E; Jang, Seyoung; Reddy, G Suresh Kumar; Turos, Edward; Dickey, Sonja; Lim, Daniel V

    2006-06-01

    A study on the structure-activity profiles of N-thiolated beta-lactams 1 is reported which demonstrates the importance of the N-organothio moiety on antibacterial activity. Our results indicate that elongation of the N-alkylthio residue beyond two carbons, or extensive branching within the organothio substituent, diminishes antibacterial effects. Of the derivatives we examined, the N-sec-butylthio beta-lactam derivative 5g possesses the strongest growth inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Sulfur oxidation state is important, as the N-sulfenyl and N-sulfinyl groups provide for the best antibacterial activity, while lactams bearing the N-sulfonyl or N-sulfonic acid functionalities have much weaker or no anti-MRSA properties. Stereochemistry within the organothio chain does not seem to be a significant factor, although for N-sec-butylthio beta-lactams 15a-d, the 3R,4S-lactams 15c, d are more active than the 3S,4R-stereoisomers 15a, b in agar diffusion experiments. The N-methylthio lactams are the most sensitive to the presence of glutathione, followed by N-ethylthio and N-sec-butylthio lactams, which indicates that bioactivity and perhaps bacterial selectivity of the lactams may be related to the amount of organothiols in the bacterial cell. These results support the empirical model for the mechanism of action of the compounds in which the lactam transverses the bacterial membrane to deliver the organothio moiety to its cellular target.

  4. Nitramine Propellant Erosivity - III.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-12-01

    Commanld c r AFTN. I. Busut t i I US A rmy M i ,, i I (ommiiad W ., Awst in ATTN: R ( IUN1I -YI. R . Mont 1,ol11v rv Red st ollAc enaIAl~~ .iIington .1 .Sant...A-D-A96 878 ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCHRAN4D EVELOPMENTUCOMMAND ABERO--ETC F/G 19/1 NITRAM INE PROPELLANT EROSII TY_ II.( ) DEC 80 R GEENE, B GROLLMAN, A...NIILER A RYE UNCLASSIFIED ARBRL - R -02278 SBIE D-E430 574 N11hEEE~EEn~hh~~E EohEEEohhEE... LEVEL TECHNICAL REPORT ARBRL-TR-02278 NITRAMINE PROPELLANT

  5. On Wind Tunnel Tests and Computations Concerning the Problem of Shrouded Propellers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kruger, W.

    1949-01-01

    Results of measurements on a shrouded propeller are given. The propeller is designed for the high ratio of advance and high thrust loading. The effect of the shape of propeller and shroud upon the aerodynamic coefficients of the propulsion unit can be seen from the results. The highest efficiency measured is 0.71. The measurements permit the conclusion that the maximum efficiency can be essentially improved by shroud profiles of small chord and thickness. The largest static thrust factor of merit measured reaches according to Bendemann, a value of about zeta = 1.1. By the use of a nose split flap the static thrust for thin shroud profiles with small nose radius can be about doubled. In a separate section numerical investigations of the behavior of shrouded propellers for the ideal case and for the case with energy losses are carried out. The calculations are based on the assumption that the slipstream cross section depends solely on the shape of the shroud and not on the propeller loading. The reliability of this hypothesis is confirmed experimentally and by flow photographs for a shroud with small circulation. Calculation and test are also in good agreement concerning efficiency and static thrust factor of merit. The prospects of applicability for shrouded propellers and their essential advantages are discussed.

  6. Search of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with the GERDA Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agostini, M.; Allardt, M.; Bakalyarov, A. M.; Balata, M.; Barabanov, I.; Baudis, L.; Bauer, C.; Becerici-Schmidt, N.; Bellotti, E.; Belogurov, S.; Belyaev, S. T.; Benato, G.; Bettini, A.; Bezrukov, L.; Bode, T.; Borowicz, D.; Brudanin, V.; Brugnera, R.; Budjáš, D.; Caldwell, A.; Cattadori, C.; Chernogorov, A.; D'Andrea, V.; Demidova, E. V.; Domula, A.; Doroshkevich, E.; Egorov, V.; Falkenstein, R.; Fedorova, O.; Freund, K.; Frodyma, N.; Gangapshev, A.; Garfagnini, A.; Gooch, C.; Gotti, C.; Grabmayr, P.; Gurentsov, V.; Gusev, K.; Hampel, W.; Hegai, A.; Heisel, M.; Hemmer, S.; Heusser, G.; Hoffmann, W.; Hult, M.; Inzhechik, L. V.; Ioannucci, L.; Janicksó Csáthy, J.; Jochum, J.; Junker, M.; Kazalov, V.; Kihm, T.; Kirpichnikov, I. V.; Kirsch, A.; Klimenko, A.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Kochetov, O.; Kornoukhov, V. N.; Kuzminov, V. V.; Laubenstein, M.; Lazzaro, A.; Lebedev, V. I.; Lehnert, B.; Liao, H. Y.; Lindner, M.; Lippi, I.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Lubsandorzhiev, B.; Lutter, G.; Macolino, C.; Majorovits, B.; Maneschg, W.; Marissens, G.; Medinaceli, E.; Misiaszek, M.; Moseev, P.; Nemchenok, I.; Nisi, S.; Palioselitis, D.; Panas, K.; Pandola, L.; Pelczar, K.; Pessina, G.; Pullia, A.; Reissfelder, M.; Riboldi, S.; Rumyantseva, N.; Sada, C.; Salathe, M.; Schmitt, C.; Schneider, B.; Schreiner, J.; Schulz, O.; Schwingenheuer, B.; Schönert, S.; Seitz, H.; Selivalenko, O.; Shevchik, E.; Shirchenko, M.; Simgen, H.; Smolnikov, A.; Stanco, L.; Stepaniuk, M.; Strecker, H.; Ur, C. A.; Vanhoefer, L.; Vasenko, A. A.; Veresnikova, A.; von Sturm, K.; Wagner, V.; Walter, M.; Wegmann, A.; Wester, T.; Wiesinger, C.; Wilsenach, H.; Wojcik, M.; Yanovich, E.; Zavarise, P.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhukov, S. V.; Zinatulina, D.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

    2016-04-01

    The GERDA (GERmanium Detector Array) is an experiment for the search of neutrinoless double beta decay (0 νββ) in 76Ge, located at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN (Italy). In the first phase of the experiment, a 90% confidence level (C.L.) sensitivity of 2.4 ṡ1025 yr on the 0 νββ decay half-life was achieved with a 21.6 kgṡyr exposure and an unprecedented background index in the region of interest of 10-2 counts/(keVṡkgṡyr). No excess of signal events was found, and an experimental lower limit on the half-life of 2.1 ṡ 1025 yr (90% C.L.) was established. Correspondingly, the limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass is mee < 0.2- 0.4 eV, depending on the considered nuclear matrix element. The previous claim for evidence of a 0 νββ decay signal is strongly disfavored, and the field of research is open again.

  7. Results on Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay from Gerda Phase I

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Macolino, Carla

    2014-12-01

    The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA, is designed to search for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge and it is installed in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) of INFN, Italy. In this review, the detection principle and detector setup of GERDA are described. Also, the main physics results by GERDA Phase I, are discussed. They include the measurement of the half-life of 2νββ decay, the background decomposition of the energy spectrum and the techniques for the discrimination of the background, based on the pulse shape of the signal. In the last part of this review, the estimation of a limit on the half-life of 0νββ (T0ν 1/2>2.1ḑot 1025 yr at 90% C.L.) and the comparison with previous results are discussed. GERDA data from Phase I strongly disfavor the recent claim of 0νββ discovery, based on data from the Heidelberg-Moscow experiment.

  8. 17{beta}-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 13 is a liver-specific lipid droplet-associated protein

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Horiguchi, Yuka; Araki, Makoto; Motojima, Kiyoto

    2008-05-30

    17{beta}-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17{beta}HSD) type 13 is identified as a new lipid droplet-associated protein. 17{beta}HSD type 13 has an N-terminal sequence similar to that of 17{beta}HSD type 11, and both sequences function as an endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplet-targeting signal. Localization of native 17{beta}HSD type 13 on the lipid droplets was confirmed by subcellular fractionation and Western blotting. In contrast to 17{beta}HSD type 11, however, expression of 17{beta}HSD type 13 is largely restricted to the liver and is not enhanced by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {alpha} and its ligand. Instead the expression level of 17{beta}HSD type 13 in the receptor-null mice wasmore » increased several-fold. 17{beta}HSD type 13 may have a distinct physiological role as a lipid droplet-associated protein in the liver.« less

  9. Long term storage test of titanium material with liquid fluorine propellant

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Denson, J. R.; English, W. D.; Roth, J.; Toy, A.

    1979-01-01

    The compatibility of 6AL-4V Ti with propellant grade GF2 and LF2 at 77 K for up to 3 years was investigated. Titanium double coupons, annealed or heat treated, with 16 or 64 RMS finishes, were immersed in F2 in individual Pyrex capsules and stored under LN2 for 29 and 39 months. Pre and post immersion tests were performed on the propellant and coupons. Chemical analysis of the propellant did not reveal any significant changes due to titanium corrosion. Gravimetric, visual, microscopic, and metallurgical examination with pitting analysis did not reveal gross corrosion of the titanium although pitting appears to be greater after 39 months exposure. The increase in pit size and number raises the possibility of unpredictable crack propagation instability. Fracture toughness tests are necessary to define this possibility.

  10. Quasiparticle random phase approximation uncertainties and their correlations in the analysis of 0{nu}{beta}{beta} decay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Faessler, Amand; Rodin, V.; Fogli, G. L.

    2009-03-01

    The variances and covariances associated to the nuclear matrix elements of neutrinoless double beta decay (0{nu}{beta}{beta}) are estimated within the quasiparticle random phase approximation. It is shown that correlated nuclear matrix elements uncertainties play an important role in the comparison of 0{nu}{beta}{beta} decay rates for different nuclei, and that they are degenerate with the uncertainty in the reconstructed Majorana neutrino mass.

  11. N-terminal Proteomics Assisted Profiling of the Unexplored Translation Initiation Landscape in Arabidopsis thaliana *

    PubMed Central

    Ndah, Elvis; Jonckheere, Veronique

    2017-01-01

    Proteogenomics is an emerging research field yet lacking a uniform method of analysis. Proteogenomic studies in which N-terminal proteomics and ribosome profiling are combined, suggest that a high number of protein start sites are currently missing in genome annotations. We constructed a proteogenomic pipeline specific for the analysis of N-terminal proteomics data, with the aim of discovering novel translational start sites outside annotated protein coding regions. In summary, unidentified MS/MS spectra were matched to a specific N-terminal peptide library encompassing protein N termini encoded in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. After a stringent false discovery rate filtering, 117 protein N termini compliant with N-terminal methionine excision specificity and indicative of translation initiation were found. These include N-terminal protein extensions and translation from transposable elements and pseudogenes. Gene prediction provided supporting protein-coding models for approximately half of the protein N termini. Besides the prediction of functional domains (partially) contained within the newly predicted ORFs, further supporting evidence of translation was found in the recently released Araport11 genome re-annotation of Arabidopsis and computational translations of sequences stored in public repositories. Most interestingly, complementary evidence by ribosome profiling was found for 23 protein N termini. Finally, by analyzing protein N-terminal peptides, an in silico analysis demonstrates the applicability of our N-terminal proteogenomics strategy in revealing protein-coding potential in species with well- and poorly-annotated genomes. PMID:28432195

  12. N-terminal Proteomics Assisted Profiling of the Unexplored Translation Initiation Landscape in Arabidopsis thaliana.

    PubMed

    Willems, Patrick; Ndah, Elvis; Jonckheere, Veronique; Stael, Simon; Sticker, Adriaan; Martens, Lennart; Van Breusegem, Frank; Gevaert, Kris; Van Damme, Petra

    2017-06-01

    Proteogenomics is an emerging research field yet lacking a uniform method of analysis. Proteogenomic studies in which N-terminal proteomics and ribosome profiling are combined, suggest that a high number of protein start sites are currently missing in genome annotations. We constructed a proteogenomic pipeline specific for the analysis of N-terminal proteomics data, with the aim of discovering novel translational start sites outside annotated protein coding regions. In summary, unidentified MS/MS spectra were matched to a specific N-terminal peptide library encompassing protein N termini encoded in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. After a stringent false discovery rate filtering, 117 protein N termini compliant with N-terminal methionine excision specificity and indicative of translation initiation were found. These include N-terminal protein extensions and translation from transposable elements and pseudogenes. Gene prediction provided supporting protein-coding models for approximately half of the protein N termini. Besides the prediction of functional domains (partially) contained within the newly predicted ORFs, further supporting evidence of translation was found in the recently released Araport11 genome re-annotation of Arabidopsis and computational translations of sequences stored in public repositories. Most interestingly, complementary evidence by ribosome profiling was found for 23 protein N termini. Finally, by analyzing protein N-terminal peptides, an in silico analysis demonstrates the applicability of our N-terminal proteogenomics strategy in revealing protein-coding potential in species with well- and poorly-annotated genomes. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  13. Research and Development Supporting a Next Generation Germanium Double Beta Decay Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rielage, Keith; Elliott, Steve; Chu, Pinghan; Goett, Johnny; Massarczyk, Ralph; Xu, Wenqin

    2015-10-01

    To improve the search for neutrinoless double beta decay, the next-generation experiments will increase in source mass and continue to reduce backgrounds in the region of interest. A promising technology for the next generation experiment is large arrays of Germanium p-type point contact detectors enriched in 76-Ge. The experience, expertise and lessons learned from the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR and GERDA experiments naturally lead to a number of research and development activities that will be useful in guiding a future experiment utilizing Germanium. We will discuss some R&D activities including a hybrid cryostat design, background reduction in cabling, connectors and electronics, and modifications to reduce assembly time. We acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of Energy through the LANL/LDRD Program.

  14. New preparation method of {beta}{double_prime}-alumina and application for AMTEC

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nishi, Toshiro; Tsuru, Yasuhiko; Yamamoto, Hirokazu

    1995-12-31

    The Alkali Metal Thermo-Electric Converter(AMTEC) is an energy conversion system that converts heat to electrical energy with high efficiency. The {beta}{double_prime}-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) is the most important component in the AMTEC system. In this paper, the relationship among the conduction property, the microstructure and the amount of chemical component for BASE is studied. As an analysis of the chemical reaction for each component, the authors established a new BASE preparation method rather than using the conventional method. They also report the AMTFC cell performance using this electrolyte tube on which Mo or TiC electrode is filmed by the screenmore » printing method. Then, an electrochemical analysis and a heat cycle test of AMTEC cell are studied.« less

  15. Structural characterization of the N-terminal mineral modification domains from the molluscan crystal-modulating biomineralization proteins, AP7 and AP24.

    PubMed

    Wustman, Brandon A; Morse, Daniel E; Evans, John Spencer

    2004-08-05

    The AP7 and AP24 proteins represent a class of mineral-interaction polypeptides that are found in the aragonite-containing nacre layer of mollusk shell (H. rufescens). These proteins have been shown to preferentially interfere with calcium carbonate mineral growth in vitro. It is believed that both proteins play an important role in aragonite polymorph selection in the mollusk shell. Previously, we demonstrated the 1-30 amino acid (AA) N-terminal sequences of AP7 and AP24 represent mineral interaction/modification domains in both proteins, as evidenced by their ability to frustrate calcium carbonate crystal growth at step edge regions. In this present report, using free N-terminal, C(alpha)-amide "capped" synthetic polypeptides representing the 1-30 AA regions of AP7 (AP7-1 polypeptide) and AP24 (AP24-1 polypeptide) and NMR spectroscopy, we confirm that both N-terminal sequences possess putative Ca (II) interaction polyanionic sequence regions (2 x -DD- in AP7-1, -DDDED- in AP24-1) that are random coil-like in structure. However, with regard to the remaining sequences regions, each polypeptide features unique structural differences. AP7-1 possesses an extended beta-strand or polyproline type II-like structure within the A11-M10, S12-V13, and S28-I27 sequence regions, with the remaining sequence regions adopting a random-coil-like structure, a trait common to other polyelectrolyte mineral-associated polypeptide sequences. Conversely, AP24-1 possesses random coil-like structure within A1-S9 and Q14-N16 sequence regions, and evidence for turn-like, bend, or loop conformation within the G10-N13, Q17-N24, and M29-F30 sequence regions, similar to the structures identified within the putative elastomeric proteins Lustrin A and sea urchin spicule matrix proteins. The similarities and differences in AP7 and AP24 N-terminal domain structure are discussed with regard to joint AP7-AP24 protein modification of calcium carbonate growth. Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. Purification of lanthanides for double beta decay experiments

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Polischuk, O. G.; Barabash, A. S.; Belli, P.

    2013-08-08

    There are several potentially double beta active isotopes among the lanthanide elements. However, even high purity grade lanthanide compounds contain {sup 238}U, {sup 226}Ra and {sup 232,228}Th typically on the level of ∼ (0.1 - 1) Bq/kg. The liquid-liquid extraction technique was used to remove traces of U, Ra and Th from CeO{sub 2}, Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The radioactive contamination of the samples before and after the purification was tested by using ultra-low-background HPGe γ spectrometry at the underground Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN (Italy). After the purification the radioactive contamination of gadolinium oxidemore » by Ra and Th was decreased at least one order of magnitude. The efficiency of the approach to purify cerium oxide from Ra was on same level, while the radioactive contamination of neodymium sample before and after the purification is below the sensitivity of analytical methods. The purification method is much less efficient for chemically very similar radioactive elements like lanthanum, lutetium and actinium. R and D of the methods to remove the pollutions with improved efficiency is in progress.« less

  17. Design and preparation of beta-sheet forming repetitive and block-copolymerized polypeptides.

    PubMed

    Higashiya, Seiichiro; Topilina, Natalya I; Ngo, Silvana C; Zagorevskii, Dmitri; Welch, John T

    2007-05-01

    The design and rapid construction of libraries of genes coding beta-sheet forming repetitive and block-copolymerized polypeptides bearing various C- and N-terminal sequences are described. The design was based on the assembly of DNA cassettes coding for the (GA)3GX amino acid sequence where the (GAGAGA) sequences would constitute the beta-strand units of a larger beta-sheet assembly. The edges of this beta-sheet would be functionalized by the turn-inducing amino acids (GX). The polypeptides were expressed in Escherichia coli using conventional vectors and were purified by Ni-nitriloacetic acid (NTA) chromatography. The correlation of polymer structure with molecular weight was investigated by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The monomer sequences and post-translational chemical modifications were found to influence the mobility of the polypeptides over the full range of polypeptide molecular weights while the electrophoretic mobility of lower molecular weight polypeptides was more susceptible to C- and N-termini polypeptide modifications.

  18. Isolation and characterization of a cDNA from Cuphea lanceolata encoding a beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase.

    PubMed

    Klein, B; Pawlowski, K; Höricke-Grandpierre, C; Schell, J; Töpfer, R

    1992-05-01

    A cDNA encoding beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase (EC 1.1.1.100), an integral part of the fatty acid synthase type II, was cloned from Cuphea lanceolata. This cDNA of 1276 bp codes for a polypeptide of 320 amino acids with 63 N-terminal residues presumably representing a transit peptide and 257 residues corresponding to the mature protein of 27 kDa. The encoded protein shows strong homology with the amino-terminal sequence and two tryptic peptides from avocado mesocarp beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase, and its total amino acid composition is highly similar to those of the beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductases of avocado and spinach. Amino acid sequence homologies to polyketide synthase, beta-ketoreductases and short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases are discussed. An engineered fusion protein lacking most of the transit peptide, which was produced in Escherichia coli, was isolated and proved to possess beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase activity. Hybridization studies revealed that in C. lanceolata beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase is encoded by a small family of at least two genes and that members of this family are expressed in roots, leaves, flowers and seeds.

  19. Structural Assessment of Solid Propellant Grains (l’Evaluation structurale des blocs de poudre a’ propergol solide)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-12-01

    bonds) This technique is based on the observation of the reflection and attenuation of an ultrasonic wave traversing an object, and is used to check...Nearly all present day composite propellants for tactical rocket motors use hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene ( HTPB ) as a binder as this offers the...polyurethane as a binder. The inferior mechanical properties of these propellants compared to HTPB limited their use. In large space booster and

  20. N-linked oligosaccharides on the low density lipoprotein receptor homolog SorLA/LR11 are modified with terminal GalNAc-4-SO4 in kidney and brain.

    PubMed

    Fiete, Dorothy; Mi, Yiling; Oats, Edward L; Beranek, Mary C; Baenziger, Jacques U

    2007-01-19

    Sorting protein-related receptor (SorLA/LR11) is a highly conserved mosaic receptor that is expressed by cells in a number of different tissues including principal cells of the collecting ducts in the kidney and neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. SorLA/LR11 has features that indicate it serves as a sorting receptor shuttling between the plasma membrane, endosomes, and the Golgi. We have found that a fraction of SorLA/LR11 that is synthesized in the kidney and the brain bears N-linked oligosaccharides that are modified with terminal beta1,4-linked GalNAc-4-SO(4). Oligosaccharides located in the vacuolar sorting (Vps) 10p domain (Vps10p domain) are modified with beta1,4-linked GalNAc when the Vps10p domain is expressed in cells along with either of two recently cloned protein-specific beta1,4GalNAc-transferases, GalNAcTIII and GalNAcTIV. Either of two sequences with basic amino acids located within the Vps10p domain is able to mediate recognition by these beta1,4GalNAc-transferases. The highly specific modification of oligosaccharides in the Vps10p domain of SorLA/LR11 with terminal GalNAc-4-SO(4) suggests that this unusual modification may modulate the interaction of SorLA/LR11 with proteins and influence their trafficking.

  1. A Novel Di-Leucine Motif at the N-Terminus of Human Organic Solute Transporter Beta Is Essential for Protein Association and Membrane Localization.

    PubMed

    Xu, Shuhua; Soroka, Carol J; Sun, An-Qiang; Backos, Donald S; Mennone, Albert; Suchy, Frederick J; Boyer, James L

    2016-01-01

    The heteromeric membrane protein Organic Solute Transporter alpha/beta is the major bile acid efflux transporter in the intestine. Physical association of its alpha and beta subunits is essential for their polarized basolateral membrane localization and function in the transport of bile acids and other organic solutes. We identified a highly conserved acidic dileucine motif (-EL20L21EE) at the extracellular amino-tail of organic solute transporter beta from multiple species. To characterize the role of this protein interacting domain in the association of the human beta and alpha subunits and in membrane localization of the transporter, Leu20 and Leu21 on the amino-tail of human organic solute transporter beta were replaced with alanines by site-directed mutagenesis. Co-immunoprecipitation study in HEK293 cells demonstrated that substitution of the leucine residues with alanines prevented the interaction of the human beta mutant with the alpha subunit. Membrane biotinylation demonstrated that the LL/AA mutant eliminated membrane expression of both subunits. Computational-based modelling of human organic solute transporter beta suggested that the LL/AA mutation substantially alters both the structure and lipophilicity of the surface, thereby not only affecting the interaction with the alpha subunit but also possibly impacting the capacity of the beta subunit to traffick through the cell and interact with the membrane. In summary, our findings indicate that the dileucine motif in the extracellular N-terminal region of human organic solute transporter beta subunit plays a critical role in the association with the alpha subunit and in its polarized plasma membrane localization.

  2. The Majorana Demonstrator: Progress towards showing the feasibility of a tonne-scale 76Ge neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Finnerty, P.; Aguayo, E.; Amman, M.; Avignone, F. T., Iii; Barabash, A. S.; Barton, P. J.; Beene, J. R.; Bertrand, F. E.; Boswell, M.; Brudanin, V.; Busch, M.; Chan, Y.-D.; Christofferson, C. D.; Collar, J. I.; Combs, D. C.; Cooper, R. J.; Detwiler, J. A.; Doe, P. J.; Efremenko, Yu; Egorov, V.; Ejiri, H.; Elliott, S. R.; Esterline, J.; Fast, J. E.; Fields, N.; Fraenkle, F. M.; Galindo-Uribarri, A.; Gehman, V. M.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Green, M. P.; Guiseppe, V. E.; Gusey, K.; Hallin, A. L.; Hazama, R.; Henning, R.; Hoppe, E. W.; Horton, M.; Howard, S.; Howe, M. A.; Johnson, R. A.; Keeter, K. J.; Kidd, M. F.; Knecht, A.; Kochetov, O.; Konovalov, S. I.; Kouzes, R. T.; LaFerriere, B. D.; Leon, J.; Leviner, L. E.; Loach, J. C.; Luke, P. N.; MacMullin, S.; Marino, M. G.; Martin, R. D.; Merriman, J. H.; Miller, M. L.; Mizouni, L.; Nomachi, M.; Orrell, J. L.; Overman, N. R.; Perumpilly, G.; Phillips, D. G., Ii; Poon, A. W. P.; Radford, D. C.; Rielage, K.; Robertson, R. G. H.; Ronquest, M. C.; Schubert, A. G.; Shima, T.; Shirchenko, M.; Snavely, K. J.; Steele, D.; Strain, J.; Timkin, V.; Tornow, W.; Varner, R. L.; Vetter, K.; Vorren, K.; Wilkerson, J. F.; Yakushev, E.; Yaver, H.; Young, A. R.; Yu, C.-H.; Yumatov, V.; Majorana Collaboration

    2014-03-01

    The Majorana Demonstrator will search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay (0vββ) of the 76Ge isotope with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. The observation of this rare decay would indicate the neutrino is its own anti-particle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass-scale of the neutrino. The Demonstrator is being assembled at the 4850 foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. The array will be contained in a low-background environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. The goals for the Demonstrator are: demonstrating a background rate less than 3 t-1 y-1 in the 4 keV region of interest (ROI) surrounding the 2039 keV 76Ge endpoint energy; establishing the technology required to build a tonne-scale germanium based double-beta decay experiment; testing the recent claim of observation of 0vββ [1]; and performing a direct search for light WIMPs (3-10 GeV/c2).

  3. Low thrust chemical orbit to orbit propulsion system propellant management study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dergance, R. H.; Hamlyn, K. M.; Tegart, J. R.

    1981-01-01

    Low thrust chemical propulsion systems were sized for transfer of large space systems from LEO to GEO. The influence of propellant combination, tankage and insulation requirements, and propellant management techniques on the LTPS mass and volume were studied. Liquid oxygen combined with hydrogen, methane or kerosene were the propellant combinations. Thrust levels of 445, 2230, and 4450 N were combined with 1, 4 and 8 perigee burn strategies. This matrix of systems was evaluated using multilayer insulation and spray-on-foam insulation systems. Various combinations of toroidal, cylindrical with ellipsoidal domes, and ellipsoidal tank shapes were investigated. Results indicate that low thrust (445 N) and single perigee burn approaches are considerably less efficient than the higher thrust level and multiple burn strategies. A modified propellant settling approach minimized propellant residuals and decreased system complexity, in addition, the toroid/ellipsoidal tank combination was predicted to be shortest.

  4. Amyloid-beta oligomers impair fear conditioned memory in a calcineurin-dependent fashion in mice.

    PubMed

    Dineley, Kelly T; Kayed, Rakez; Neugebauer, Volker; Fu, Yu; Zhang, Wenru; Reese, Lindsay C; Taglialatela, Giulio

    2010-10-01

    Soluble oligomeric aggregates of the amyloid-beta (A beta) peptide are believed to be the most neurotoxic A beta species affecting the brain in Alzheimer disease (AD), a terminal neurodegenerative disorder involving severe cognitive decline underscored by initial synaptic dysfunction and later extensive neuronal death in the CNS. Recent evidence indicates that A beta oligomers are recruited at the synapse, oppose expression of long-term potentiation (LTP), perturb intracellular calcium balance, disrupt dendritic spines, and induce memory deficits. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these outcomes are only partially understood; achieving such insight is necessary for the comprehension of A beta-mediated neuronal dysfunction. We have investigated the role of the phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) in these pathological processes of AD. CaN is especially abundant in the CNS, where it is involved in synaptic activity, LTP, and memory function. Here, we describe how oligomeric A beta treatment causes memory deficits and depresses LTP expression in a CaN-dependent fashion. Mice given a single intracerebroventricular injection of A beta oligomers exhibited increased CaN activity and decreased pCREB, a transcription factor involved in proper synaptic function, accompanied by decreased memory in a fear conditioning task. These effects were reversed by treatment with the CaN inhibitor FK506. We further found that expression of hippocampal LTP in acutely cultured rodent brain slices was opposed by A beta oligomers and that this effect was also reversed by FK506. Collectively, these results indicate that CaN activation may play a central role in mediating synaptic and memory disruption induced by acute oligomeric A beta treatment in mice. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  5. Using PDV to Understand Damage in Rocket Motor Propellants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tear, Gareth; Chapman, David; Ottley, Phillip; Proud, William; Gould, Peter; Cullis, Ian

    2017-06-01

    There is a continuing requirement to design and manufacture insensitive munition (IM) rocket motors for in-service use under a wide range of conditions, particularly due to shock initiation and detonation of damaged propellant spalled across the central bore of the rocket motor (XDT). High speed photography has been crucial in determining this behaviour, however attempts to model the dynamic behaviour are limited by the lack of precision particle and wave velocity data with which to validate against. In this work Photonic Doppler Velocimetery (PDV) has been combined with high speed video to give accurate point velocity and timing measurements of the rear surface of a propellant block impacted by a fragment travelling upto 1.4 km s-1. By combining traditional high speed video with PDV through a dichroic mirror, the point of velocity measurement within the debris cloud has been determined. This demonstrates a new capability to characterise the damage behaviour of a double base rocket motor propellant and hence validate the damage and fragmentation algorithms used in the numerical simulations.

  6. Reaction of. beta. -propiolactone with derivatives of adenine and with DNA

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, R.; Mieyal, J.J.; Goldthwait, D.A.

    1982-01-01

    The reaction of deoxyadenosine with ..beta..-propiolactone produces two derivatives. One is 1-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-deoxyadenosine (CEdA). The proposed structure for the other is 3-(..beta..-D-2-deoxyribosyl)-7,8-dihydropyrimido-(2,l-i)purine-9-one (dDPP). Spectral characteristics of both compounds are presented. These include u.v. spectra of each in acidic, neutral and alkaline solutions, i.r. spectra, fluorescence spectra, and n.m.r. spectra. The dDPP can be converted to CEdA by mild acid hydrolysis, and the CEdA can be converted to dDPP by reaction with a carbodiimide derivative. When poly A was reacted with ..beta..-propiolactone, the yield of dDPP in the polymer was 7-9%. When double-stranded DNA was alkylated by (/sup 3/H)..beta..-propiolactone at relatively highmore » concentrations and then acid hydrolyzed to separate 1-(2-carboxyethyl)adenine (CEA) and 7-(2-carboxyethyl)guanine (CEG), and CEA to CEG ratio of up to 0.62 was obtained. With relatively low concentrations of (/sup 3/H)..beta..-propiolactone, the yield of CEA was low with double-stranded DNA but was 5-6 fold greater with single-stranded DNA.« less

  7. Blocking an N-terminal acetylation–dependent protein interaction inhibits an E3 ligase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Scott, Daniel C.; Hammill, Jared T.; Min, Jaeki

    N-terminal acetylation is an abundant modification influencing protein functions. Because ~80% of mammalian cytosolic proteins are N-terminally acetylated, this modification is potentially an untapped target for chemical control of their functions. Structural studies have revealed that, like lysine acetylation, N-terminal acetylation converts a positively charged amine into a hydrophobic handle that mediates protein interactions; hence, this modification may be a druggable target. We report the development of chemical probes targeting the N-terminal acetylation–dependent interaction between an E2 conjugating enzyme (UBE2M or UBC12) and DCN1 (DCUN1D1), a subunit of a multiprotein E3 ligase for the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8. The inhibitors aremore » highly selective with respect to other protein acetyl-amide–binding sites, inhibit NEDD8 ligation in vitro and in cells, and suppress anchorage-independent growth of a cell line with DCN1 amplification. Overall, our data demonstrate that N-terminal acetyl-dependent protein interactions are druggable targets and provide insights into targeting multiprotein E2–E3 ligases.« less

  8. Modeling of the N-terminal Section and the Lumenal Loop of Trimeric Light Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) by Using EPR*

    PubMed Central

    Fehr, Niklas; Dietz, Carsten; Polyhach, Yevhen; von Hagens, Tona; Jeschke, Gunnar; Paulsen, Harald

    2015-01-01

    The major light harvesting complex II (LHCII) of green plants plays a key role in the absorption of sunlight, the regulation of photosynthesis, and in preventing photodamage by excess light. The latter two functions are thought to involve the lumenal loop and the N-terminal domain. Their structure and mobility in an aqueous environment are only partially known. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been used to measure the structure of these hydrophilic protein domains in detergent-solubilized LHCII. A new technique is introduced to prepare LHCII trimers in which only one monomer is spin-labeled. These heterogeneous trimers allow to measure intra-molecular distances within one LHCII monomer in the context of a trimer by using double electron-electron resonance (DEER). These data together with data from electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) allowed to model the N-terminal protein section, which has not been resolved in current crystal structures, and the lumenal loop domain. The N-terminal domain covers only a restricted area above the superhelix in LHCII, which is consistent with the “Velcro” hypothesis to explain thylakoid grana stacking (Standfuss, J., van Terwisscha Scheltinga, A. C., Lamborghini, M., and Kühlbrandt, W. (2005) EMBO J. 24, 919–928). The conformation of the lumenal loop domain is surprisingly different between LHCII monomers and trimers but not between complexes with and without neoxanthin bound. PMID:26316535

  9. Steady and Unsteady Loadings and Hydrodynamic Forces on Counterrotating Propellers.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1976-07-01

    forces and bending moments) of counterrotating propeller systems with equal and unequal number of blades operating in uniform and nonuniform inflow...1899 July 1976 STEADY AND UNSTEADY LOADIN GS AND HYDRODYNAM IC FORCES ON COUNTERROTATING PROPELLERS by S. Tsakonas, W. Jacobs and M. Afl This study...operator II , LINEARIZED UNSTEADY LIFTING SURFACE THEORY index of sunviiation Two counterrotating propellers are operatin g i n the flow of an ideal

  10. Observation of a possible optical burst of the double star Beta Camelopardalis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wdowiak, T. J.; Clifton, K. S.

    1985-01-01

    An intensified SEC Vidicon observation of a brightening of the image of Beta Cam for a duration of about 0.25 sec at 0932 UT on December 4, 1969 is described. The observation was made during airborne observations of meteors over Canada between latitudes of 50 and 60 deg N.

  11. Solution structure and backbone dynamics of the N-terminal region of the calcium regulatory domain from soybean calcium-dependent protein kinase alpha.

    PubMed

    Weljie, Aalim M; Gagné, Stéphane M; Vogel, Hans J

    2004-12-07

    Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are vital Ca(2+)-signaling proteins in plants and protists which have both a kinase domain and a self-contained calcium regulatory calmodulin-like domain (CLD). Despite being very similar to CaM (>40% identity) and sharing the same fold, recent biochemical and structural evidence suggests that the behavior of CLD is distinct from its namesake, calmodulin. In this study, NMR spectroscopy is employed to examine the structure and backbone dynamics of a 168 amino acid Ca(2+)-saturated construct of the CLD (NtH-CLD) in which almost the entire C-terminal domain is exchange broadened and not visible in the NMR spectra. Structural characterization of the N-terminal domain indicates that the first Ca(2+)-binding loop is significantly more open than in a recently reported structure of the CLD complexed with a putative intramolecular binding region (JD) in the CDPK. Backbone dynamics suggest that parts of the third helix exhibit unusually high mobility, and significant exchange, consistent with previous findings that this helix interacts with the C-terminal domain. Dynamics data also show that the "tether" region, consisting of the first 11 amino acids of CLD, is highly mobile and these residues exhibit distinctive beta-type secondary structure, which may help to position the JD and CLD. Finally, the unusual global dynamic behavior of the protein is rationalized on the basis of possible interdomain rearrangements and the highly variable environments of the C- and N-terminal domains.

  12. Studies on the InAlN/InGaN/InAlN/InGaN double channel heterostructures with low sheet resistance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yachao; Wang, Zhizhe; Xu, Shengrui; Chen, Dazheng; Bao, Weimin; Zhang, Jinfeng; Zhang, Jincheng; Hao, Yue

    2017-11-01

    High quality InAlN/InGaN/InAlN/InGaN double channel heterostructures were proposed and grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Benefiting from the adoption of the pulsed growth method and Two-Step AlN interlayer, the material quality and interface characteristics of the double channel heterostructures are satisfactory. The results of the temperature-dependent Hall effect measurement indicated that the transport properties of the double channel heterostructures were superior to those of the traditional single channel heterostructures in the whole test temperature range. Meanwhile, the sheet resistance of the double channel heterostructures reached 218.5 Ω/□ at 300 K, which is the record of InGaN-based heterostructures. The good transport properties of the InGaN double channel heterostructures are beneficial to improve the performance of the microwave power devices based on nitride semiconductors.

  13. Molecular cloning of a novel widely expressed human 80 kDa 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase IV.

    PubMed Central

    Adamski, J; Normand, T; Leenders, F; Monté, D; Begue, A; Stéhelin, D; Jungblut, P W; de Launoit, Y

    1995-01-01

    Reactions of oestrogens and androgens at position C-17 are catalysed by 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17 beta-HSDs). Cloning of the cDNA of a novel human 17 beta-HSD IV and expression of its mRNA are described. A probe derived from the recently discovered porcine 17 beta-oestradiol dehydrogenase (17 beta-EDH) was used to isolate a 2.6 kb human cDNA encoding a continuous protein of 736 amino acids of high (84%) similarity to the porcine 17 beta-EDH. The calculated molecular mass of the human enzyme is 79,595 Da. Other sequence similarities shared by the two enzymes are: an N-terminal sequence which is similar to that of members of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase family; amino acids 343-607 which are similar to the C-terminal domains of a trifunctional Candida tropicalis enzyme and the FOX2 gene product of Saccharomyces cerevisiae; amino acids 596-736 which are similar to human sterol carrier protein 2. The previously cloned human 17 beta-HSD I, II and III are less than 25% identical with 17 beta-HSD IV. mRNA for HSD IV is a single species of 3.0 kb, present in many tissues with highest concentrations in liver, heart, prostate and testes. When over-expressed in mammalian cells, the human 17 beta-HSD IV enzyme displays a specific unidirectional oxidative 17 beta-HSD activity. Images Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 PMID:7487879

  14. Targeted mass spectrometric analysis of N-terminally truncated isoforms generated via alternative translation initiation.

    PubMed

    Kobayashi, Ryuji; Patenia, Rebecca; Ashizawa, Satoshi; Vykoukal, Jody

    2009-07-21

    Alternative translation initiation is a mechanism whereby functionally altered proteins are produced from a single mRNA. Internal initiation of translation generates N-terminally truncated protein isoforms, but such isoforms observed in immunoblot analysis are often overlooked or dismissed as degradation products. We identified an N-terminally truncated isoform of human Dok-1 with N-terminal acetylation as seen in the wild-type. This Dok-1 isoform exhibited distinct perinuclear localization whereas the wild-type protein was distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Targeted analysis of blocked N-terminal peptides provides rapid identification of protein isoforms and could be widely applied for the general evaluation of perplexing immunoblot bands.

  15. Propeller Design for Naval Auxiliary AO-177 Jumbo.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-09-01

    15- Comparison of EHP and Propeller/Hull Interaction Coefficients Between Stock and Design Propellers .................................. 74 vi ...07.744.. 2’ 1-6~ ’q . 0 ’ 𔄀IVv voft - ftmN m 80 In o(4--4AC- In W2400 v *n6mY1(" m i, Lni -- -)0- .. I . . . . . . . I-f n at0 :𔃺 ~ 0 MO vi ’ 0...7.6612 7.1022 8.0280 5 3439 4:.1701 4.47t2: 2.6071 2.7382 2.4780 2.t@77 1.7930 8.2640 0.0000) l-2.707-225-.62-.11 - 7879 -. 6431 - 5765 -. 4069 -. 176

  16. Noise reduction for model counterrotation propeller at cruise by reducing aft-propeller diameter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dittmar, James H.; Stang, David B.

    1987-01-01

    The forward propeller of a model counterrotation propeller was tested with its original aft propeller and with a reduced diameter aft propeller. Noise reductions with the reduced diameter aft propeller were measured at simulated cruise conditions. Reductions were as large as 7.5 dB for the aft-propeller passing tone and 15 dB in the harmonics at specific angles. The interaction tones, mostly the first, were reduced probably because the reduced-diameter aft-propeller blades no longer interacted with the forward propeller tip vortex. The total noise (sum of primary and interaction noise) at each harmonic was significantly reduced. The chief noise reduction at each harmonic came from reduced aft-propeller-alone noise, with the interaction tones contributing little to the totals at cruise. Total cruise noise reductions were as much as 3 dB at given angles for the blade passing tone and 10 dB for some of the harmonics. These reductions would measurably improve the fuselage interior noise levels and represent a definite cruise noise benefit from using a reduced diameter aft propeller.

  17. C-Jun N-terminal kinase signalling pathway in response to cisplatin.

    PubMed

    Yan, Dong; An, GuangYu; Kuo, Macus Tien

    2016-11-01

    Cisplatin (cis diamminedichloroplatinum II, cDDP) is one of the most effective cancer chemotherapeutic agents and is used in the treatment of many types of human malignancies. However, inherent tumour resistance is a major barrier to effective cisplatin therapy. So far, the mechanism of cDDP resistance has not been well defined. In general, cisplatin is considered to be a cytotoxic drug, for damaging DNA and inhibiting DNA synthesis, resulting in apoptosis via the mitochondrial death pathway or plasma membrane disruption. cDDP-induced DNA damage triggers signalling pathways that will eventually decide between cell life and death. As a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinases family, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a signalling pathway in response to extracellular stimuli, especially drug treatment, to modify the activity of numerous proteins locating in the mitochondria or the nucleus. Recent studies suggest that JNK signalling pathway plays a major role in deciding the fate of the cell and inducing resistance to cDDP-induced apoptosis in human tumours. c-Jun N-terminal kinase regulates several important cellular functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis while activating and inhibiting substrates for phosphorylation transcription factors (c-Jun, ATF2: Activating transcription factor 2, p53 and so on), which subsequently induce pro-apoptosis and pro-survival factors expression. Therefore, it is suggested that JNK signal pathway is a double-edged sword in cDDP treatment, simultaneously being a significant pro-apoptosis factor but also being associated with increased resistance to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. This review focuses on current knowledge concerning the role of JNK in cell response to cDDP, as well as their role in cisplatin resistance. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

  18. Evaluation of Flygt Propeller Xixers for Double Shell Tank (DST) High Level Waste Auxiliary Solids Mobilization

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    PACQUET, E.A.

    The River Protection Project (RPP) is planning to retrieve radioactive waste from the single-shell tanks (SST) and double-shell tanks (DST) underground at the Hanford Site. This waste will then be transferred to a waste treatment plant to be immobilized (vitrified) in a stable glass form. Over the years, the waste solids in many of the tanks have settled to form a layer of sludge at the bottom. The thickness of the sludge layer varies from tank to tank, from no sludge or a few inches of sludge to about 15 ft of sludge. The purpose of this technology and engineeringmore » case study is to evaluate the Flygt{trademark} submersible propeller mixer as a potential technology for auxiliary mobilization of DST HLW solids. Considering the usage and development to date by other sites in the development of this technology, this study also has the objective of expanding the knowledge base of the Flygt{trademark} mixer concept with the broader perspective of Hanford Site tank waste retrieval. More specifically, the objectives of this study delineated from the work plan are described.« less

  19. Cooperative alpha-helix formation of beta-lactoglobulin induced by sodium n-alkyl sulfates.

    PubMed

    Chamani, J; Moosavi-Movahedi, A A; Rajabi, O; Gharanfoli, M; Momen-Heravi, M; Hakimelahi, G H; Neamati-Baghsiah, A; Varasteh, A R

    2006-01-01

    It is generally assumed that folding intermediates contain partially formed native-like secondary structures. However, if we consider the fact that the conformational stability of the intermediate state is simpler than that of the native state, it would be expected that the secondary structures in a folding intermediate would not necessarily be similar to those of the native state. beta-Lactoglobulin is a predominantly beta-sheet protein, although it has a markedly high intrinsic preference for alpha-helical structure. The formation of non-native alpha-helical intermediate of beta-lactoglobulin was induced by n-alkyl sulfates including sodium octyl sulfate, SOS; sodium decyl sulfate, SDeS; sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS; and sodium tetradecyl sulfate, STS at special condition. The effect of n-alkyl sulfates on the structure of native beta-lactoglobulin at pH 2 was utilized to investigate the contribution of hydrophobic interactions to the stability of non-native alpha-helical intermediate. The addition of various concentrations of n-alkyl sulfates to the native state of beta-lactoglobulin (pH 2) appears to support the stabilized form of non-native alpha-helical intermediate at pH 2. The m values of the intermediate state of beta-lactoglobulin by SOS, SDeS, SDS and STS showed substantial variation. The enhancement of m values as the stability criterion of non-native alpha-helical intermediate state corresponded with increasing chain length of the cited n-alkyl sulfates. The present results suggest that the folding reaction of beta-lactoglobulin follows a non-hierarchical mechanism and hydrophobic interactions play important roles in stabilizing the non-native alpha-helical intermediate state.

  20. Constraining neutrino mass from neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dev, P. S. Bhupal; Goswami, Srubabati; Mitra, Manimala; Rodejohann, Werner

    2013-11-01

    We study the implications of the recent results on neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) from GERDA-I (Ge76) and KamLAND-Zen+EXO-200 (Xe136) and the upper limit on the sum of light neutrino masses from Planck. We show that the upper limits on the effective neutrino mass from Xe136 are stronger than those from Ge76 for most of the recent calculations of the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs). We also analyze the compatibility of these limits with the claimed observation in Ge76 and show that while the updated claim value is still compatible with the recent GERDA limit as well as the individual Xe136 limits for a few NME calculations, it is inconsistent with the combined Xe136 limit for all but one NME. Imposing the most stringent limit from Planck, we find that the canonical light neutrino contribution cannot saturate the current limit, irrespective of the NME uncertainties. Saturation can be reached by inclusion of the right-handed (RH) neutrino contributions in TeV-scale left-right symmetric models with type-II seesaw. This imposes a lower limit on the lightest neutrino mass. Using the 0νββ bounds, we also derive correlated constraints in the RH sector, complimentary to those from direct searches at the LHC.

  1. 75 FR 62333 - Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Propellers Model 247F Propellers

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-08

    ...., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory... that the 247F propeller blades, P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2449 to FR2958 inclusive, FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT inclusive, manufactured since January 1999, might also have...

  2. Noise control prediction for high-speed, propeller-driven aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilby, J. F.; Rennison, D. C.; Wilby, E. G.; Marsh, A. H.

    1980-01-01

    An analytical study is described which explores add-on treatments and advanced concepts for the reduction of noise levels in three high-speed aircraft driven by propellers. Noise reductions of 25 to 28 dB are required to achieve a goal of an A-weighted sound level not greater than 80 dB. It is found that only a double-wall system, with a limp inner wall or trim panel, can achieve the required noise reductions. Weight penalties are estimated for the double-wall treatments. These penalties are 0.75% to 1.51% of the aircraft takeoff weight for the particular baseline designs selected.

  3. Polymer support oligonucleotide synthesis XVIII: use of beta-cyanoethyl-N,N-dialkylamino-/N-morpholino phosphoramidite of deoxynucleosides for the synthesis of DNA fragments simplifying deprotection and isolation of the final product.

    PubMed Central

    Sinha, N D; Biernat, J; McManus, J; Köster, H

    1984-01-01

    Various 5'O-N-protected deoxynucleoside-3'-O-beta-cyanoethyl-N,N-dialkylamino-/N- morpholinophosphoramidites were prepared from beta-cyanoethyl monochlorophosphoramidites of N,N-dimethylamine, N,N-diisopropylamine and N-morpholine. These active deoxynucleoside phosphates have successfully been used for oligodeoxynucleotide synthesis on controlled pore glass as polymer support and are very suitable for automated DNA-synthesis due to their stability in solution. The intermediate dichloro-beta- cyanoethoxyphosphine can easily be prepared free from any PC1(3) contamination. The active monomers obtained from beta-cyanoethyl monochloro N,N- diisopropylaminophosphoramidites are favoured. Cleavage of the oligonucleotide chain from the polymer support, N-deacylation and deprotection of beta-cyanoethyl group from the phosphate triester moiety can be performed in one step with concentrated aqueous ammonia. Mixed oligodeoxynucleotides are characterized by the sequencing method of Maxam and Gilbert. Images PMID:6547529

  4. Search for neutrinoless double beta decay with GERDA phase II

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agostini, M.; Bakalyarov, A. M.; Balata, M.; Barabanov, I.; Baudis, L.; Bauer, C.; Bellotti, E.; Belogurov, S.; Bettini, A.; Bezrukov, L.; Bode, T.; Borowicz, D.; Brudanin, V.; Brugnera, R.; Caldwell, A.; Cattadori, C.; Chernogorov, A.; D'Andrea, V.; Demidova, E. V.; Di Marco, N.; Domula, A.; Doroshkevich, E.; Egorov, V.; Falkenstein, R.; Gangapshev, A.; Garfagnini, A.; Gooch, C.; Grabmayr, P.; Gurentsov, V.; Gusev, K.; Hakenmüller, J.; Hegai, A.; Heisel, M.; Hemmer, S.; Hofmann, W.; Hult, M.; Inzhechik, L. V.; Csáthy, J. Janicskó; Jochum, J.; Junker, M.; Kazalov, V.; Kihm, T.; Kirpichnikov, I. V.; Kirsch, A.; Kish, A.; Klimenko, A.; Kneißl, R.; Knies, J.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Kochetov, O.; Kornoukhov, V. N.; Kuzminov, V. V.; Laubenstein, M.; Lazzaro, A.; Lebedev, V. I.; Liao, H. Y.; Lindner, M.; Lippi, I.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Lubsandorzhiev, B.; Lutter, G.; Majorovits, B.; Maneschg, W.; Marissens, G.; Miloradovic, M.; Mingazheva, R.; Misiaszek, M.; Moseev, P.; Nemchenok, I.; Panas, K.; Pandola, L.; Pelczar, K.; Pullia, A.; Ransom, C.; Reissfelder, M.; Riboldi, S.; Rumyantseva, N.; Sada, C.; Salamida, F.; Schmitt, C.; Schneider, B.; Schönert, S.; Schreiner, J.; Schulz, O.; Schütz, A.-K.; Schwingenheuer, B.; Seitz, H.; Selivanenko, O.; Shevchik, E.; Shirchenko, M.; Simgen, H.; Smolnikov, A.; Stanco, L.; Vanhoefer, L.; Vasenko, A. A.; Veresnikova, A.; von Sturm, K.; Wagner, V.; Wegmann, A.; Wester, T.; Wiesinger, C.; Wojcik, M.; Yanovich, E.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhukov, S. V.; Zinatulina, D.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

    2017-10-01

    The GERmanium Detector Array (gerda) experiment, located at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory in Italy, is one of the leading experiments for the search of 0νββ decay. In Phase II of the experiment 35.6 kg of enriched germanium detectors are operated. The application of active background rejection methods, such as a liquid argon scintillation light read-out and pulse shape discrimination of germanium detector signals, allowed to reduce the background index to the intended level of 10-3 cts/(keV.kg.yr). In the first five month of data taking 10.8 kg yr of exposure were accumulated. No signal has been found and together with data from Phase I a new limit for the neutrinoless double beta decay half-life of 76Ge of 5.3 . 1025 yr at 90% C.L. was established in June 2016. Phase II data taking is ongoing and will allow the exploration of half-lifes in the 1026 yr regime. The current status of data taking and an update on the background index are presented.

  5. Single and double C-Cl-activation of methylene chloride by P,N-ligand coordinated rhodium complexes.

    PubMed

    Blank, Benoît; Glatz, Germund; Kempe, Rhett

    2009-02-02

    Two in one: The simultaneous formation of bimetallic mu-methylene bridged Rh(III) complexes as well as dimeric Rh(III) complexes with terminal chloromethyl groups is observed for P,N-ligand stabilized Rh(I) complexes by C-Cl bond activation of methylene chloride. A mechanistic proposal for the formation of both activation products is also discussed. The synthesis of Rh(I) complexes with P-functionalized aminopyridine ligands is reported as well as the first simultaneous observation of a single and double activation of C-Cl bonds of methylene chloride affording both a dimeric Rh(III) complex bearing terminal CH(2)Cl groups in addition to a binuclear Rh(III) complex with a bridging mu-CH(2) group. The structures of the oxidative addition products were obtained by X-ray diffraction studies and NMR experiments were performed to elucidate some aspects of the reaction pathway.

  6. Toxicity of aerosol propellants in the respiratory and circulatory systems. VI. Influence of cardiac and pulmonary vascular lesions in the rat.

    PubMed

    Doherty, R E; Aviado, D M

    1975-01-01

    Three propellants were selected for investigation in rats because of their non-uniform effect in mice and monkeys. Trichlorofluoromethane (FC 11) provoked arrhythmia in all three animal species, dichlorodifluoromethane (FC 12) in monkeys and rats but not in mice, and difluoroethane (FC 152a) only in rats. In rats the alterations in heart rate and electrocardiographic pattern during inhalation of these propellants are largely brought about by release of catecholamines from the adrenal gland, because adrenalectomy or prior injection of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs decreased the incidence of cardiac effects. Rats that have pulmonary vascular thrombosis or cardiac necrosis become more sensitive to proarrhythmic activity of these propellants.

  7. Lewis acid tuned facial stereodivergent HDA reactions using beta-substituted N-vinyloxazolidinones.

    PubMed

    Gohier, Frédéric; Bouhadjera, Keltoum; Faye, Djibril; Gaulon, Catherine; Maisonneuve, Vincent; Dujardin, Gilles; Dhal, Robert

    2007-01-18

    The [4 + 2] acido-catalyzed heterocycloaddition between new beta-substituted N-vinyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones (with R' = Me, Ar, CH2 Ar) and beta,gamma-unsaturated alpha-ketoesters (R = Ar) afforded heteroadducts with high levels of endo and facial selectivities. A complete reversal of facial differentiation was achieved by varying the Lewis acid, leading to the stereoselective formation of either endo-alpha or endo-beta adducts. [reaction: see text].

  8. A method of calculating the performance of controllable propellers with sample computations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hartman, Edwin P

    1934-01-01

    This paper contains a series of calculations showing how the performance of controllable propellers may be derived from data on fixed-pitch propellers given in N.A.C.A. Technical Report No. 350, or from similar data. Sample calculations are given which compare the performance of airplanes with fixed-pitch and with controllable propellers. The gain in performance with controllable propellers is shown to be largely due to the increased power available, rather than to an increase in efficiency. Controllable propellers are of particular advantage when used with geared and with supercharged engines. A controllable propeller reduces the take-off run, increases the rate of climb and the ceiling, but does not increase the high speed, except when operating above the design altitude of the previously used fixed-pitch propeller or when that propeller was designed for other than high speed.

  9. A pseudodeficiency allele (D152N) of the human {beta}-glucuronidase gene

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vervoort, R.; Liebaers, I.; Lissens, W.

    1995-10-01

    We present evidence that a 480G{r_arrow}A transition in the coding region of the {Beta}glucuronidase gene, which results in an aspartic-acid-to-asparagine substitution at amino acid position 152 (D152N), produces a pseudodeficiency allele (GUSBp) that leads to greatly reduced levels of {Beta}-glucuronidase activity without apparent deleterious consequences. The 48OG{r_arrow}A mutation was found initially in the pseudodeficient mother of a child with mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPSVII), but it was not on her disease-causing allele, which carried the L176F mutation. The 480G{r_arrow}A change was also present in an unrelated individual with another MPSVII allele who had unusually low {Beta}-glucuronidase activity, but whose clinical symptoms weremore » probably unrelated to {Beta}-glucuronidase deficiency. This individual also had an R357X mutation, probably on his second allele. We screened 100 unrelated normal individuals for the 480G{r_arrow}A mutation with a PCR method and detected one carrier. Reduced {Beta}-glucuronidase activity following transfection of COS cells with the D152N cDNA supported the causal relationship between the D152N allele and pseudodeficiency. The mutation reduced the fraction of expressed enzyme that was secreted. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the reduced activity in COS cells was due to accelerated intracellular turnover of the D152N enzyme. They also suggested that a potential glycosylation site created by the mutation is utilized in {approximately}50% of the enzyme expressed. 25 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.« less

  10. High energy, low temperature gelled bi-propellant formulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Di Salvo, Roberto (Inventor)

    2011-01-01

    The present invention is a bi-propellant system comprising a gelled liquid propane (GLP) fuel and a gelled MON-30 (70% N.sub.2O.sub.4+30% NO) oxidizer. The bi-propellant system is particularly well-suited for outer planet missions greater than 3 AU from the sun and also functions in earth and near earth environments. Additives such as powders of boron, carbon, lithium, and/or aluminum can be added to the fuel component to improve performance or enhance hypergolicity. The gelling agent can be silicon dioxide, clay, carbon, or organic or inorganic polymers. The bi-propellant system may be, but need not be, hypergolic.

  11. Bilateral Breast Reconstruction with Extended Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Propeller Flaps and Implants

    PubMed Central

    Gunnarsson, Gudjon L.; Børsen-Koch, Mikkel; Nielsen, Henrik T.; Salzberg, Andrew

    2015-01-01

    Summary: We present our experience of bilateral total breast reconstruction using a double-sided extended thoracodorsal artery perforator propeller flap in a case series of 10 patients. Reconstruction was successfully achieved in all cases with few complications. The median time for surgery was 275 minutes (200–330), and the average implant size used was 350 cm3 (195–650). We demonstrate how the extended thoracodorsal artery perforator propeller flap allows for a swift and reliable direct to implant bilateral total breast reconstruction in a simple setting and is a valuable adjunct to our armamentarium of techniques for single-stage bilateral breast reconstruction. PMID:26180736

  12. Compatability of dispersion-strengthened platinum with resistojet propellants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Whalen, Margaret V.; Nathal, Michael V.

    1987-01-01

    Resistojets for the Space Station require long life and multipropellant capability. The choice of available materials to meet these requirements is limited. Dispersion-strengthened platinum was selected. Past results indicated that it should be suffieiently inert in candidate propellant environments and should be capable of operating at moderate temperatures for extended periods. A series of propellant compatibility tests was done with platinum strengthened with either yttria or zirconia. Data presented included the results of 1000-hr tests in CO2, H2, ammonia (NH3), N2, steam, hydrazine (N2H4), and methane (CH4); and 2000-hr tests in H2 and NH3. The platinum samples were tested at 1400 C in CO2, H2, NH3, N2, steam, and N2H4; at 500 C in CH4; and at 800 C in N2H4. The mass-loss results indicated material life, exptrapolated from experimental mass-loss data, in excess of 100 000 hr in all environments except steam and N2H4, where it was greater than or =45000 hr. Generally, on the basis of mass loss, there were no compatibility concerns in any of the environments considered. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the effect of propellants on the material surface and to evaluate material stability.

  13. ASRM propellant and igniter propellant development and process scale-up

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Landers, L. C.; Booth, D. W.; Stanley, C. B.; Ricks, D. W.

    1993-01-01

    A program of formulation and process development for ANB-3652 motor propellant was conducted to validate design concepts and screen critical propellant composition and process parameters. Design experiments resulted in the selection of a less active grade of ferric oxide to provide better burning rate control, the establishment of AP fluidization conditions that minimized the adverse effects of particle attrition, and the selection of a higher mix temperature to improve mechanical properties. It is shown that the propellant can be formulated with AP and aluminum powder from various producers. An extended duration pilot plant run demonstrated stable equipment operation and excellent reproducibility of propellant properties. A similar program of formulation and process optimization culminating in large batch scaleup was conducted for ANB-3672 igniter propellant. The results for both ANB-3652 and ANB 37672 confirmed that their processing characteristics are compatible with full-scale production.

  14. Self-Propelled Micromotors for Cleaning Polluted Water

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    We describe the use of catalytically self-propelled microjets (dubbed micromotors) for degrading organic pollutants in water via the Fenton oxidation process. The tubular micromotors are composed of rolled-up functional nanomembranes consisting of Fe/Pt bilayers. The micromotors contain double functionality within their architecture, i.e., the inner Pt for the self-propulsion and the outer Fe for the in situ generation of ferrous ions boosting the remediation of contaminated water.The degradation of organic pollutants takes place in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a reagent for the Fenton reaction and as main fuel to propel the micromotors. Factors influencing the efficiency of the Fenton oxidation process, including thickness of the Fe layer, pH, and concentration of hydrogen peroxide, are investigated. The ability of these catalytically self-propelled micromotors to improve intermixing in liquids results in the removal of organic pollutants ca. 12 times faster than when the Fenton oxidation process is carried out without catalytically active micromotors. The enhanced reaction–diffusion provided by micromotors has been theoretically modeled. The synergy between the internal and external functionalities of the micromotors, without the need of further functionalization, results into an enhanced degradation of nonbiodegradable and dangerous organic pollutants at small-scale environments and holds considerable promise for the remediation of contaminated water. PMID:24180623

  15. Structural characterization by NMR of the natively unfolded extracellular domain of beta-dystroglycan: toward the identification of the binding epitope for alpha-dystroglycan.

    PubMed

    Bozzi, Manuela; Bianchi, Marzia; Sciandra, Francesca; Paci, Maurizio; Giardina, Bruno; Brancaccio, Andrea; Cicero, Daniel O

    2003-11-25

    Dystroglycan (DG) is an adhesion molecule playing a crucial role for tissue stability during both early embriogenesis and adulthood and is composed by two tightly interacting subunits: alpha-DG, membrane-associated and highly glycosylated, and the transmembrane beta-DG. Recently, by solid-phase binding assays and NMR experiments, we have shown that the C-terminal domain of alpha-DG interacts with a recombinant extracellular fragment of beta-DG (positions 654-750) independently from glycosylation and that the linear binding epitope is located between residues 550 and 565 of alpha-DG. In order to elucidate which moieties of beta-DG are specifically involved in the complex with alpha-DG, the ectodomain has been recombinantly expressed and purified in a labeled ((13)C,(15)N) form and studied by multidimensional NMR. Although it represents a natively unfolded protein domain, we obtained an almost complete backbone assignment. Chemical shift index, (1)H-(15)N heteronuclear single-quantum coherence and nuclear Overhauser effect (HSQC-NOESY) spectra and (3)J(HN,H)(alpha) coupling constant values confirm that this protein is highly disordered, but (1)H-(15)N steady-state NOE experiments indicate that the protein presents two regions of different mobility. The first one, between residues 659 and 722, is characterized by a limited degree of mobility, whereas the C-terminal portion, containing about 30 amino acids, is highly flexible. The binding of beta-DG(654-750) to the C-terminal region of the alpha subunit, alpha-DG(485-620), has been investigated, showing that the region of beta-DG(654-750) between residues 691 and 719 is involved in the interaction.

  16. Effect of beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphism on response to longacting beta2 agonist in asthma (LARGE trial): a genotype-stratified, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

    PubMed

    Wechsler, Michael E; Kunselman, Susan J; Chinchilli, Vernon M; Bleecker, Eugene; Boushey, Homer A; Calhoun, William J; Ameredes, Bill T; Castro, Mario; Craig, Timothy J; Denlinger, Loren; Fahy, John V; Jarjour, Nizar; Kazani, Shamsah; Kim, Sophia; Kraft, Monica; Lazarus, Stephen C; Lemanske, Robert F; Markezich, Amy; Martin, Richard J; Permaul, Perdita; Peters, Stephen P; Ramsdell, Joe; Sorkness, Christine A; Sutherland, E Rand; Szefler, Stanley J; Walter, Michael J; Wasserman, Stephen I; Israel, Elliot

    2009-11-21

    Some studies suggest that patients with asthma who are homozygous for arginine at the 16th amino acid position of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (B16 Arg/Arg) benefit less from treatment with longacting beta2 agonists and inhaled corticosteroids than do those homozygous for glycine (B16 Gly/Gly). We investigated whether there is a genotype-specific response to treatment with a longacting beta2 agonist in combination with inhaled corticosteroid. In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adult patients with moderate asthma were enrolled in pairs matched for forced expiratory volume in 1 s and ethnic origin, according to whether they had the B16 Arg/Arg (n=42) or B16 Gly/Gly (n=45) genotype. Individuals in a matched pair were randomly assigned by computer-generated randomisation sequence to receive inhaled longacting beta2 agonist (salmeterol 50 microg twice a day) or placebo given in a double-blind, crossover design for two 18-week periods. Open-label inhaled corticosteroid (hydrofluoroalkane beclometasone 240 microg twice a day) was given to all participants during the treatment periods. The primary endpoint was morning peak expiratory flow (PEF). Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00200967. After 18 weeks of treatment, mean morning PEF in Arg/Arg participants was 21.4 L/min (95% CI 11.8-31.1) higher when participants were assigned to receive salmeterol than when assigned to receive placebo (p<0.0001). In Gly/Gly participants, morning PEF was 21.5 L/min (11.0-32.1) higher when participants were assigned to receive salmeterol than when assigned to receive placebo (p<0.0001). The improvement in PEF did not differ between genotypes (difference [Arg/Arg-Gly/Gly] -0.1, -14.4 to 14.2; p=0.99). In Gly/Gly participants, methacholine PC20 (20% reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 s; a prespecified secondary outcome) was 2.4 times higher when participants were assigned to

  17. Advances in aluminum powder usage as an energetic material and applications for rocket propellant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sadeghipour, S.; Ghaderian, J.; Wahid, M. A.

    2012-06-01

    Energetic materials have been widely used for military purposes. Continuous research programs are performing in the world for the development of the new materials with higher and improved performance comparing with the available ones in order to fulfill the needs of the military in future. Different sizes of aluminum powders are employed to produce composite rocket propellants with the bases of Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) and Hydroxyl-Terminated-Polybutadiene (HTPB) as oxidizer and binder respectively. This paper concentrates on recent advances in using aluminum as an energetic material and the properties and characteristics pertaining to its combustion. Nano-sized aluminum as one of the most attractable particles in propellants is discussed particularly.

  18. A Convenient Approach to Synthesizing Peptide C-Terminal N-Alkyl Amides

    PubMed Central

    Fang, Wei-Jie; Yakovleva, Tatyana; Aldrich, Jane V.

    2014-01-01

    Peptide C-terminal N-alkyl amides have gained more attention over the past decade due to their biological properties, including improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. However, the synthesis of this type of peptide on solid phase by current available methods can be challenging. Here we report a convenient method to synthesize peptide C-terminal N-alkyl amides using the well-known Fukuyama N-alkylation reaction on a standard resin commonly used for the synthesis of peptide C-terminal primary amides, the PAL-PEG-PS (Peptide Amide Linker-polyethylene glycol-polystyrene) resin. The alkylation and oNBS deprotection were conducted under basic conditions and were therefore compatible with this acid labile resin. The alkylation reaction was very efficient on this resin with a number of different alkyl iodides or bromides, and the synthesis of model enkephalin N-alkyl amide analogs using this method gave consistently high yields and purities, demonstrating the applicability of this methodology. The synthesis of N-alkyl amides was more difficult on a Rink amide resin, especially the coupling of the first amino acid to the N-alkyl amine, resulting in lower yields for loading the first amino acid onto the resin. This method can be widely applied in the synthesis of peptide N-alkyl amides. PMID:22252422

  19. The C- and N-Terminal Residues of Synthetic Heptapeptide Ion Channels Influence Transport Efficacy Through Phospholipid Bilayers

    PubMed Central

    Djedovič, Natasha; Ferdani, Riccardo; Harder, Egan; Pajewska, Jolanta; Pajewski, Robert; Weber, Michelle E.; Schlesinger, Paul H.; Gokel, George W.

    2008-01-01

    The synthetic peptide, R2N-COCH2OCH2CO-Gly-Gly-Gly-Pro-Gly-Gly-Gly-OR’, was shown to be selective for Cl- over K+ when R is n-octadecyl and R’ is benzyl. Nineteen heptapeptides have now been prepared in which the N-terminal and C-terminal residues have been varied. All of the N-terminal residues are dialkyl but the C-terminal chains are esters, 2° amides, or 3° amides. The compounds having varied N-terminal anchors and C-terminal benzyl groups are as follows: 1, R = n-propyl; 2, R = n-hexyl; 3, R = n-octyl; 4, R = n-decyl; 5, R = n-dodecyl; 6, R = n-tetradecyl; 7, R = n-hexadecyl; 8, R = n-octadecyl. Compounds 9-19 have R = n-octadecyl and C-terminal residues as follows: 9, OR’ = OCH2CH3; 10, OR’ = OCH(CH3)2; 11, OR’ = O(CH2)6CH3; 12, OR’ = OCH2-c-C6H11; 13, OR’ = O(CH2)9CH3; 14, OR’ = O (CH2)17CH3; 15, NR’2 = N[(CH2)6CH3]2; 16, NHR’ = NH(CH2)9CH3; 17, NR’2 = N[(CH2)9CH3]2; 18, NHR’ = NH(CH2)17CH3; 19, NR’2 = N[(CH2)17CH3]2. The highest anion transport activities were observed as follows. For the benzyl esters whose N-terminal residues were varied, i.e. 1-8, compound 3 was most active. For the C18 anchored esters 10-14, n-heptyl ester 11 was most active. For the C18 anchored, C-terminal amides 15-19, di-n-decylamide 17 was most active. It was concluded that both the C- and N-terminal anchors were important for channel function in the bilayer but that activity was lost unless only one of the two anchoring groups was dominant. PMID:19633728

  20. Stereochemical course and structure of the products of the enzymic action of endo-1,3-1,4-beta-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase from Bacillus licheniformis.

    PubMed Central

    Malet, C; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Bernabé, M; Brosa, C; Planas, A

    1993-01-01

    The stereochemical course of the reaction catalysed by endo-1,3-1,4-beta-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.73) has been determined by 1H n.m.r. The enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of barley beta-glucan proceeds with overall retention of the anomeric configuration, indicating that the enzyme operates through a double-displacement mechanism. The structures of the final oligosaccharide products, 3-beta-O-cellobiosyl D-glucopyranoside and 3-beta-O-cellotriosyl D-glucopyranoside, have been completely assigned by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. PMID:8280073

  1. Searching Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with GERDA Phase II

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agostini, M.; Bakalyarov, A. M.; Balata, M.; Barabanov, I.; Baudis, L.; Bauer, C.; Bellotti, E.; Belogurov, S.; Bettini, A.; Bezrukov, L.; Bode, T.; Brudanin, V.; Brugnera, R.; Caldwell, A.; Cattadori, C.; Chernogorov, A.; Comellato, T.; D’Andrea, V.; Demidova, E. V.; di Marco, N.; Domula, A.; Doroshkevich, E.; Egorov, V.; Falkenstein, R.; Gangapshev, A.; Garfagnini, A.; Giordano, M.; Gooch, C.; Grabmayr, P.; Gurentsov, V.; Gusev, K.; Hahne, C.; Hakenmüller, J.; Hegai, A.; Heisel, M.; Hemmer, S.; Hiller, R.; Hofmann, W.; Holl, P.; Hult, M.; Inzhechik, L. V.; Ioannucci, L.; Csáthy, J. Janicskó; Jochum, J.; Junker, M.; Kazalov, V.; Kermaidic, Y.; Kihm, T.; Kirpichnikov, I. V.; Kirsch, A.; Kish, A.; Klimenko, A.; Kneißl, R.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Kochetov, O.; Kornoukhov, V. N.; Kuzminov, V. V.; Laubenstein, M.; Lazzaro, A.; Lindner, M.; Lippi, I.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Lubsandorzhiev, B.; Lutter, G.; Macolino, C.; Majorovits, B.; Maneschg, W.; Marissens, G.; Miloradovic, M.; Mingazheva, R.; Misiaszek, M.; Moseev, P.; Nemchenok, I.; Nisi, S.; Panas, K.; Pandola, L.; Pelczar, K.; Pullia, A.; Ransom, C.; Reissfelder, M.; Riboldi, S.; Rumyantseva, N.; Sada, C.; Sala, E.; Salamida, F.; Schmitt, C.; Schneider, B.; Schreiner, J.; Schulz, O.; Schweisshelm, B.; Schwingenheuer, B.; Schönert, S.; Schütz, A.-K.; Seitz, H.; Selivanenko, O.; Shevchik, E.; Shirchenko, M.; Simgen, H.; Smolnikov, A.; Stanco, L.; Vanhoefer, L.; Vasenko, A. A.; Veresnikova, A.; von Sturm, K.; Wagner, V.; Wegmann, A.; Wester, T.; Wiesinger, C.; Wojcik, M.; Yanovich, E.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhukov, S. V.; Zinatulina, D.; Zschocke, A.; Zsigmond, A. J.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

    An observation of neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay would allow to shed light onto the nature of neutrinos. GERDA (GERmanium Detector Array) aims to discover this process in a background-free search using 76Ge. The experiment is located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) in Italy. Bare, isotopically enriched, high purity germanium detectors are operated in liquid argon. GERDA follows a staged approach. In Phase II 35.6 kg of enriched germanium detectors are operated since December 2015. The application of active background rejection methods, such as a liquid argon scintillation light read-out and pulse shape discrimination of germanium detector signals, allows to reduce the background index to the intended level of 10‑3 cts/(keVṡkgṡyr). No evidence for the 0νββ decay has been found in 23.2 kgṡyr of Phase II data, and together with data from Phase I the up-to-date most stringent half-life limit for this process in 76Ge has been established, at a median sensitivity of 5.8ṡ1025yr the 90% C.L. lower limit is 8.0ṡ1025yr.

  2. Truncated presequences of mitochondrial F1-ATPase beta subunit from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia transport CAT and GUS proteins into mitochondria of transgenic tobacco.

    PubMed

    Chaumont, F; Silva Filho, M de C; Thomas, D; Leterme, S; Boutry, M

    1994-02-01

    The mitochondrial F1-ATPase beta subunit (ATPase-beta) of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia is nucleus-encoded as a precursor containing an NH2-terminal extension. By sequencing the mature N. tabacum ATPase-beta, we determined the length of the presequence, viz. 54 residues. To define the essential regions of this presequence, we produced a series of 3' deletions in the sequence coding for the 90 NH2-terminal residues of ATPase-beta. The truncated sequences were fused with the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (cat) and beta-glucuronidase (gus) genes and introduced into tobacco plants. From the observed distribution of CAT and GUS activity in the plant cells, we conclude that the first 23 amino-acid residues of ATPase-beta remain capable of specifically targeting reporter proteins into mitochondria. Immunodetection in transgenic plants and in vitro import experiments with various CAT fusion proteins show that the precursors are processed at the expected cleavage site but also at a cryptic site located in the linker region between the presequence and the first methionine of native CAT.

  3. Advanced propeller research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Groeneweg, John F.; Bober, Lawrence J.

    1987-01-01

    Resent results of aerodynamic and acoustic research on both single and counter-rotation propellers are reviewed. Data and analytical results are presented for three propellers: SR-7A, the single rotation design used in the NASA Propfan Test Assessment (PTA); and F7-A7, the 8+8 counterrotating design used in the proof-of-concept Unducted Fan (UDF) engine. In addition to propeller efficiencies, cruise and takeoff noise, and blade pressure data, off-design phenomena involving formation of leading edge vortices are described. Aerodynamic and acoustic computational results derived from three-dimensional Euler and acoustic radiation codes are presented. Research on unsteady flows, which are particularly important for understanding counterrotation interaction noise, unsteady loading effects on acoustics, and flutter or forced response is described. The first results of three-dimensional unsteady Euler solutions are illustrated for a single rotation propeller at an angle of attack and for a counterrotation propeller. Basic experimental and theoretical results from studies of the unsteady aerodynamics of oscillating cascades are outlined. Finally, advanced concepts involving swirl recovery vanes and ultra bypass ducted propellers are discussed.

  4. Involvement of the N-terminal region in alpha-crystallin-lens membrane recognition

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ifeanyi, F.; Takemoto, L.; Spooner, B. S. (Principal Investigator)

    1991-01-01

    Previous studies have demonstrated that alpha-crystallin binds specifically, in a saturable manner, to lens membrane. To determine the region of the alpha-crystallin molecule that might be involved in this binding, native alpha-crystallin from the bovine lens has been treated by limited digestion with trypsin, to produce alpha-A molecules with an intact C-terminal region, and a nicked N-terminal region. Compared to intact alpha-crystallin, trypsin-treated alpha-crystallin binds less avidly to lens membrane, suggesting that the N-terminal region of the alpha-A molecule may play a key role in the recognition between lens membrane and crystallin.

  5. In-Operando Spatial Imaging of Edge Termination Electric Fields in GaN Vertical p-n Junction Diodes

    DOE PAGES

    Leonard, Francois; Dickerson, J. R.; King, M. P.; ...

    2016-05-03

    Control of electric fields with edge terminations is critical to maximize the performance of high-power electronic devices. We proposed a variety of edge termination designs which makes the optimization of such designs challenging due to many parameters that impact their effectiveness. And while modeling has recently allowed new insight into the detailed workings of edge terminations, the experimental verification of the design effectiveness is usually done through indirect means, such as the impact on breakdown voltages. In this letter, we use scanning photocurrent microscopy to spatially map the electric fields in vertical GaN p-n junction diodes in operando. We alsomore » reveal the complex behavior of seemingly simple edge termination designs, and show how the device breakdown voltage correlates with the electric field behavior. Modeling suggests that an incomplete compensation of the p-type layer in the edge termination creates a bilayer structure that leads to these effects, with variations that significantly impact the breakdown voltage.« less

  6. Releasing N-glycan from peptide N-terminus by N-terminal succinylation assisted enzymatic deglycosylation.

    PubMed

    Weng, Yejing; Sui, Zhigang; Jiang, Hao; Shan, Yichu; Chen, Lingfan; Zhang, Shen; Zhang, Lihua; Zhang, Yukui

    2015-04-22

    Due to the important roles of N-glycoproteins in various biological processes, the global N-glycoproteome analysis has been paid much attention. However, by current strategies for N-glycoproteome profiling, peptides with glycosylated Asn at N-terminus (PGANs), generated by protease digestion, could hardly be identified, due to the poor deglycosylation capacity by enzymes. However, theoretically, PGANs occupy 10% of N-glycopeptides in the typical tryptic digests. Therefore, in this study, we developed a novel strategy to identify PGANs by releasing N-glycans through the N-terminal site-selective succinylation assisted enzymatic deglycosylation. The obtained PGANs information is beneficial to not only achieve the deep coverage analysis of glycoproteomes, but also discover the new biological functions of such modification.

  7. Entropic stochastic resonance of a self-propelled Janus particle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Zhenzhen; Du, Luchun; Guo, Wei; Mei, Dong-Cheng

    2016-10-01

    Entropic stochastic resonance is investigated when a self-propelled Janus particle moves in a double-cavity container. Numerical simulation results indicate the entropic stochastic resonance can survive even if there is no symmetry breaking in any direction. This is the essential distinction between the property of a self-propelled Janus particle and that of a passive Brownian particle, for the symmetry breaking is necessary for the entropic stochastic resonance of a passive Brownian particle. With the rotational noise intensity growing at small fixed noise intensity of translational motion, the signal power amplification increases monotonically towards saturation which also can be regarded as a kind of stochastic resonance effect. Besides, the increase in the natural frequency of the periodic driving depresses the degree of the stochastic resonance, whereas the rise in its amplitude enhances and then suppresses the behavior.

  8. Self-assembly of 3,5-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)pyrazolate anions and ammonium cations of beta-phenylethylamine or homoveratrylamine into hetero-double-stranded helical structures.

    PubMed

    Reviriego, Felipe; Sanz, Ana; Navarro, Pilar; Latorre, Julio; García-España, Enrique; Liu-Gonzalez, Malva

    2009-08-21

    Hydrogen-bonded double-stranded hetero-helices are formed when reacting sodium 3,5-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)pyrazolate with beta-phenethylammonium or homoveratrylammonium chloride, in which one of the strands is defined by the ammonium cations and the other one by the pyrazolate anions.

  9. The Leptospiral Antigen Lp49 is a Two-Domain Protein with Putative Protein Binding Function

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Oliveira Giuseppe,P.; Oliveira Neves, F.; Nascimento, A.

    2008-01-01

    Pathogenic Leptospira is the etiological agent of leptospirosis, a life-threatening disease that affects populations worldwide. Currently available vaccines have limited effectiveness and therapeutic interventions are complicated by the difficulty in making an early diagnosis of leptospirosis. The genome of Leptospira interrogans was recently sequenced and comparative genomic analysis contributed to the identification of surface antigens, potential candidates for development of new vaccines and serodiagnosis. Lp49 is a membrane-associated protein recognized by antibodies present in sera from early and convalescent phases of leptospirosis patients. Its crystal structure was determined by single-wavelength anomalous diffraction using selenomethionine-labelled crystals and refined at 2.0 Angstromsmore » resolution. Lp49 is composed of two domains and belongs to the all-beta-proteins class. The N-terminal domain folds in an immunoglobulin-like beta-sandwich structure, whereas the C-terminal domain presents a seven-bladed beta-propeller fold. Structural analysis of Lp49 indicates putative protein-protein binding sites, suggesting a role in Leptospira-host interaction. This is the first crystal structure of a leptospiral antigen described to date.« less

  10. Large mass bolometers for neutrinoless double beta decay detection: model and last results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pedretti, Marisa; Barucci, Marco; Giuliani, Andrea; Pasca, Edoardo; Risegari, Lara; Olivieri, Emiliano; Ventura, Guglielmo

    2004-01-01

    Milano collaboration has been developing for many years large mass bolometers for particle detection, and in particular for the study of neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te. The active components of the detectors are large mass (340 g and 790 g) TeO2 crystals, while Neutron Transmutation Doped Ge thermistors are used as phonon sensors. These devices work at low temperatures, about 5-10 mK. The mechanical and thermal connections of the detector to the thermal bath are made with PTFE pieces that hold the crystal on copper frames. Gold wires are used as electric connections. We have developed a complete thermal model for the bolometers and "ad hoc" measurements of the thermal parameters involved were performed in the Florence cryogenic laboratory. These studies have permitted to simulate the static and dynamic behaviours of the detectors. A satisfactory agreement between simulated and the experimental response has been obtained as far as the static behaviour is concerned, while the dynamic behaviour is not yet fully understood. These preliminary results however will enable us to design new detector structures in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the reproducibility. Given the good performances of these devices (excellent energy resolutions were obtained, of the order of 2 keV at 911 keV and of 5 keV at 2615 keV), this technique is particularly suitable to detectors for gamma ray spectroscopy. Encouraged by this results, the Milano-Como group has joined a large international collaboration for the realization of CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events), seraching for Dark Matter and neutrinoless Double Beta Decay, a crucial phenomenon for neutrino physics. The Cuoricino detector, a small scale test of CUORE detector, is an array of 62 large mass bolometers like those already described, and it is now in operation in the Gran Sasso undergrand laboratory, Italy). It is the largest array of bolometric detectors ever constructed.

  11. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta1, -beta2 and -beta3 in normal and diseased canine mitral valves.

    PubMed

    Aupperle, H; März, I; Thielebein, J; Schoon, H-A

    2008-01-01

    The pathogenesis of chronic valvular disease (CVD) in dogs remains unclear, but activation and proliferation of valvular stromal cells (VSC) and their transdifferentiation into myofibroblast-like cells has been described. These alterations may be influenced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a cytokine involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation and mesenchymal cell differentiation. The present study investigates immunohistochemically the expression of TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3 and smooth muscle alpha actin (alpha-SMA) in normal canine mitral valves (MVs) (n=10) and in the valves of dogs with mild (n=7), moderate (n=14) and severe (n=9) CVD. In normal mitral valves there was no expression of alpha-SMA but VSC displayed variable expression of TGF-beta1 (10% of VSC labelled), TGF-beta2 (1-5% labelled) and TGF-beta3 (50% labelled). In mild CVD the affected atrialis contain activated and proliferating alpha-SMA-positive VSC, which strongly expressed TGF-beta1 and -beta3, but only 10% of these cells expressed TGF-beta2. In unaffected areas of the leaflet there was selective increase in expression of TGF-beta1 and -beta3. In advanced CVD the activated subendothelial VSC strongly expressed alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1 and -beta3. Inactive VSC within the centre of the nodules had much less labelling for TGF-beta1 and -beta3. TGF-beta1 labelling was strong within the ECM. These data suggest that TGF-beta plays a role in the pathogenesis of CVD by inducing myofibroblast-like differentiation of VSC and ECM secretion. Changed haemodynamic forces and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may in turn regulate TGF-beta expression.

  12. Perforator-based propeller flaps for leg reconstruction in pediatric patients.

    PubMed

    Özalp, Burhan; Aydınol, Mustafa

    2016-10-01

    Perforator-based propeller flaps provide adequate soft tissue coverage for leg reconstruction. The aim of this study was to assess the versatility and reliability of the use of propeller flaps for leg reconstruction in pediatric patients. Seven male pediatric patients ranging in age from 2 to 13 years with a mean age of 6.7 underwent perforator-based propeller flap surgery over a four-year period. The defects resulted from burn injuries (n = 4) and traffic accidents (n = 3). The injuries were located on the ankles of four patients and on the knee, anterior lower tibia, and foot dorsum of the other three patients, respectively. The flap sizes ranged from 5 × 3 to 10 × 6 cm with a mean flap size of 7.6 × 4.3 cm. Flap harvesting time ranged from 38 to 56 m with a mean of 46 m. The rotation degree range of the flaps was from 90° to 180°. The propeller flaps were based on the posterior tibial artery (n = 4), anterior tibial artery (n = 2), and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (n = 1). All flaps survived completely without surgical complication; however, one patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome two days post-surgery and died within four days. Perforator-based propeller flap reconstruction is a safe, reliable, and versatile method for lower extremities in pediatric patients; however, it requires meticulous surgical dissection and extreme patience during the surgical procedure. Copyright © 2016 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Molecular architecture of human prion protein amyloid: a parallel, in-register beta-structure.

    PubMed

    Cobb, Nathan J; Sönnichsen, Frank D; McHaourab, Hassane; Surewicz, Witold K

    2007-11-27

    Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) represent a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with conformational conversion of the normally monomeric and alpha-helical prion protein, PrP(C), to the beta-sheet-rich PrP(Sc). This latter conformer is believed to constitute the main component of the infectious TSE agent. In contrast to high-resolution data for the PrP(C) monomer, structures of the pathogenic PrP(Sc) or synthetic PrP(Sc)-like aggregates remain elusive. Here we have used site-directed spin labeling and EPR spectroscopy to probe the molecular architecture of the recombinant PrP amyloid, a misfolded form recently reported to induce transmissible disease in mice overexpressing an N-terminally truncated form of PrP(C). Our data show that, in contrast to earlier, largely theoretical models, the con formational conversion of PrP(C) involves major refolding of the C-terminal alpha-helical region. The core of the amyloid maps to C-terminal residues from approximately 160-220, and these residues form single-molecule layers that stack on top of one another with parallel, in-register alignment of beta-strands. This structural insight has important implications for understanding the molecular basis of prion propagation, as well as hereditary prion diseases, most of which are associated with point mutations in the region found to undergo a refolding to beta-structure.

  14. 14 CFR 23.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational... tests, that the propeller is capable of continuous safe operation. (h) All engine cowling, access doors... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Propellers. 23.905 Section 23.905...

  15. 14 CFR 23.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational... tests, that the propeller is capable of continuous safe operation. (h) All engine cowling, access doors... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Propellers. 23.905 Section 23.905...

  16. 14 CFR 23.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational... tests, that the propeller is capable of continuous safe operation. (h) All engine cowling, access doors... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Propellers. 23.905 Section 23.905...

  17. 14 CFR 23.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational... tests, that the propeller is capable of continuous safe operation. (h) All engine cowling, access doors... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Propellers. 23.905 Section 23.905...

  18. 14 CFR 23.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational... tests, that the propeller is capable of continuous safe operation. (h) All engine cowling, access doors... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Propellers. 23.905 Section 23.905...

  19. LES of propeller crashback

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Praveen; Mahesh, Krishnan

    2014-11-01

    Crashback is an operating condition to quickly stop a propelled vehicle, where the propeller is rotated in the reverse direction to yield a negative thrust. In crashback, the freestream interacts with the strong reverse flow from the propeller leading to massive flow separation and highly unsteady loads. We have used Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) in recent years to accurately simulate the flowfield in crashback around a stand-alone open propeller, hull-attached (posterior alone) open propeller and a ducted propeller with stator blades. This talk will discuss our work towards LES of crashback inclusive of the entire hull. The results will be compared to available experimental data, and the flow physics will be discussed. This work is supported by the Office of Naval Research.

  20. Quantifying Mold Biomass on Gypsum Board: Comparison of Ergosterol and Beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase as Mold Biomass Parameters

    PubMed Central

    Reeslev, M.; Miller, M.; Nielsen, K. F.

    2003-01-01

    Two mold species, Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor, were inoculated onto agar overlaid with cellophane, allowing determination of a direct measurement of biomass density by weighing. Biomass density, ergosterol content, and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (3.2.1.52) activity were monitored from inoculation to stationary phase. Regression analysis showed a good linear correlation to biomass density for both ergosterol content and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity. The same two mold species were inoculated onto wallpapered gypsum board, from which a direct biomass measurement was not possible. Growth was measured as an increase in ergosterol content and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity. A good linear correlation was seen between ergosterol content and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity. From the experiments performed on agar medium, conversion factors (CFs) for estimating biomass density from ergosterol content and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity were determined. The CFs were used to estimate the biomass density of the molds grown on gypsum board. The biomass densities estimated from ergosterol content and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity data gave similar results, showing significantly slower growth and lower stationary-phase biomass density on gypsum board than on agar. PMID:12839773

  1. Using molecular recognition of beta-cyclodextrin to determine molecular weights of low-molecular-weight explosives by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Min; Shi, Zhen; Bai, Yinjuan; Gao, Yong; Hu, Rongzu; Zhao, Fenqi

    2006-02-01

    This study presents a novel method for determining the molecular weights of low molecular weight (MW) energetic compounds through their complexes of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in a mass range of 500 to 1700 Da, avoiding matrix interference. The MWs of one composite explosive composed of 2,6-DNT, TNT, and RDX, one propellant with unknown components, and 14 single-compound explosives (RDX, HMX, 3,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, 2,5-DNT, 2,4,6-TNT, TNAZ, DNI, BTTN, NG, TO, NTO, NP, and 662) were measured. The molecular recognition and inclusion behavior of beta-CD to energetic materials (EMs) were investigated. The results show that (1) the established method is sensitive, simple, accurate, and suitable for determining the MWs of low-MW single-compound explosives and energetic components in composite explosives and propellants; and (2) beta-CD has good inclusion and modular recognition abilities to the above EMs.

  2. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in acute Kawasaki disease correlates with coronary artery involvement.

    PubMed

    Adjagba, Philippe M; Desjardins, Laurent; Fournier, Anne; Spigelblatt, Linda; Montigny, Martine; Dahdah, Nagib

    2015-10-01

    We have lately documented the importance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in aiding the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. We sought to investigate the potential value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide pertaining to the prediction of coronary artery dilatation (Z-score>2.5) and/or of resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. We hypothesised that increased serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level correlates with increased coronary artery dilatation and/or resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin. We carried out a prospective study involving newly diagnosed patients treated with 2 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin within 5-10 days of onset of fever. Echocardiography was performed in all patients at onset, then weekly for 3 weeks, then at month 2, and month 3. Coronary arteries were measured at each visit, and coronary artery Z-score was calculated. All the patients had N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide serum level measured at onset, and the Z-score calculated. There were 109 patients enrolled at 6.58±2.82 days of fever, age 3.79±2.92 years. High N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level was associated with coronary artery dilatation at onset in 22.2 versus 5.6% for normal N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (odds ratio 4.8 [95% confidence interval 1.05-22.4]; p=0.031). This was predictive of cumulative coronary artery dilatation for the first 3 months (p=0.04-0.02), but not during convalescence at 2-3 months (odds ratio 1.28 [95% confidence interval 0.23-7.3]; p=non-significant). Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels did not predict intravenous immunoglobulin resistance, 15.3 versus 13.5% (p=1). Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level correlates with acute coronary artery dilatation in treated Kawasaki disease, but not with intravenous immunoglobulin resistance.

  3. 75 FR 7934 - Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems 1A103/TCM Series Propellers

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-23

    ... with cracks that do not meet acceptable limits, and rework of propellers with cracks that meet..., replacement of propellers with cracks that do not meet acceptable limits, and rework of propellers with cracks... propeller hub, removal from service of propellers with cracks that do not meet acceptable limits, and rework...

  4. Purification and properties of a beta-1,3-glucanase from Chaetomium sp. that is involved in mycoparasitism.

    PubMed

    Sun, Hui; Yang, Jinkui; Lin, Chao; Huang, Xiaowei; Xing, Ruihuan; Zhang, Ke-Qin

    2006-01-01

    A beta-1,3-glucanase was detected, using laminarin as substrate, in the culture broth of Chaetomium sp. Major activity was associated with a 70 kDa protein band visualized on a polyacrylamide gel. beta-1,3-Glucanase was purified by a one-step, native gel purification procedure. Optimal activity was observed at pH 6.0 and 30 degrees C (over 30 min). It could degrade cell walls of plant pathogens including Rhizoctonia solani, Gibberella zeae, Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Phoma sp. The N-terminal amino acid residues of the purified beta-1,3-glucanase are PYQLQTP, which do not exhibit homology to other fungal beta-1,3-glucanases suggesting it may be a novel enzyme.

  5. Requirement for the SnoN oncoprotein in transforming growth factor beta-induced oncogenic transformation of fibroblast cells.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Qingwei; Pearson-White, Sonia; Luo, Kunxin

    2005-12-01

    Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) was originally identified by virtue of its ability to induce transformation of the AKR-2B and NRK fibroblasts but was later found to be a potent inhibitor of the growth of epithelial, endothelial, and lymphoid cells. Although the growth-inhibitory pathway of TGF-beta mediated by the Smad proteins is well studied, the signaling pathway leading to the transforming activity of TGF-beta in fibroblasts is not well understood. Here we show that SnoN, a member of the Ski family of oncoproteins, is required for TGF-beta-induced proliferation and transformation of AKR-2B and NRK fibroblasts. TGF-beta induces upregulation of snoN expression in both epithelial cells and fibroblasts through a common Smad-dependent mechanism. However, a strong and prolonged activation of snoN transcription that lasts for 8 to 24 h is detected only in these two fibroblast lines. This prolonged induction is mediated by Smad2 and appears to play an important role in the transformation of both AKR-2B and NRK cells. Reduction of snoN expression by small interfering RNA or shortening of the duration of snoN induction by a pharmacological inhibitor impaired TGF-beta-induced anchorage-independent growth of AKR-2B cells. Interestingly, Smad2 and Smad3 play opposite roles in regulating snoN expression in both fibroblasts and epithelial cells. The Smad2/Smad4 complex activates snoN transcription by direct binding to the TGF-beta-responsive element in the snoN promoter, while the Smad3/Smad4 complex inhibits it through a novel Smad inhibitory site. Mutations of Smad4 that render it defective in heterodimerization with Smad3, which are found in many human cancers, convert the activity of Smad3 on the snoN promoter from inhibitory to stimulatory, resulting in increased snoN expression in cancer cells. Thus, we demonstrate a novel role of SnoN in the transforming activity of TGF-beta in fibroblasts and also uncovered a mechanism for the elevated SnoN expression in

  6. Neutrophil chemotaxis in response to TGF-beta isoforms (TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 3) is mediated by fibronectin.

    PubMed

    Parekh, T; Saxena, B; Reibman, J; Cronstein, B N; Gold, L I

    1994-03-01

    TGF-beta isoforms regulate numerous cellular functions including cell growth and differentiation, the cellular synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin (Fn), and the immune response. We have previously shown that TGF-beta 1 is the most potent chemoattractant described for human peripheral blood neutrophils (PMNs), suggesting that TGF-beta s may play a role in the recruitment of PMNs during the initial phase of the inflammatory response. In our current studies, we demonstrate that the maximal chemotactic response was attained near 40 fM for all mammalian TGF-beta isoforms. However, there was a statistically significant difference in migratory distance of the PMNs: TGF-beta 2 (556 microM) > TGF-beta 3 (463 microM) > TGF-beta 1 (380 microM) (beta 2: beta 3, p < or = 0.010; beta 3: beta 1, p < or = 0.04; beta 2: beta 1, p < or = 0.0012). A mAb to the cell binding domain (CBD) of Fn inhibited the chemotactic response to TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 3 by 63% and to TGF-beta 2 by 70%, whereas the response to FMLP, a classic chemoattractant, was only inhibited by 18%. In contrast, a mAb to a C-terminal epitope of Fn did not retard migration (< 1.5%). The Arg-gly-Asp-ser tetrapeptide inhibited chemotaxis by approximately the same extent as the anti-CBD (52 to 83%). Furthermore, a mAb against the VLA-5 integrin (VLA-5; Fn receptor) also inhibited TGF-beta-induced chemotaxis. These results indicate that chemotaxis of PMNs in response to TGF-beta isoforms is mediated by the interaction of the Arg-gly-Asp-ser sequence in the CBD of Fn with an integrin on the PMN cell surface, primarily the VLA-5 integrin. TGF-beta isoforms also elicited the release of cellular Fn from PMNs; we observed a 2.3-fold increase in Fn (389 to 401 ng/ml) in the supernatants of TGF-beta-stimulated PMNs compared with unstimulated cells (173.6 ng/ml). The concentration of TGF-beta required to cause maximal release of Fn from PMNs (4000 fM) is a concentration at which TGF-beta

  7. Theoretical mean-field and experimental occupation probabilities in the double-beta decay system {sup 76}Ge to {sup 76}Se

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Moreno, O.; Moya de Guerra, E.; Sarriguren, P.

    2010-04-15

    Usual Woods-Saxon single-particle levels with BCS pairing are not able to reproduce the experimental occupation probabilities of the proton and neutron levels 1p{sub 3/2}, 1p{sub 1/2}, 0f{sub 5/2}, and 0g{sub 9/2} in the double-beta decay system {sup 76}Ge to {sup 76}Se. Shifting down the 0g{sub 9/2} level by hand can explain the data, but it is not satisfactory. Here it is shown that a self-consistent Hartree-Fock+BCS approach with experimental deformations for {sup 76}Ge and {sup 76}Se may decisively improve the agreement with the recent data on occupation probabilities by J. P. Schiffer et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 112501 (2008)]more » and B. P. Kay et al. [Phys. Rev. C 79, 021301(R) (2009)]. Best agreement with available data on {sup 76}Ge and {sup 76}Se, as well as on neighbor isotopes, is obtained when the spin-orbit strength for neutrons is allowed to be larger than that for protons. The two-neutrino double-beta decay matrix element is also shown to agree with the data.« less

  8. Inhibition of estrogen-responsive gene activation by the retinoid X receptor beta: evidence for multiple inhibitory pathways.

    PubMed

    Segars, J H; Marks, M S; Hirschfeld, S; Driggers, P H; Martinez, E; Grippo, J F; Brown, M; Wahli, W; Ozato, K

    1993-04-01

    The retinoid X receptor beta (RXR beta; H-2RIIBP) forms heterodimers with various nuclear hormone receptors and binds multiple hormone response elements, including the estrogen response element (ERE). In this report, we show that endogenous RXR beta contributes to ERE binding activity in nuclear extracts of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. To define a possible regulatory role of RXR beta regarding estrogen-responsive transcription in breast cancer cells, RXR beta and a reporter gene driven by the vitellogenin A2 ERE were transfected into estrogen-treated MCF-7 cells. RXR beta inhibited ERE-driven reporter activity in a dose-dependent and element-specific fashion. This inhibition occurred in the absence of the RXR ligand 9-cis retinoic acid. The RXR beta-induced inhibition was specific for estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated ERE activation because inhibition was observed in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells only following transfection of the estrogen-activated ER. No inhibition of the basal reporter activity was observed. The inhibition was not caused by simple competition of RXR beta with the ER for ERE binding, since deletion mutants retaining DNA binding activity but lacking the N-terminal or C-terminal domain failed to inhibit reporter activity. In addition, cross-linking studies indicated the presence of an auxiliary nuclear factor present in MCF-7 cells that contributed to RXR beta binding of the ERE. Studies using known heterodimerization partners of RXR beta confirmed that RXR beta/triiodothyronine receptor alpha heterodimers avidly bind the ERE but revealed the existence of another triiodothyronine-independent pathway of ERE inhibition. These results indicate that estrogen-responsive genes may be negatively regulated by RXR beta through two distinct pathways.

  9. Synthesis and evaluation of N-alkyl-beta-D-glucosylamines on the growth of two wood fungi, Coriolus versicolor and Poria placenta.

    PubMed

    Muhizi, Théoneste; Coma, Véronique; Grelier, Stéphane

    2008-09-22

    Various glucosylamines were synthesized from glucose and different alkyl amine compounds. These amino compounds are beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (GPA), N-ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (EtGPA), N-butyl-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (BuGPA), N-hexyl-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (HeGPA), N-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (OcGPA), N-dodecyl-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (DoGPA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (HEtGPA) and N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (DHEtGPA). They were tested for their antifungal activity against the growth of Coriolus versicolor and Poria placenta. An improvement of the antifungal activity with the increase of alkyl chain length was observed. DoGPA exhibited the best antifungal activity against both strains. It completely inhibited the fungal growth at 0.01x10(-3)molmL(-1) and 0.0075x10(-3)molmL(-1) for C. versicolor and P. placenta, respectively. For other glucosylamines higher concentrations were needed for complete inhibition of fungi.

  10. c-jun-N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-10-01

    AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-12-1-0431 TITLE: “c-jun-N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ” PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR...TITLE AND SUBTITLE “c-jun-N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis” 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH

  11. The characteristics of the (alpha V371C)3(beta R337C)3 gamma double mutant subcomplex of the TF1-ATPase indicate that the catalytic site at the alpha TP-beta TP interface with bound MgADP in crystal structures of MF1 represents a catalytic site containing inhibitory MgADP.

    PubMed

    Bandyopadhyay, Sanjay; Muneyuki, Eiro; Allison, William S

    2005-02-22

    In the MF(1) crystal structure with the MgADP-fluoroaluminate complex bound to two catalytic sites [Menz, R. I., Walker, J. E., and Leslie, A. G. W. (2001) Cell 106, 331-341], the guanidinium of betaR(337) is within 2.9 A of the alpha-oxygen of alphaS(370) and 3.7 A of a methyl group of alphaV(371) at the alpha(E)-beta(HC) interface. To examine the functional role of this contact, the (alphaV(371)C)(3)(betaR(337)C)(3)gamma subcomplex of the TF(1)-ATPase was prepared and characterized. Steady state ATPase activity of the reduced double-mutant is 30% of that of the wild type. Inactivation of the double mutant containing empty catalytic sites or MgADP bound to one catalytic site with CuCl(2) cross-linked two alpha-beta pairs, whereas a single alpha-beta pair cross-linked when at least two catalytic sites contained MgADP. The reduced double mutant hydrolyzed substoichiometric ATP 100-fold more rapidly than the enzyme containing two cross-linked alpha-beta pairs. Addition of AlCl(3) and NaF to the reduced double mutant after incubation with stoichiometric MgADP or 200 microM MgADP irreversibly inactivated the steady state ATPase activity with rate constants of 1.5 x10(-2) and 4.1 x 10(-2) min(-1), respectively. In contrast, addition of AlCl(3) and NaF to the cross-linked enzyme after incubation with stoichiometric or 200 microM MgADP irreversibly inactivated ATPase activity with a common rate constant of approximately 10(-4) min(-1). Correlation of these results with crystal structures of MF(1) suggests that the catalytic site at the alpha(TP)-beta(TP) interface is loaded first upon addition of nucleotides to nucleotide-depleted F(1)-ATPases and that the catalytic site at the alpha(TP)-beta(TP) interface with bound MgADP in crystal structures represents a catalytic site containing inhibitory MgADP.

  12. Nitramine smokeless propellant research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cohen, N. S.; Strand, L. P.

    1977-01-01

    A transient ballistics and combustion model is derived to represent the closed vessel experiment that is widely used to characterize propellants. A computer program is developed to solve the time-dependent equations, and is applied to explain aspects of closed vessel behavior. In the case of nitramine propellants the cratering of the burning surface associated with combustion above break-point pressures augments the effective burning rate as deduced from the closed vessel experiment. Low pressure combustion is significantly affected by the ignition process and, in the case of nitramine propellants, by the developing and changing surface structure. Thus, burning rates deduced from the closed vessel experiment may or may not agree with those measured in the equilibrium strand burner. Series of T burner experiments are performed to compare the combustion instability characteristics of nitramine (HMX) containing propellants and ammonium perchlorate (AP)propellants. Although ash produced by more fuel rich propellants could have provided mechanical suppression, results from clean-burning propellants permit the conclusion that HMX reduces the acoustic driving.

  13. Microgravity liquid propellant management

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hung, R. J.

    1990-01-01

    The requirement to settle or to position liquid fluid over the outlet end of a spacecraft propellant tank prior to main engine restart, poses a microgravity fluid behavior problem. Resettlement or reorientation of liquid propellant can be accomplished by providing optimal acceleration to the spacecraft such that the propellant is reoriented over the tank outlet without any vapor entrainment, any excessive geysering, or any other undersirable fluid motion for the space fluid management under microgravity environment. The most efficient technique is studied for propellant resettling through the minimization of propellant usage and weight penalties. Both full scale and subscale liquid propellant tank of Space Transfer Vehicle were used to simulate flow profiles for liquid hydrogen reorientation over the tank outlet. In subscale simulation, both constant and impulsive resettling acceleration were used to simulate the liquid flow reorientation. Comparisons between the constant reverse gravity acceleration and impulsive reverse gravity acceleration to be used for activation of propellant resettlement shows that impulsive reverse gravity thrust is superior to constant reverse gravity thrust.

  14. Portable propellant cutting assembly, and method of cutting propellant with assembly

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sharp, Roger A. (Inventor); Hoskins, Shawn W. (Inventor); Payne, Brett D. (Inventor)

    2002-01-01

    A propellant cutting assembly and method of using the assembly to cut samples of solid propellant in a repeatable and consistent manner is disclosed. The cutting assembly utilizes two parallel extension beams which are shorter than the diameter of a central bore of an annular solid propellant grain and can be loaded into the central bore. The assembly is equipped with retaining heads at its respective ends and an adjustment mechanism to position and wedge the assembly within the central bore. One end of the assembly is equipped with a cutting blade apparatus which can be extended beyond the end of the extension beams to cut into the solid propellant.

  15. Development of Static Balance Measurement and Correction Compound Platform for Single Blade of Controllable Pitch Propeller

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chao, Zhang; Shijie, Su; Yilin, Yang; Guofu, Wang; Chao, Wang

    2017-11-01

    Aiming at the static balance of the controllable pitch propeller (CPP), a high efficiency static balance method based on the double-layer structure of the measuring table and gantry robot is adopted to realize the integration of torque measurement and corrected polish for controllable pitch propeller blade. The control system was developed by Microsoft Visual Studio 2015, and a composite platform prototype was developed. Through this prototype, conduct an experiment on the complete process of torque measurement and corrected polish based on a 300kg class controllable pitch propeller blade. The results show that the composite platform can correct the static balance of blade with a correct, efficient and labor-saving operation, and can replace the traditional method on static balance of the blade.

  16. Effects of beta-carotene fortified synbiotic food on metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A double-blind randomized cross-over controlled clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Asemi, Zatollah; Alizadeh, Sabihe-Alsadat; Ahmad, Khorshidi; Goli, Mohammad; Esmaillzadeh, Ahmad

    2016-08-01

    The aim of the present study was to determine the beneficial effects of beta-carotene fortified synbiotic food intake on metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial was conducted among 51 patients with T2DM. Individuals were randomly assigned to take either a beta-carotene fortified synbiotic (n = 51) or control food (n = 51) for 6 weeks. The beta-carotene fortified synbiotic was containing Lactobacillus sporogenes (1 × 10(7) CFU), 0.1 g inulin and 0.05 g beta-carotene. Control food (the same substance without probiotic, inulin and beta-carotene) was packed in identical 9-g packages. Patients were requested to use the beta-carotene fortified synbiotic and control foods three times a day. Beta-carotene fortified synbiotic food consumption resulted in a significant decrease in insulin (-1.00 ± 7.90 vs. +3.68 ± 6.91 μIU/mL, P = 0.002), HOMA-IR (-0.73 ± 3.96 vs. +1.82 ± vbnm4.09, P = 0.002), HOMA-B (-0.52 ± 19.75 vs. +8.71 ± 17.15, P = 0.01), triglycerides (-2.86 ± 49.53 vs. +20.14 ± 50.10 mg/dL, P = 0.02), VLDL-cholesterol levels (-0.57 ± 9.90 vs. +4.03 ± 10.02 mg/dL, P = 0.02) and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (-0.01 ± 1.08 vs. +0.64 ± 0.81, P = 0.001) compared to the control food. In addition, beta-carotene fortified synbiotic food consumption led to elevated plasma nitric oxide (NO) (+6.83 ± 16.14 vs. -3.76 ± 16.47 μmol/L, P = 0.001) and glutathione (GSH) (+36.58 ± 296.71 vs. -92.04 ± 243.05 μmol/L, P = 0.01). Beta-carotene fortified synbiotic food intake in patients with T2DM for 6 weeks had favorable effects on insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio, NO and GSH levels. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

  17. Average and recommended half-life values for two neutrino double beta decay: Upgrade-2013

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Barabash, A. S.

    2013-12-30

    All existing positive results on two neutrino double beta decay in different nuclei were analyzed. Using the procedure recommended by the Particle Data Group, weighted average values for half-lives of {sup 48}Ca, {sup 76}Ge, {sup 82}Se, {sup 96}Zr, {sup 100}Mo, {sup 100}Mo−{sup 100}Ru (0{sub 1}{sup +}), {sup 116}Cd, {sup 130}Te, {sup 136}Xe, {sup 150}Nd, {sup 150}Nd−{sup 150}Sm (0{sub 1}{sup +}) and {sup 238}U were obtained. Existing geochemical data were analyzed and recommended values for half-lives of {sup 128}Te and {sup 130}Ba are proposed. I recommend the use of these results as the most currently reliable values for half-lives.

  18. Counter-rotating type tidal stream power unit boarded on pillar (performances and flow conditions of tandem propellers)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Usui, Yuta; Kanemoto, Toshiaki; Hiraki, Koju

    2013-12-01

    The authors have invented the unique counter-rotating type tidal stream power unit composed of the tandem propellers and the double rotational armature type peculiar generator without the traditional stator. The front and the rear propellers counter-drive the inner and the outer armatures of the peculiar generator, respectively. The unit has the fruitful advantages that not only the output is sufficiently higher without supplementary equipment such as a gearbox, but also the rotational moment hardly act on the pillar because the rotational torque of both propellers/armatures are counter-balanced in the unit. This paper discusses experimentally the performances of the power unit and the effects of the propeller rotation on the sea surface. The axial force acting on the pillar increases naturally with the increase of not only the stream velocity but also the drag of the tandem propellers. Besides, the force vertical to the stream also acts on the pillar, which is induced from the Karman vortex street and the dominant frequencies appear owing to the front and the rear propeller rotations. The propeller rotating in close to the sea surface brings the abnormal wave and the amplitude increases as the stream velocity is faster and/or the drag is stronger.

  19. Cloning and characterization of a DNA polymerase beta gene from Trypanosoma cruzi.

    PubMed

    Venegas, Juan A; Aslund, Lena; Solari, Aldo

    2009-06-01

    A gene coding for a DNA polymerase beta from the Trypanosoma cruzi Miranda clone, belonging to the TcI lineage, was cloned (Miranda Tcpol beta), using the information from eight peptides of the T. cruzi beta-like DNA polymerase purified previously. The gene encodes for a protein of 403 amino acids which is very similar to the two T. cruzi CL Brener (TcIIe lineage) sequences published, but has three different residues in highly conserved segments. At the amino acid level, the identity of TcI-pol beta with mitochondrial pol beta and pol beta-PAK from other trypanosomatids was between 68-80% and 22-30%, respectively. Miranda Tc-pol beta protein has an N-terminal sequence similar to that described in the mitochondrial Crithidia fasciculata pol beta, which suggests that the TcI-pol beta plays a role in the organelle. Northern and Western analyses showed that this T. cruzi gene is highly expressed both in proliferative and non-proliferative developmental forms. These results suggest that, in addition to replication of kDNA in proliferative cells, this enzyme may have another function in non-proliferative cells, such as DNA repair role similar to that which has extensively been described in a vast spectrum of eukaryotic cells.

  20. Expression of beta-expansins is correlated with internodal elongation in deepwater rice.

    PubMed

    Lee, Y; Kende, H

    2001-10-01

    Fourteen putative rice (Oryza sativa) beta-expansin genes, Os-EXPB1 through Os-EXPB14, were identified in the expressed sequence tag and genomic databases. The DNA and deduced amino acid sequences are highly conserved in all 14 beta-expansins. They have a series of conserved C (cysteine) residues in the N-terminal half of the protein, an HFD (histidine-phenylalanine-aspartate) motif in the central region, and a series of W (tryptophan) residues near the carboxyl terminus. Five beta-expansin genes are expressed in deepwater rice internodes, with especially high transcript levels in the growing region. Expression of four beta-expansin genes in the internode was induced by treatment with gibberellin and by wounding. The wound response resulted from excising stem sections or from piercing pinholes into the stem of intact plants. The level of wound-induced beta-expansin transcripts declined rapidly 5 h after cutting of stem sections. We conclude that the expression of beta-expansin genes is correlated with rapid elongation of deepwater rice internodes, it is induced by gibberellin and wounding, and wound-induced beta-expansin mRNA appears to turn over rapidly.

  1. The Bumper Boats Effect: Effect of Inertia on Self Propelled Active Particles Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dai, Chengyu; Bruss, Isaac; Glotzer, Sharon

    Active matter has been well studied using the standard Brownian dynamics model, which assumes that the self-propelled particles have no inertia. However, many examples of active systems, such as sub-millimeter bacteria and colloids, have non-negligible inertia. Using particle-based Langevin Dynamics simulation with HOOMD-blue, we study the role of particle inertia on the collective emergent behavior of self-propelled particles. We find that inertia hinders motility-induced phase separation. This is because the effective speed of particles is reduced due to particle-particle collisions-\\x9Dmuch like bumper boats, which take time to reach terminal velocity after a crash. We are able to fully account for this effect by tracking a particle's average rather than terminal velocity, allowing us to extend the standard Brownian dynamics model to account for the effects of momentum. This study aims to inform experimental systems where the inertia of the active particles is non-negligible. We acknowledge the funding support from the Center for Bio-Inspired Energy Science (CBES), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences under Award # DE-SC0000989.

  2. The large enriched germanium experiment for neutrinoless double beta decay (LEGEND)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abgrall, N.; Abramov, A.; Abrosimov, N.; Abt, I.; Agostini, M.; Agartioglu, M.; Ajjaq, A.; Alvis, S. I.; Avignone, F. T.; Bai, X.; Balata, M.; Barabanov, I.; Barabash, A. S.; Barton, P. J.; Baudis, L.; Bezrukov, L.; Bode, T.; Bolozdynya, A.; Borowicz, D.; Boston, A.; Boston, H.; Boyd, S. T. P.; Breier, R.; Brudanin, V.; Brugnera, R.; Busch, M.; Buuck, M.; Caldwell, A.; Caldwell, T. S.; Camellato, T.; Carpenter, M.; Cattadori, C.; Cederkäll, J.; Chan, Y.-D.; Chen, S.; Chernogorov, A.; Christofferson, C. D.; Chu, P.-H.; Cooper, R. J.; Cuesta, C.; Demidova, E. V.; Deng, Z.; Deniz, M.; Detwiler, J. A.; Di Marco, N.; Domula, A.; Du, Q.; Efremenko, Yu.; Egorov, V.; Elliott, S. R.; Fields, D.; Fischer, F.; Galindo-Uribarri, A.; Gangapshev, A.; Garfagnini, A.; Gilliss, T.; Giordano, M.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Gold, M.; Golubev, P.; Gooch, C.; Grabmayr, P.; Green, M. P.; Gruszko, J.; Guinn, I. S.; Guiseppe, V. E.; Gurentsov, V.; Gurov, Y.; Gusev, K.; Hakenmüeller, J.; Harkness-Brennan, L.; Harvey, Z. R.; Haufe, C. R.; Hauertmann, L.; Heglund, D.; Hehn, L.; Heinz, A.; Hiller, R.; Hinton, J.; Hodak, R.; Hofmann, W.; Howard, S.; Howe, M. A.; Hult, M.; Inzhechik, L. V.; Csáthy, J. Janicskó; Janssens, R.; Ješkovský, M.; Jochum, J.; Johansson, H. T.; Judson, D.; Junker, M.; Kaizer, J.; Kang, K.; Kazalov, V.; Kermadic, Y.; Kiessling, F.; Kirsch, A.; Kish, A.; Klimenko, A.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Kochetov, O.; Konovalov, S. I.; Kontul, I.; Kornoukhov, V. N.; Kraetzschmar, T.; Kröninger, K.; Kumar, A.; Kuzminov, V. V.; Lang, K.; Laubenstein, M.; Lazzaro, A.; Li, Y. L.; Li, Y.-Y.; Li, H. B.; Lin, S. T.; Lindner, M.; Lippi, I.; Liu, S. K.; Liu, X.; Liu, J.; Loomba, D.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Lubsandorzhiev, B.; Lutter, G.; Ma, H.; Majorovits, B.; Mamedov, F.; Martin, R. D.; Massarczyk, R.; Matthews, J. A. J.; McFadden, N.; Mei, D.-M.; Mei, H.; Meijer, S. J.; Mengoni, D.; Mertens, S.; Miller, W.; Miloradovic, M.; Mingazheva, R.; Misiaszek, M.; Moseev, P.; Myslik, J.; Nemchenok, I.; Nilsson, T.; Nolan, P.; O'Shaughnessy, C.; Othman, G.; Panas, K.; Pandola, L.; Papp, L.; Pelczar, K.; Peterson, D.; Pettus, W.; Poon, A. W. P.; Povinec, P. P.; Pullia, A.; Quintana, X. C.; Radford, D. C.; Rager, J.; Ransom, C.; Recchia, F.; Reine, A. L.; Riboldi, S.; Rielage, K.; Rozov, S.; Rouf, N. W.; Rukhadze, E.; Rumyantseva, N.; Saakyan, R.; Sala, E.; Salamida, F.; Sandukovsky, V.; Savard, G.; Schönert, S.; Schütz, A.-K.; Schulz, O.; Schuster, M.; Schwingenheuer, B.; Selivanenko, O.; Sevda, B.; Shanks, B.; Shevchik, E.; Shirchenko, M.; Simkovic, F.; Singh, L.; Singh, V.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smolek, K.; Smolnikov, A.; Sonay, A.; Spavorova, M.; Stekl, I.; Stukov, D.; Tedeschi, D.; Thompson, J.; Van Wechel, T.; Varner, R. L.; Vasenko, A. A.; Vasilyev, S.; Veresnikova, A.; Vetter, K.; von Sturm, K.; Vorren, K.; Wagner, M.; Wang, G.-J.; Waters, D.; Wei, W.-Z.; Wester, T.; White, B. R.; Wiesinger, C.; Wilkerson, J. F.; Willers, M.; Wiseman, C.; Wojcik, M.; Wong, H. T.; Wyenberg, J.; Xu, W.; Yakushev, E.; Yang, G.; Yu, C.-H.; Yue, Q.; Yumatov, V.; Zeman, J.; Zeng, Z.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhu, B.; Zinatulina, D.; Zschocke, A.; Zsigmond, A. J.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

    2017-10-01

    The observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) would show that lepton number is violated, reveal that neu-trinos are Majorana particles, and provide information on neutrino mass. A discovery-capable experiment covering the inverted ordering region, with effective Majorana neutrino masses of 15 - 50 meV, will require a tonne-scale experiment with excellent energy resolution and extremely low backgrounds, at the level of ˜0.1 count /(FWHM.t.yr) in the region of the signal. The current generation 76Ge experiments GERDA and the Majorana Demonstrator, utilizing high purity Germanium detectors with an intrinsic energy resolution of 0.12%, have achieved the lowest backgrounds by over an order of magnitude in the 0νββ signal region of all 0νββ experiments. Building on this success, the LEGEND collaboration has been formed to pursue a tonne-scale 76Ge experiment. The collaboration aims to develop a phased 0νββ experimental program with discovery potential at a half-life approaching or at 1028 years, using existing resources as appropriate to expedite physics results.

  3. The diagnostic value of plasma N-terminal connective tissue growth factor levels in children with heart failure.

    PubMed

    Li, Gang; Song, Xueqing; Xia, Jiyi; Li, Jing; Jia, Peng; Chen, Pengyuan; Zhao, Jian; Liu, Bin

    2017-01-01

    The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of plasma N-terminal connective tissue growth factor in children with heart failure. Methods and results Plasma N-terminal connective tissue growth factor was determined in 61 children, including 41 children with heart failure, 20 children without heart failure, and 30 healthy volunteers. The correlations between plasma N-terminal connective tissue growth factor levels and clinical parameters were investigated. Moreover, the diagnostic value of N-terminal connective tissue growth factor levels was evaluated. Compared with healthy volunteers and children without heart failure, plasma N-terminal connective tissue growth factor levels were significantly elevated in those with heart failure (p0.05), but it obviously improved the ability of diagnosing heart failure in children, as demonstrated by the integrated discrimination improvement (6.2%, p=0.013) and net re-classification improvement (13.2%, p=0.017) indices. Plasma N-terminal connective tissue growth factor is a promising diagnostic biomarker for heart failure in children.

  4. High temperature conductivity of potassium-beta(double prime)-alumina

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, R. M.; Jeffries-Nakamura, B.; Underwood, M. L.; Ryan, M. A.; O'Connor, D.; Kikkert, S.

    1992-01-01

    Potassium beta(double prime)-alumina (BDPA) single crystals have been reported by several groups to leave higher ionic conductivity than sodium BDPA crystals at room temperature, and similar conductivities are obtained at temperatures up to 600-700 K. Potassium BDPA ceramics have been reported to have significantly poorer conductivities than those of sodium BDPA ceramics, but conductivity measurements at temperatures above 625 K have not been reported. In this study, K(+)-BDPA ceramics were prepared from Na(+)-BDPA ceramic using a modified version of the exchange reaction with KCl vapor reported by Crosbie and Tennenhouse (1982), and the conductivity has been measured in K vapor at temperatures up to 1223 K, using the method of Cole et al. (1979). The results indicate reasonable agreement with earlier data on K(+)-BDPA ceramic measured in a liquid K cell, but show that the K(+)-BDPA ceramic's conductivity approaches that of Na(+)-BDPA ceramic at higher temperatures, being within a factor of four at 700 K and 60 percent of the conductivity of Na(+)-BDPA at T over 1000 K. Both four-probe dc conductivity and four probe ac impedance measurements were used to characterize the conductivity. A rather abrupt change in the grain boundary resistance suggesting a possible phase change in the intergranular material, potassium aluminate, is seen in the ac impedance behavior.

  5. Pixel detectors in double beta decay experiments, a new approach for background reduction

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jose, J. M.; Čermák, P.; Štekl, I.

    Double beta decay (ββ) experiments are challenging frontiers in contemporary physics. These experiments have the potential to investigate more about neutrinos (eg. nature and mass). The main challenge for these experiments is the reduction of background. The group at IEAP, CTU in Prague is investigating a new approach using pixel detectors Timepix. Pixel detector offer background reduction capabilities with its ability to identify the particle interaction (from the 2D signature it generates). However, use of pixel detectors has some challenges such as the presence of readout electronics near the sensing medium and heat dissipation. Different aspects of pixel setup (identificationmore » of radio-impurities, selection of radio-pure materials) and proposed experimental setup are presented. Also, results of preliminary background measurements (performed on the surface and in the underground laboratories) using the prototype setups are presented.« less

  6. Search for double beta processes in {sup 106}Cd with enriched {sup 106}CdWO{sub 4} crystal scintillator in coincidence with four crystals HPGe detector

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Danevich, F. A., E-mail: danevich@kinr.kiev.ua; Chernyak, D. M.; Mokina, V. M.

    2015-10-28

    A radiopure cadmium tungstate crystal scintillator, enriched in {sup 106}Cd ({sup 106}CdWO{sub 4}), was used to search for double beta decay processes in {sup 106}Cd in coincidence with an ultra-low background set-up containing four high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors in a single cryostat. The experiment has been completed after 13085 h of data taking. New improved limits on most of the double beta processes in {sup 106}Cd have been set on the level of 10{sup 20}−10{sup 21} yr. Tn particular, the half-life limit on the two neutrino electron capture with positron emission, T{sub 1/2} ≥ 1.8 × 10{sup 21} yr, reachedmore » the region of theoretical predictions.« less

  7. 14 CFR 36.9 - Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. 36.9 Section 36.9 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL... AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION General § 36.9 Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. For propeller-driven small airplanes in the primary, normal, utility...

  8. 14 CFR 36.9 - Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. 36.9 Section 36.9 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL... AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION General § 36.9 Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. For propeller-driven small airplanes in the primary, normal, utility...

  9. 14 CFR 36.9 - Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. 36.9 Section 36.9 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL... AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION General § 36.9 Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. For propeller-driven small airplanes in the primary, normal, utility...

  10. 14 CFR 36.9 - Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. 36.9 Section 36.9 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL... AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION General § 36.9 Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. For propeller-driven small airplanes in the primary, normal, utility...

  11. 14 CFR 36.9 - Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. 36.9 Section 36.9 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL... AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION General § 36.9 Acoustical change: Propeller-driven small airplanes and propeller-driven commuter category airplanes. For propeller-driven small airplanes in the primary, normal, utility...

  12. 14 CFR 25.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant General § 25.905 Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational speed may not exceed the limits... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Propellers. 25.905 Section 25.905...

  13. 14 CFR 25.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant General § 25.905 Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational speed may not exceed the limits... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Propellers. 25.905 Section 25.905...

  14. 14 CFR 25.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant General § 25.905 Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational speed may not exceed the limits... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Propellers. 25.905 Section 25.905...

  15. 14 CFR 25.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant General § 25.905 Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational speed may not exceed the limits... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Propellers. 25.905 Section 25.905...

  16. 14 CFR 25.905 - Propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant General § 25.905 Propellers. (a) Each propeller must have a type certificate. (b) Engine power and propeller shaft rotational speed may not exceed the limits... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Propellers. 25.905 Section 25.905...

  17. A monotopic aluminum telluride with an Al=Te double bond stabilized by N-heterocyclic carbenes

    PubMed Central

    Franz, Daniel; Szilvási, Tibor; Irran, Elisabeth; Inoue, Shigeyoshi

    2015-01-01

    Aluminum chalcogenides are mostly encountered in the form of bulk aluminum oxides that are structurally diverse but typically consist of networks with high lattice energy in which the chalcogen atoms bridge the metal centres. This makes their molecular congeners difficult to synthesize because of a pronounced tendency for oligomerization. Here we describe the isolation of the monotopic aluminum chalcogenide (LDipN)AlTe(LEt)2 (LDip=1,3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-imine, LEt=1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene). Unique features of (LDipN)AlTe(LEt)2 are the terminal position of the tellurium atom, the shortest aluminum–tellurium distance hitherto reported for a molecular complex and the highest bond order reported for an interaction between these elements, to the best of our knowledge. At elevated temperature (LDipN)AlTe(LEt)2 equilibrates with dimeric {(LDipN)AlTe(LEt)}2 in which the chalcogen atoms assume their common role as bridges between the metal centres. These findings demonstrate that (LDipN)AlTe(LEt)2 comprises the elusive Al=Te double bond in the form of an N-heterocyclic carbene-stabilized species. PMID:26612781

  18. 78 FR 18255 - Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller, Inc. Propellers

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-26

    ... engine oil leak. This proposed AD would require replacement of the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm. We are proposing this AD to prevent propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm rupture, loss of engine oil, damage to the engine, and loss of the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by...

  19. Regulation of presynaptic Ca2+, synaptic plasticity and contextual fear conditioning by a N-terminal β-amyloid fragment.

    PubMed

    Lawrence, James L M; Tong, Mei; Alfulaij, Naghum; Sherrin, Tessi; Contarino, Mark; White, Michael M; Bellinger, Frederick P; Todorovic, Cedomir; Nichols, Robert A

    2014-10-22

    Soluble β-amyloid has been shown to regulate presynaptic Ca(2+) and synaptic plasticity. In particular, picomolar β-amyloid was found to have an agonist-like action on presynaptic nicotinic receptors and to augment long-term potentiation (LTP) in a manner dependent upon nicotinic receptors. Here, we report that a functional N-terminal domain exists within β-amyloid for its agonist-like activity. This sequence corresponds to a N-terminal fragment generated by the combined action of α- and β-secretases, and resident carboxypeptidase. The N-terminal β-amyloid fragment is present in the brains and CSF of healthy adults as well as in Alzheimer's patients. Unlike full-length β-amyloid, the N-terminal β-amyloid fragment is monomeric and nontoxic. In Ca(2+) imaging studies using a model reconstituted rodent neuroblastoma cell line and isolated mouse nerve terminals, the N-terminal β-amyloid fragment proved to be highly potent and more effective than full-length β-amyloid in its agonist-like action on nicotinic receptors. In addition, the N-terminal β-amyloid fragment augmented theta burst-induced post-tetanic potentiation and LTP in mouse hippocampal slices. The N-terminal fragment also rescued LTP inhibited by elevated levels of full-length β-amyloid. Contextual fear conditioning was also strongly augmented following bilateral injection of N-terminal β-amyloid fragment into the dorsal hippocampi of intact mice. The fragment-induced augmentation of fear conditioning was attenuated by coadministration of nicotinic antagonist. The activity of the N-terminal β-amyloid fragment appears to reside largely in a sequence surrounding a putative metal binding site, YEVHHQ. These findings suggest that the N-terminal β-amyloid fragment may serve as a potent and effective endogenous neuromodulator. Copyright © 2014 the authors 0270-6474/14/3414210-09$15.00/0.

  20. Chiral discrimination in cyclodextrin complexes of amino acid derivatives: beta-cyclodextrin/N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine and N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine complexes.

    PubMed

    Alexander, Jennifer M; Clark, Joanna L; Brett, Tom J; Stezowski, John J

    2002-04-16

    In a systematic study of molecular recognition of amino acid derivatives in solid-state beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) complexes, we have determined crystal structures for complexes of beta-cyclodextrin/N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine at 298 and 20 K and for N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine at 298 K. The crystal structures for the N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine complex present disordered inclusion complexes for which the distribution of guest molecules at room temperature is not resolvable; however, they can be located with considerable confidence at low temperature. In contrast, the complex with N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine is well ordered at room temperature. The latter complex presents an example of a complex in this series in which a water molecule is included deeply in the hydrophobic torus of the extended dimer host. In an effort to understand the mechanisms of molecular recognition giving rise to the dramatic differences in crystallographic order in these crystal structures, we have examined the intermolecular interactions in detail and have examined insertion of the enantiomer of the D-complex into the chiral beta-CD complex crystal lattice.

  1. Epstein-Barr virus nuclear protein 3C binds to the N-terminal (NTD) and beta trefoil domains (BTD) of RBP/CSL; Only the NTD interaction is essential for lymphoblastoid cell growth

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Calderwood, Michael A.; Lee, Sungwook; Holthaus, Amy M.

    Association of EBV nuclear proteins EBNA2, EBNA3A and EBNA3C with RBP/CSL, is essential for lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) proliferation. Conserved residues in the EBNA3 homology domain, required for RBP/CSL interaction, lack the W{Phi}P motif that mediates EBNA2 and Notch binding to the RBP/CSL beta-trefoil domain (BTD). We map RBP/CSL interacting residues within EBNA3A(aa128-204) and EBNA3C(aa211-233). The EBNA3A results are consistent with an earlier report (aa125-222), but the EBNA3C domain is unexpectedly small and includes a 'WTP' sequence. This EBNA3C WTP motif confers RBP/CSL binding in vitro, in yeast, and in mammalian cells. Further, an EBNA3C WTP {yields} STP(W227S) mutation impairedmore » BTD binding whereas EBNA3 homology domain mutations disrupted RBP/CSL N-terminal domain (NTD) binding. WTP was not essential for EBNA3C repression of EBNA2 in reporter assays or for maintenance of LCL growth. Our results indicate that EBNA3 proteins interact with multiple RBP/CSL domains, but only NTD interactions are required for LCL growth.« less

  2. N-substituted imidazolines and ethylenediamines and their action on alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.

    PubMed

    Hamada, A; Yaden, E L; Horng, J S; Ruffolo, R R; Patil, P N; Miller, D D

    1985-09-01

    A series of N-substituted imidazolines and ethylenediamines were synthesized and examined for their activity in alpha- and beta-adrenergic systems. The length of the intermediate side chain between the catechol and imidazoline ring or the amine of the ethylenediamine segment was shown to affect the adrenergic activity. N-[2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]imidazoline hydrochloride (2) and N-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (4), both with two methylene groups between the catechol and amine segment, were found to be somewhat selective for alpha 2-adrenergic receptors while 1-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)imidazoline hydrochloride (1) and N-2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (3), both with one methylene group between the catechol and amine segment, were more selective for alpha1-adrenergic receptors in a pithed rat model. Of the four compounds examined, only compound 2 showed significant direct activity on beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors.

  3. Advanced solar-propelled cargo spacecraft for Mars missions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Auziasdeturenne, J.; Beall, M.; Burianek, J.; Cinniger, A.; Dunmire, B.; Haberman, E.; Iwamoto, J.; Johnson, S.; Mccracken, S.; Miller, M.

    1989-01-01

    At the University of Washington, three concepts for an unmanned, solar powered, cargo spacecraft for Mars-support missions have been investigated. These spacecraft are designed to carry a 50,000 kg payload from a low Earth orbit to a low Mars orbit. Each design uses a distinctly different propulsion system: a solar radiation absorption (SRA) system, a solar-pumped laser (SPL) system, and a solar powered mangetoplasmadynamic (MPD) arc system. The SRA directly converts solar energy to thermal energy in the propellant through a novel process developed at the University of Washington. A solar concentrator focuses sunlight into an absorption chamber. A mixture of hydrogen and potassium vapor absorbs the incident radiation and is heated to approximately 3700 K. The hot propellant gas exhausts through a nozzle to produce thrust. The SRA has an I(sub sp) of approximately 1000 sec and produces a thrust of 2940 N using two thrust chambers. In the SPL system, a pair of solar-pumped, multi-megawatt, CO2 lasers in sun-synchronous Earth orbit converts solar energy to laser energy. The laser beams are transmitted to the spacecraft via laser relay satellites. The laser energy heats the hydrogen propellant through a plasma breakdown process in the center of an absorption chamber. Propellant flowing through the chamber, heated by the plasma core, expands through a nozzle to produce thrust. The SPL has an I(sub sp) of 1285 sec and produces a thrust of 1200 N using two thrust chambers. The MPD system uses indium phosphide solar cells to convert sunlight to electricity, which powers the propulsion system. In this system, the argon propellant is ionized and electromagnetically accelerated by a magnetoplasmadynamic arc to produce thrust. The MPD spacecraft has an I(sub sp) of 2490 sec and produces a thrust of 100 N. Various orbital transfer options are examined for these concepts. In the SRA system, the mother ship transfers the payload into a very high Earth orbit and a small auxiliary

  4. Enhanced alkaline hydrolysis and biodegradability studies of nitrocellulose-bearing missile propellant

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sidhoum, Mohammed; Christodoulatos, Christos; Su, Tsan-Liang; Redis, Mercurios

    1995-01-01

    Large amounts of energetic materials which have been accumulated over the years in various manufacturing and military installations must be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. Historically, the method of choice for destruction of obsolete or aging energetic materials has been open burning or open detonation (OB/OD). This destruction approach has become undesirable due to air pollution problems. Therefore, there is a need for new technologies which will effectively and economically deal with the disposal of energetic materials. Along those lines, we have investigated a chemical/biological process for the safe destruction and disposal of a double base solid rocket propellant (AHH), which was used in several 8 inch projectile systems. The solid propellant is made of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin as energetic components, two lead salts which act as ballistic modifiers, triacetin as a plasticizer and 2-Nitrodiphenylamine (2-NDPA) as a stabilizer. A process train is being developed to convert the organic components of the propellant to biodegradable products and remove the lead from the process stream. The solid propellant is first hydrolyzed through an enhanced alkaline hydrolysis process step. Following lead removal and neutralization, the digested liquor rich in nitrates and nitrites is found to be easily biodegradable. The digestion rate of the intact ground propellant as well as the release of nitrite and nitrate groups were substantially increased when ultrasound were supplied to the alkaline reaction medium compared to the conventional alkaline hydrolysis. The effects of reaction time, temperature, sodium hydroxide concentration and other relevant parameters on the digestion efficiency and biodegradability have been studied. The present work indicates that the AHH propellant can be disposed of safely with a combination of physiochemical and biological processes.

  5. Investigation of Propellant Sloshing and Zero Gravity Equilibrium for the Orion Service Module Propellant Tanks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kreppel, Samantha

    A scaled model of the downstream Orion service module propellant tank was constructed to asses the propellant dynamics under reduced and zero-gravity conditions. Flight and ground data from the experiment is currently being used to validate computational models of propel-lant dynamics in Orion-class propellant tanks. The high fidelity model includes the internal structures of the propellant management device (PMD) and the mass-gauging probe. Qualita-tive differences between experimental and CFD data are understood in terms of fluid dynamical scaling of inertial effects in the scaled system. Propellant configurations in zero-gravity were studied at a range of fill-fractions and the settling time for various docking maneuvers was determined. A clear understanding of the fluid dynamics within the tank is necessary to en-sure proper control of the spacecraft's flight and to maintain safe operation of this and future service modules. Understanding slosh dynamics in partially-filled propellant tanks is essential to assessing spacecraft stability.

  6. Propeller noise prediction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zorumski, W. E.

    1983-01-01

    Analytic propeller noise prediction involves a sequence of computations culminating in the application of acoustic equations. The prediction sequence currently used by NASA in its ANOPP (aircraft noise prediction) program is described. The elements of the sequence are called program modules. The first group of modules analyzes the propeller geometry, the aerodynamics, including both potential and boundary layer flow, the propeller performance, and the surface loading distribution. This group of modules is based entirely on aerodynamic strip theory. The next group of modules deals with the actual noise prediction, based on data from the first group. Deterministic predictions of periodic thickness and loading noise are made using Farassat's time-domain methods. Broadband noise is predicted by the semi-empirical Schlinker-Amiet method. Near-field predictions of fuselage surface pressures include the effects of boundary layer refraction and (for a cylinder) scattering. Far-field predictions include atmospheric and ground effects. Experimental data from subsonic and transonic propellers are compared and NASA's future direction is propeller noise technology development are indicated.

  7. Advanced propeller research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Groeneweg, John F.; Bober, Lawrence J.

    1990-01-01

    Recent results of aerodynamic and acoustic research on both single rotation and counterrotation propellers are reviewed. Data and analytical results are presented for three propellers: SR-7A, the single rotation design used in the NASA Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) flight program; CRP-X1, the initial 5+5 Hamilton Standard counterrotating design; and F7-A7, the 8+8 counterrotating G.E. design used in the proof of concept Unducted Fan (UDF) engine. In addition to propeller efficiencies, cruise and takeoff noise, and blade pressure data, off-design phenomena involving formation of leading edge vortexes are described. Aerodynamic and acoustic computational results derived from 3-D Euler and acoustic radiation codes are presented. Research on unsteady flows which are particularly important for understanding counterrotation interaction noise, unsteady loading effects on acoustics, and flutter or forced response is described. The first results of 3-D unsteady Euler solutions are illustrated for a single rotation propeller at angle of attack and for a counterrotation propeller. Basic experimental and theoretical results from studies on the unsteady aerodynamics of oscillating cascades are outlined.

  8. Propeller flow visualization techniques

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stefko, G. L.; Paulovich, F. J.; Greissing, J. P.; Walker, E. D.

    1982-01-01

    Propeller flow visualization techniques were tested. The actual operating blade shape as it determines the actual propeller performance and noise was established. The ability to photographically determine the advanced propeller blade tip deflections, local flow field conditions, and gain insight into aeroelastic instability is demonstrated. The analytical prediction methods which are being developed can be compared with experimental data. These comparisons contribute to the verification of these improved methods and give improved capability for designing future advanced propellers with enhanced performance and noise characteristics.

  9. Reconstruction of Anterolateral Thigh Defects Using Perforator-Based Propeller Flaps.

    PubMed

    Iida, Takuya; Yoshimatsu, Hidehiko; Koshima, Isao

    2017-10-01

    Usually, anterolateral thigh (ALT) defects with width more than 8 cm cannot be closed directly. Although several methods of using local flaps exist, flap mobility of these methods is limited. We introduced a perforator-based propeller flap for such reconstruction. Their maximal mobility, which minimizes their size, is their greatest advantage. In addition, we present our technical refinements including double-axes propeller flap, the use of indocyanine green real-time angiography, and supercharged propeller flap for safer flap transfer. Seven patients underwent perforator-based propeller flap reconstruction of ALT defects. Flaps were designed cranial or caudal to the defect according to the perforator locations. To maximize mobility, flaps were designed so that the perforator was located at the periphery and closer to the defect. After rotating the flap to the defect, indocyanine green angiography was performed to determine the need for supercharge. In all cases, all flaps survived completely. Defect size ranged from 12 × 11 cm to 18 × 16 cm, and flap size ranged from 7 × 5 cm to 15 × 7 cm. The number of perforators in the flap was 1 in 3 cases and 2 in 4 cases. Supercharging was performed in 3 cases. Donor-site complications, including gait disturbance, were not observed. This method achieves ALT defect closure with minimal donor-site morbidity and can provide prompt and aesthetically acceptable results. Indocyanine green real-time angiography and supercharging technique are also useful for safer and reliable flap transfer.

  10. Molecular architecture of the ATP-dependent CodWX protease having an N-terminal serine active site

    PubMed Central

    Kang, Min Suk; Kim, Soon Rae; Kwack, Pyeongsu; Lim, Byung Kook; Ahn, Sung Won; Rho, Young Min; Seong, Ihn Sik; Park, Seong-Chul; Eom, Soo Hyun; Cheong, Gang-Won; Chung, Chin Ha

    2003-01-01

    CodWX in Bacillus subtilis is an ATP-dependent, N-terminal serine protease, consisting of CodW peptidase and CodX ATPase. Here we show that CodWX is an alkaline protease and has a distinct molecular architecture. ATP hydrolysis is required for the formation of the CodWX complex and thus for its proteolytic function. Remarkably, CodX has a ‘spool-like’ structure that is formed by interaction of the intermediate domains of two hexameric or heptameric rings. In the CodWX complex, CodW consisting of two stacked hexameric rings (WW) binds to either or both ends of a CodX double ring (XX), forming asymmetric (WWXX) or symmetric cylindrical particles (WWXXWW). CodWX can also form an elongated particle, in which an additional CodX double ring is bound to the symmetric particle (WWXXWWXX). In addition, CodWX is capable of degrading EzrA, an inhibitor of FtsZ ring formation, implicating it in the regulation of cell division. Thus, CodWX appears to constitute a new type of protease that is distinct from other ATP-dependent proteases in its structure and proteolytic mechanism. PMID:12805205

  11. Development and implementation of a propeller test capability for GL-10 "Greased Lightning" propeller design

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duvall, Brian Edward

    Interest in small unmanned aerial vehicles has increased dramatically in recent years. Hybrid vehicles which allow forward flight as a fixed wing aircraft and a true vertical landing capability have always had applications. Management of the available energy and noise associated with electric propeller propulsion systems presents many challenges. NASA Langley has developed the Greased Lightning 10 (GL-10) vertical takeoff, unmanned aerial vehicle with ten individual motors and propellers. All are used for propulsion during takeoff and contribute to acoustic noise pollution which is an identified nuisance to the surrounding users. A propeller test capability was developed to gain an understanding of how the noise can be reduced while meeting minimum thrust requirements. The designed propeller test stand allowed for various commercially available propellers to be tested for potential direct replacement of the current GL-10 propellers and also supported testing of a newly designed propeller provided by the Georgia Institute of Technology. Results from the test program provided insight as to which factors affect the noise as well as performance characteristics. The outcome of the research effort showed that the current GL-10 propeller still represents the best choice of all the candidate propellers tested.

  12. Membrane interaction of the N-terminal domain of chemokine receptor CXCR1.

    PubMed

    Haldar, Sourav; Raghuraman, H; Namani, Trishool; Rajarathnam, Krishna; Chattopadhyay, Amitabha

    2010-06-01

    The N-terminal domain of chemokine receptors constitutes one of the two critical ligand binding sites, and plays important roles by mediating binding affinity, receptor selectivity, and regulating function. In this work, we monitored the organization and dynamics of a 34-mer peptide of the CXC chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1) N-terminal domain and its interaction with membranes by utilizing a combination of fluorescence-based approaches and surface pressure measurements. Our results show that the CXCR1 N-domain 34-mer peptide binds vesicles of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and upon binding, the tryptophan residues of the peptide experience motional restriction and exhibit red edge excitation shift (REES) of 19nm. These results are further supported by increase in fluorescence anisotropy and mean fluorescence lifetime upon membrane binding. These results constitute one of the first reports demonstrating membrane interaction of the N-terminal domain of CXCR1 and gain relevance in the context of the emerging role of cellular membranes in chemokine signaling.

  13. Dephosphorylation of the linker regions of Smad1 and Smad2/3 by small C-terminal domain phosphatases has distinct outcomes for bone morphogenetic protein and transforming growth factor-beta pathways.

    PubMed

    Sapkota, Gopal; Knockaert, Marie; Alarcón, Claudio; Montalvo, Ermelinda; Brivanlou, Ali H; Massagué, Joan

    2006-12-29

    Smad proteins transduce bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signals upon phosphorylation of their C-terminal SXS motif by receptor kinases. The activity of Smad1 in the BMP pathway and Smad2/3 in the TGFbeta pathway is restricted by pathway cross-talk and feedback through protein kinases, including MAPK, CDK2/4, p38MAPK, JNK, and others. These kinases phosphorylate Smads 1-3 at the region that links the N-terminal DNA-binding domain and the C-terminal transcriptional domain. Phosphatases that dephosphorylate the linker region are therefore likely to play an integral part in the regulation of Smad activity. We reported previously that small C-terminal domain phosphatases 1, 2, and 3 (SCP1-3) dephosphorylate Smad1 C-terminal tail, thereby attenuating BMP signaling. Here we provide evidence that SCP1-3 also dephosphorylate the linker regions of Smad1 and Smad2/3 in vitro, in mammalian cells and in Xenopus embryos. Overexpression of SCP 1, 2, or 3 decreased linker phosphorylation of Smads 1, 2 and 3. Moreover, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of SCP1/2 increased the BMP-dependent phosphorylation of the Smad1 linker region as well as the C terminus. In contrast, SCP1/2 knockdown increased the TGFbeta-dependent linker phosphorylation of Smad2/3 but not the C-terminal phosphorylation. Consequently, SCP1/2 knockdown inhibited TGFbeta transcriptional responses, but it enhanced BMP transcriptional responses. Thus, by dephosphorylating Smad2/3 at the linker (inhibitory) but not the C-terminal (activating) site, the SCPs enhance TGFbeta signaling, and by dephosphorylating Smad1 at both sites, the SCPs reset Smad1 to the basal unphosphorylated state.

  14. Combining data from high-energy pp-reactions and neutrinoless double-beta decay: Limits on the mass of the right-handed boson

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Civitarese, Osvaldo; Suhonen, Jouni; Zuber, Kai

    2016-10-01

    From the recently established lower-limits on the nonobservability of the neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge (GERDA collaboration) and 136Xe (EXO-200 and KamLAND-Zen collaborations), combined with the ATLAS and CMS data, we extract limits for the left-right (LR) mixing angle, ζ, of the SU(2)L ×SU(2)R electroweak Hamiltonian. For the theoretical analysis, which is a model dependent, we have adopted a minimal extension of the Standard Model (SM) of Electroweak Interactions belonging to the SU(2)L ×SU(2)R representation. The nuclear-structure input of the analysis consists of a set of matrix elements and phase-space factors, and the experimental lower-limits for the half-lives. The other input are the ATLAS and CMS cross-section measurements of the pp-collisions into two-jets and two-leptons, performed at the large hadron collider (LHC). Our analysis yields the limit ζ < 10-3 for MR > 3TeV, by combining the model-dependent limits extracted from the double-beta-decay measurements and those extracted from the results of the CMS and ATLAS measurements.

  15. Isomeric forms of specifically. beta. -subunit labeled mitochondrial F/sub 1/-adenosinetriphosphatase with different properties

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, J.H.; Wu, J.C.; Joshi, V.

    1986-05-01

    Treatment of the mitochondrial F/sub 1/-ATPase (MF/sub 1/) containing 1 specific 7-(4-nitro-2,1,3-(/sup 14/C)benzoxadiazolyl)-label (NBD) per enzyme molecule with acetylcysteine (AC) shows that the ratio r of specific ATPase activity of (O-NBD)/sub n/MF/sub 1/ to that of the control MF/sub 1/ increases linearly with the number of labels removed by AC from r < 0.1 to r > 0.9 and that dr/dn approx. = -1 as expected from specific labeling of an essential Tyr in the catalytic ..beta..' subunit. The r value of this labeled enzyme can also be increased 10-fold by LiCl-induced rearrangement of its subunits without removing any ofmore » the label. Similar treatment of the rearranged (O-NBD)/sub n/MF/sub 1/ shows that only a fraction of its radioactive labels can be removed at the normal rate by AC with dr/dn approx. = -1. The remaining labels have little inhibitory effect and are removed at much slower rates by AC with dr/dn approx. = 0. If the reaction with the rearranged (O-NBD)/sub n/MF/sub 1/ is terminated by gel-filtration when most of the labels on ..beta..' have been removed, an isomeric form of the covalently labeled enzyme is obtained with n > 0.5 but r approx. = 1, indicating that its labels are on the subunits (..beta..'') which do not catalyze directly. Incubation of O-..beta..'-NBD-MF/sub 1/ and O-BETA''-NBD-MF/sub 1/ at pH 8.95 gives N-..beta..'-NBD-MF/sub 1/ and N-..beta..''-NBD-MF/sub 1/ respectively with different fluorescence quenching characteristics.« less

  16. Measuring nuclear reaction cross sections to extract information on neutrinoless double beta decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cavallaro, M.; Cappuzzello, F.; Agodi, C.; Acosta, L.; Auerbach, N.; Bellone, J.; Bijker, R.; Bonanno, D.; Bongiovanni, D.; Borello-Lewin, T.; Boztosun, I.; Branchina, V.; Bussa, M. P.; Calabrese, S.; Calabretta, L.; Calanna, A.; Calvo, D.; Carbone, D.; Chávez Lomelí, E. R.; Coban, A.; Colonna, M.; D'Agostino, G.; De Geronimo, G.; Delaunay, F.; Deshmukh, N.; de Faria, P. N.; Ferraresi, C.; Ferreira, J. L.; Finocchiaro, P.; Fisichella, M.; Foti, A.; Gallo, G.; Garcia, U.; Giraudo, G.; Greco, V.; Hacisalihoglu, A.; Kotila, J.; Iazzi, F.; Introzzi, R.; Lanzalone, G.; Lavagno, A.; La Via, F.; Lay, J. A.; Lenske, H.; Linares, R.; Litrico, G.; Longhitano, F.; Lo Presti, D.; Lubian, J.; Medina, N.; Mendes, D. R.; Muoio, A.; Oliveira, J. R. B.; Pakou, A.; Pandola, L.; Petrascu, H.; Pinna, F.; Reito, S.; Rifuggiato, D.; Rodrigues, M. R. D.; Russo, A. D.; Russo, G.; Santagati, G.; Santopinto, E.; Sgouros, O.; Solakci, S. O.; Souliotis, G.; Soukeras, V.; Spatafora, A.; Torresi, D.; Tudisco, S.; Vsevolodovna, R. I. M.; Wheadon, R. J.; Yildirin, A.; Zagatto, V. A. B.

    2018-02-01

    Neutrinoless double beta decay (0vββ) is considered the best potential resource to access the absolute neutrino mass scale. Moreover, if observed, it will signal that neutrinos are their own anti-particles (Majorana particles). Presently, this physics case is one of the most important research “beyond Standard Model” and might guide the way towards a Grand Unified Theory of fundamental interactions. Since the 0vββ decay process involves nuclei, its analysis necessarily implies nuclear structure issues. In the NURE project, supported by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC), nuclear reactions of double charge-exchange (DCE) are used as a tool to extract information on the 0vββ Nuclear Matrix Elements. In DCE reactions and ββ decay indeed the initial and final nuclear states are the same and the transition operators have similar structure. Thus the measurement of the DCE absolute cross-sections can give crucial information on ββ matrix elements. In a wider view, the NUMEN international collaboration plans a major upgrade of the INFN-LNS facilities in the next years in order to increase the experimental production of nuclei of at least two orders of magnitude, thus making feasible a systematic study of all the cases of interest as candidates for 0vββ.

  17. Recent Advancements in Propellant Densification

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McNelis, Nancy B.; Tomsik, Thomas M.

    1998-01-01

    Next-generation launch vehicles demand several technological improvements to achieve lower cost and more reliable access to space. One technology area whose performance gains may far exceed others is densified propellants. The ideal rocket engine propellant is characterized by high specific impulse, high density, and low vapor pressure. A propellant combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (LH2/LOX) is one of the highest performance propellants, but LH2 stored at standard conditions has a relatively low density and high vapor pressure. Propellant densification can significantly improve this propellant's properties relative to vehicle design and engine performance. Vehicle performance calculations based on an average of existing launch vehicles indicate that densified propellants may allow an increase in payload mass of up to 5 percent. Since the NASA Lewis Research Center became involved with the National Aerospace Plane program in the 1980's, it has been leading the way in making densified propellants a viable fuel for next-generation launch vehicles. Lewis researchers have been working to provide a method and critical data for continuous production of densified hydrogen and oxygen.

  18. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of N- and C-Terminal Protein Bioconjugates as G Protein-Coupled Receptor Agonists.

    PubMed

    Healey, Robert D; Wojciechowski, Jonathan P; Monserrat-Martinez, Ana; Tan, Susan L; Marquis, Christopher P; Sierecki, Emma; Gambin, Yann; Finch, Angela M; Thordarson, Pall

    2018-02-21

    A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist protein, thaumatin, was site-specifically conjugated at the N- or C-terminus with a fluorophore for visualization of GPCR:agonist interactions. The N-terminus was specifically conjugated using a synthetic 2-pyridinecarboxyaldehyde reagent. The interaction profiles observed for N- and C-terminal conjugates were varied; N-terminal conjugates interacted very weakly with the GPCR of interest, whereas C-terminal conjugates bound to the receptor. These chemical biology tools allow interactions of therapeutic proteins:GPCR to be monitored and visualized. The methodology used for site-specific bioconjugation represents an advance in application of 2-pyridinecarboxyaldehydes for N-terminal specific bioconjugations.

  19. Symmetric Fold/Super-Hopf Bursting, Chaos and Mixed-Mode Oscillations in Pernarowski Model of Pancreatic Beta-Cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fallah, Haniyeh

    Pancreatic beta-cells produce insulin to regularize the blood glucose level. Bursting is important in beta cells due to its relation to the release of insulin. Pernarowski model is a simple polynomial model of beta-cell activities indicating bursting oscillations in these cells. This paper presents bursting behaviors of symmetric type in this model. In addition, it is shown that the current system exhibits the phenomenon of period doubling cascades of canards which is a route to chaos. Canards are also observed symmetrically near folds of slow manifold which results in a chaotic transition between n and n + 1 spikes symmetric bursting. Furthermore, mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs) and combination of symmetric bursting together with MMOs are illustrated during the transition between symmetric bursting and continuous spiking.

  20. Three-Dimensional Simulation of Base Bleed Unit with AP/HTPB Propellant in Fast Cook-off Conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Wen-feng; Yu, Yong-gang; Ye, Rui; Yang, Hou-wen

    2017-07-01

    In this work, a three-dimensional unsteady heat transfer model of base bleed unit with trilobite ammonium perchlorate (AP)/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) composite solid propellant is presented to analyze the cook-off characteristics. According to the two-step chemical reaction of AP/HTPB propellant, a small-scale cook-off test is established. A comparison of the experimental and calculated results is made to verify the rationality of the computation model. On this basis, a cook-off numerical simulation of the base bleed unit at the heating rates of 0.33, 0.58 and 0.83 K/s is presented to investigate the ignition and initiation characteristics. The results show that the ignitions occur on the head face of the AP/HTPB propellant and near the internal gas chamber in these conditions. As the heating rate increases, the runaway time decreases and the ignition temperature rises.

  1. First array of enriched Zn$$^{82}$$Se bolometers to search for double beta decay

    DOE PAGES

    Artusa, D. R.; Balzoni, A.; Beeman, J. W.; ...

    2016-07-01

    The R&D activity performed during the last years proved the potential of ZnSe scintillating bolometers to the search for neutrino-less double beta decay, motivating the realization of the first large-mass experiment based on this technology: CUPID-0. The isotopic enrichment in 82Se, the Zn 82Se crystals growth, as well as the light detectors production have been accomplished, and the experiment is now in construction at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy). In this paper we present the results obtained testing the first three Zn 82Se crystals operated as scintillating bolometers, and we prove that their performance in terms of energy resolution,more » background rejection capability and intrinsic radio-purity complies with the requirements of CUPID-o.« less

  2. Neutrino nuclear responses for double beta decays and astro neutrinos by charge exchange reactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ejiri, Hiroyasu

    2014-09-01

    Neutrino nuclear responses are crucial for neutrino studies in nuclei. Charge exchange reactions (CER) are shown to be used to study charged current neutrino nuclear responses associated with double beta decays(DBD)and astro neutrino interactions. CERs to be used are high energy-resolution (He3 ,t) reactions at RCNP, photonuclear reactions via IAR at NewSUBARU and muon capture reactions at MUSIC RCNP and MLF J-PARC. The Gamow Teller (GT) strengths studied by CERs reproduce the observed 2 neutrino DBD matrix elements. The GT and spin dipole (SD) matrix elements are found to be reduced much due to the nucleon spin isospin correlations and the non-nucleonic (delta isobar) nuclear medium effects. Impacts of the reductions on the DBD matrix elements and astro neutrino interactions are discussed.

  3. Prejunctional and postjunctional actions of heptanol and 18 beta-glycyrretinic acid in the rodent vas deferens.

    PubMed

    Rahman, Faisal; Manchanda, Rohit; Brain, Keith L

    2009-06-15

    Heptanol and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (18 beta GA) block gap junctions, but have other actions on transmitter release that have not been characterised. This study investigates the prejunctional and postjunctional effects of these compounds in guinea pig and mouse vas deferens using intracellular electrophysiological recording and confocal Ca(2+) imaging of sympathetic nerve terminals. In mice, heptanol (2 mM) reversibly decreased the amplitude of purinergic excitatory junction potentials (EJPs; 52+/-5%, P<0.05) while having little effect on spontaneous excitatory junction potentials (sEJPs). Heptanol (2 mM) reversibly abolished the nerve terminal Ca(2+) transient in 52% of terminals. 18 beta GA (10 microM) decreased the mean EJP amplitude, and increased input resistance in both mouse (137+/-17%, P<0.05) and guinea pig (354+/-50%, P<0.001) vas deferens indicating gap junction blockade. Further, 18 beta GA increased the sEJP frequency significantly in guinea pigs (by 71+/-25%, P<0.05) and in 5 out of 6 tissues in mice (19+/-3%, P<0.05). Moreover, 18 beta GA depolarised cells from both mice (11+/-1%, P<0.01) and guinea pigs (8+/-1%, P<0.005). Therefore, we conclude that heptanol (2 mM) decreases neurotransmitter release (given the decrease in EJP amplitude) by abolishing the nerve terminal action potential in a proportion of nerve terminals. 18 betaGA (10 microM) effectively blocks the gap junctions, but the increase in sEJP frequency suggests an additional prejunctional effect, which might involve the induction of spontaneous nerve terminal action potentials.

  4. The Double Beta Decay of NEODYMIUM-150 and Molybdenum -100

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nelson, Matthew Alan

    1995-01-01

    The double beta decays of ^{150 }Nd and ^{100}Mo were studied in a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) located at an underground site at Hoover Dam. Studies of 6286.6 h of data obtained from 15.48 g of Nd_2O _3 enriched to 91% in ^{150 }Nd reveal a two-neutrino half-life of T _sp{1/2}{2nu}=(6.27_sp {-.049}{+.049}+/-1.2)times10 ^{18} y at the 90% confidence level, and 90% CL half-life limits for the zero-neutrino and majoron decay channels of T_sp{1/2 }{0nu}>1.10times10^{21 } y, and T_sp{1/2} {0nu,chi}>3.30times10^ {20} y, respectively. Similar studies on 3274.7 h of data from a 16.7 g sample of metallic Mo enriched to 97.4% in ^{100}Mo resulted in measurements of T_sp{1/2 }{2nu}=(6.59_sp{-0.51} {+0.52}+/-1.3)times10^{1 8} {rm y}, T_sp {1/2}{0nu}>1.12times10^ {21} {rm y and} T _sp{1/2}{0nu,chi}>4.07 times10^{20} y, all at the 90% CL.

  5. Study of double wall panels for use in propeller driven aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Atwal, M.; Bernhard, R.

    1984-01-01

    Propeller driven aircraft have exhibited high levels of interior noise. Most absorption materials are not effective at low frequencies where maximum noise levels occur. Two panels separated by an air gap are suggested as an alternative means of noise attenuation. This design produces an impedance mismatch where a sound wave travels backwards to the source. The higher the impedance, the higher the reflected soundwave intensity. Two aluminum panels with helium in between and two panels with one being perforated were investigated. Helium increases the transmission loss because of a greater impedance mismatch than air. The transmission loss of the unperforated panel is higher throughout the frequency range tested.

  6. Study of double wall panels for use in propeller driven aircraft

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Atwal, M.; Bernhard, R.

    1984-05-01

    Propeller driven aircraft have exhibited high levels of interior noise. Most absorption materials are not effective at low frequencies where maximum noise levels occur. Two panels separated by an air gap are suggested as an alternative means of noise attenuation. This design produces an impedance mismatch where a sound wave travels backwards to the source. The higher the impedance, the higher the reflected soundwave intensity. Two aluminum panels with helium in between and two panels with one being perforated were investigated. Helium increases the transmission loss because of a greater impedance mismatch than air. The transmission loss of the unperforated panel is higher throughout the frequency range tested.

  7. Earth-to-orbit propellant transportation overview

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fester, D.

    1984-01-01

    The transportation of large quantities of cryogenic propellants which are needed to support Space Station/OTV operation is discussed. Two ways to send propellants into space are: transporting them in dedicated tankers or scavenging unused STS propellant. Scavenging propellant, both with and without an aft cargo carrier system is examined. An average of two to four flights per year can be saved by scavenging and manifesting propellant as payload. Addition of an aft cargo carrier permits loading closer to maximum, reduces the required number of flights, and reduces the propellant available for scavenging. Sufficient propellant remains, however, for OTV needs.

  8. Nuclear deformation and searches of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0 νββ) : A case study of 76Ge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janssens, Robert V. F.; Ayangeakaa, Akaa Daniel; ANL Collaboration; LLNL Collaboration; LLBL Collaboration; Maryland Collaboration

    2017-09-01

    Observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0 νββ) would both demonstrate the Majorana nature of the neutrino and provide experimental access to its absolute mass scale. Over the last decade, wavefunction contributions for leading (0 νββ) candidates have been probed in a campaign of experiments utilizing transfer reactions to determine nucleon occupancies in a consistent way. While these studies have provided a great deal of information for comparison with theory, especially on contributions to the nuclear wavefunctions from competing orbitals, they lack sensitivity to the collective degrees of freedom which have been shown to be relevant in describing these nuclei. In this talk, we present results of a high-precision Coulomb excitation measurement of 76Ge, performed at Argonne National Laboratory using GRETINA and CHICO2. The results are compared with state-of-the-art shell model calculations and recently obtained (n , n ` γ) data, with emphasis on demonstrating the importance of nuclear deformation in determining the nuclear decay matrix elements. This work is supported by the DOE, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics under Contract Number DE-AC02-06CH11357, and Grant No. DE-FG02-94ER40834 and DE-FG02-08ER41556.

  9. Deletion of the N-terminal Domain (NTD) Alters the Ethanol Inhibition of NMDA Receptors in a Subunit-Dependent Manner

    PubMed Central

    Smothers, C. Thetford; Jin, Chun; Woodward, John J.

    2013-01-01

    Background Ethanol inhibition of NMDA receptors is poorly understood due in part to the organizational complexity of the receptor that provides ample locations for sites of action. Among these the N-terminal domain of NMDA receptor subunits contains binding sites for a variety of modulatory agents including zinc, protons and GluN2B selective antagonists such as ifenprodil or Ro-25–6981. Ethanol inhibition of neuronal NMDA receptors expressed in some brain areas has been reported to be occluded by the presence of ifenprodil or similar compounds suggesting that the N-terminal domain may be important in regulating the ethanol sensitivity of NMDA receptors. Methods Wild-type GluN1 and GluN2 subunits and those in which the coding sequence for the N-terminal domain was deleted were expressed in HEK293 cells. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recording was used to assess ethanol inhibition of wild-type and mutant receptors lacking the N-terminal domain. Results As compared to wild-type GluN1/GluN2A receptors, ethanol inhibition was slightly greater in cells expressing GluN2A subunits lacking the N-terminal domain. In contrast, GluN2B N-terminal deletion mutants showed normal ethanol inhibition while those lacking the N-terminal domain in both GluN1 and GluN2B subunits had decreased ethanol inhibition as compared to wild-type receptors. N-terminal domain lacking GluN2B receptors were insensitive to ifenprodil but retained normal sensitivity to ethanol. Conclusions These findings indicate that the N-terminal domain modestly influences the ethanol sensitivity of NMDA receptors in a subunit-dependent manner. They also show that ifenprodil’s actions on GluN2B containing receptors can be dissociated from those of ethanol. These results suggest that while the N-terminal domain is not a primary site of action for ethanol on NMDA receptors, it likely affects sensitivity via actions on intrinsic channel properties. PMID:23905549

  10. Analysis of solid propellant combustion in a closed vessel including secondary reaction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Benreuven, M.; Summerfield, M.

    1980-01-01

    A theory for combustion of solid propellants in a closed vessel is presented allowing for residual exothermic chemical reaction in the bulk of the gas in the vessel. Particular attention is given to propellants exhibiting thick gaseous flame zones such as nitrocellulose, double-base and nitramine propellants. For these, the reaction at high pressures is assumed to involve mainly the oxidation of residual hydrocarbons by NO. It is shown that the direct dynamic coupling between the exothermicity, the molecular weight reduction and the changing pressure can influence the dp/dt-p traces obtained, in a manner not directly related to mass burning rate of the solid. Energy and species conservation equations are derived for the bulk of the vessel in differential form; the system is solved numerically. The results show the effect of extended chemical reaction upon measurable combustion characteristics such as dp/dt-p and burn rate pressure exponent, demonstrating its potential importance in interpretation of closed vessel firing data, depending on the pace of the residual gas phase reactions.

  11. Determination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and beta-carboline alkaloids in human plasma following oral administration of Ayahuasca.

    PubMed

    Yritia, Mercedes; Riba, Jordi; Ortuño, Jordi; Ramirez, Ariel; Castillo, Araceli; Alfaro, Yolanda; de la Torre, Rafael; Barbanoj, Manel J

    2002-11-05

    Ayahuasca is a South American psychotropic beverage prepared from plants native to the Amazon River Basin. It combines the hallucinogenic agent and 5-HT(2A/2C) agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) with beta-carboline alkaloids showing monoamine oxidase-inhibiting properties. In the present paper, an analytical methodology for the plasma quantification of the four main alkaloids present in ayahuasca plus two major metabolites is described. DMT was extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with n-pentane and quantified by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. Recovery was 74%, and precision and accuracy were better than 9.9%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1.6 ng/ml. Harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine (THH), the three main beta-carbolines present in ayahuasca, and harmol and harmalol (O-demethylation metabolites of harmine and harmaline, respectively) were measured in plasma by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Sample preparation was accomplished by solid-phase extraction, which facilitated the automation of the process. All five beta-carbolines were measured using a single detector by switching wavelengths. Separation of harmol and harmalol required only slight changes in the chromatographic conditions. Method validation demonstrated good recoveries, above 87%, and accuracy and precision better than 13.4%. The LOQ was 0.5 ng/ml for harmine, 0.3 ng/ml for harmaline, 1.0 ng/ml for THH, and 0.3 ng/ml for harmol and harmalol. Good linearity was observed in the concentration ranges evaluated for DMT (2.5-50 ng/ml) and the beta-carbolines (0.3-100 ng/ml). The gas chromatography and HPLC methods described allowed adequate characterization of the pharmacokinetics of the four main alkaloids present in ayahuasca, and also of two major beta-carboline metabolites not previously described in the literature.

  12. Proteolytic processing of the pro beta chain of beta-hexosaminidase occurs at basic residues contained within an exposed disulfide loop structure.

    PubMed

    Sagherian, C; Poroszlay, S; Vavougios, G; Mahuran, D

    1993-01-01

    Lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) occurs as two major isozymes, Hex A (alpha beta) and Hex B (beta beta). The alpha and beta subunits are encoded by the HEXA and HEXB genes, respectively. Extensive homology in both the gene structures and deduced primary sequences demonstrate their common evolutionary origin. While undergoing similar proteolytic modifications in the lysosome, the pro beta polypeptide is additionally cleaved internally to produce the mature 24-30 kilodalton beta b and beta a chains. Previous data have suggested that this processing event occurs somewhere between residues Ser311 and Lys315. In this report we demonstrate that this area is located in a hydrophilic disulfide-loop structure (between Cys309 and Cys360). The cleavage event is prevented by the deletion through in vitro mutagenesis of the Arg312-Gln-Asn-Lys tetrapeptide or by its substitution with the aligned alpha residues (Gly-Ser-Glu-Pro). Reintroduction of either Arg312 or Lys315 reinstates the processing. Furthermore, we show that this area is not involved in lysosomal targeting of pro-Hex B, or in the increased stability or the variation in substrate specificity of the beta as compared with the alpha subunit. Our data suggest the presence of a novel lysosomal endoprotease. Like other endoproteases it is specific for basic amino acids; however, it cleaves on the amino-terminal side rather than the conventional carboxy-terminal side of such residues and then only if they are fully exposed to the lysosomal environment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  13. Performance optimization of marine propellers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Chang-Sup; Choi, Young-Dal; Ahn, Byoung-Kwon; Shin, Myoung-Sup; Jang, Hyun-Gil

    2010-12-01

    Recently a Wide Chord Tip (WCT) propeller has been developed and applied to a commercial ship by STX Offshore & Shipbuilding. It is reported that the WCT propeller significantly reduces pressure fluctuations and also ship's noise and vibration. On the sea trial, vibration magnitude in the accommodations at NCR was measured at 0.9mm/sec which is only 10% of international allowable magnitude of vibration (9mm/sec). In this paper, a design method for increasing performance of the marine propellers including the WCT propeller is suggested. It is described to maximize the performance of the propeller by adjusting expanded areas of the propeller blade. Results show that efficiency can be increased up to over 2% through the suggested design method.

  14. Results on neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge from the GERDA experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Palioselitis, Dimitrios

    2015-05-01

    The Germanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment is searching for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge, a lepton number violating nuclear process predicted by extensions of the Standard Model. GERDA is an array of bare germanium diodes immersed in liquid argon located at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy. The results of the GERDA Phase I data taking with a total exposure of 21.6 kg yr and a background index of 0.01 cts/(keV kg yr) are presented in this paper. No signal was observed and a lower limit of T1/20ν > 2.1×1025 yr (90% C.L.) was derived for the half-life of the 0νββ decay of 76Ge. Phase II of the experiment aims to reduce the background around the region of interest by a factor of ten.

  15. Mobile propeller dynamometer validation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morris, Mason Wade

    With growing interest in UAVs and OSU's interest in propeller performance and manufacturing, evaluating UAV propeller and propulsion system performance has become essential. In attempts to evaluate these propellers a mobile propeller dynamometer has been designed, built, and tested. The mobile dyno has been designed to be cost effective through the ability to load it into the back of a test vehicle to create simulated forward flight characteristics. This allows much larger propellers to be dynamically tested without the use of large and expensive wind tunnels. While evaluating the accuracy of the dyno, several improvements had to be made to get accurate results. The decisions made to design and improve the mobile propeller dyno will be discussed along with attempts to validate the dyno by comparing its results against known sources. Another large part of assuring the accuracy of the mobile dyno is determining if the test vehicle will influence the flow going into the propellers being tested. The flow into the propeller needs to be as smooth and uniform as possible. This is determined by characterizing the boundary layer and accelerated flow over the vehicle. This evaluation was accomplished with extensive vehicle aerodynamic measurements with the use of full-scale tests using a pitot-rake and the actual test vehicle. Additional tests were conducted in Oklahoma State University's low speed wind tunnel with a 1/8-scale model using qualitative flow visualization with smoke. Continuing research on the mobile dyno will be discussed, along with other potential uses for the dyno.

  16. Test program to demonstrate the stability of hydrazine in propellant tanks

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Moran, C. M.; Bjorklund, R. A.

    1983-01-01

    A 24-month coupon test program to evaluate the decomposition of propellant tanks is reported. The propellant fuel evaluated was monopropellant-grade hydrazine (N2H4), which is normally a colorless, fuming, corrosive, strongly reducing liquid. The degree of hydrazine decomposition was determined by means of chemical analyses of the liquid and evolved gases at the end of the test program. The experimental rates of hydrazine decomposition were determined to be within acceptable limits. The propellant tank materials and material combinations were not degraded by a 2-year exposure to hydrazine propellant. This was verified using change-of-weight determinations and microscopic examination of the specimen surface before and after exposure, and by posttest chemical analyses of hydrazine liquid for residual metal content.

  17. Distinctive functions of Syk N-terminal and C-terminal SH2 domains in the signaling cascade elicited by oxidative stress in B cells.

    PubMed

    Ding, J; Takano, T; Hermann, P; Gao, S; Han, W; Noda, C; Yanagi, S; Yamamura, H

    2000-05-01

    Syk plays a crucial role in the transduction of oxidative stress signaling. In this paper, we investigated the roles of Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of Syk in oxidative stress signaling, using Syk-negative DT40 cells expressing the N- or C-terminal SH2 domain mutant [mSH2(N) or mSH2(C)] of Syk. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk in cells expressing mSH2(N) Syk after H(2)O(2) treatment was higher than that in cells expressing wild-type Syk or mSH2(C) Syk. The tyrosine phosphorylation of wild-type Syk and mSH2(C) Syk, but not that of mSH2(N), was sensitive to PP2, a specific inhibitor of Src-family protein-tyrosine kinase. In oxidative stress, the C-terminal SH2 domain of Syk was demonstrated to be required for induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins, phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma2 phosphorylation, inositol 1,4, 5-triphosphate (IP(3)) generation, Ca(2)(+) release from intracellular stores, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation. In contrast, in mSH2(N) Syk-expressing cells, tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins including PLC-gamma2 was markedly induced in oxidative stress. The enhanced phosphorylation of mSH2(N) Syk and PLC-gamma2, however, did not link to Ca(2)(+) mobilization from intracellular pools and IP(3) generation. Thus, the N- and C-terminal SH2 domains of Syk possess distinctive functions in oxidative stress signaling.

  18. Oxidation of the N-terminal methionine of lens alpha-A crystallin

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Takemoto, L.; Horwitz, J.; Emmons, T.; Spooner, B. S. (Principal Investigator)

    1992-01-01

    Antiserum against the N-terminal peptide of bovine alpha-A crystallin has been used to monitor purification of two different seropositive peptides (i.e. T1a and T1b) from a tryptic digest of bovine lens proteins. Both these peptides have similar amino acid compositions, but peptide T1b has a molecular weight 16 atomic mass units larger than T1a, suggesting posttranslational modification. Analysis of ionization fragments of the T1b peptide by mass spectrometry demonstrates that this difference in molecular weight is due to the in vivo oxidation of the N-terminal met residue of the alpha-A crystallin molecule.

  19. Identifying and quantifying proteolytic events and the natural N terminome by terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates.

    PubMed

    Kleifeld, Oded; Doucet, Alain; Prudova, Anna; auf dem Keller, Ulrich; Gioia, Magda; Kizhakkedathu, Jayachandran N; Overall, Christopher M

    2011-09-22

    Analysis of the sequence and nature of protein N termini has many applications. Defining the termini of proteins for proteome annotation in the Human Proteome Project is of increasing importance. Terminomics analysis of protease cleavage sites in degradomics for substrate discovery is a key new application. Here we describe the step-by-step procedures for performing terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (TAILS), a 2- to 3-d (depending on method of labeling) high-throughput method to identify and distinguish protease-generated neo-N termini from mature protein N termini with all natural modifications with high confidence. TAILS uses negative selection to enrich for all N-terminal peptides and uses primary amine labeling-based quantification as the discriminating factor. Labeling is versatile and suited to many applications, including biochemical and cell culture analyses in vitro; in vivo analyses using tissue samples from animal and human sources can also be readily performed. At the protein level, N-terminal and lysine amines are blocked by dimethylation (formaldehyde/sodium cyanoborohydride) and isotopically labeled by incorporating heavy and light dimethylation reagents or stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture labels. Alternatively, easy multiplex sample analysis can be achieved using amine blocking and labeling with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification, also known as iTRAQ. After tryptic digestion, N-terminal peptide separation is achieved using a high-molecular-weight dendritic polyglycerol aldehyde polymer that binds internal tryptic and C-terminal peptides that now have N-terminal alpha amines. The unbound naturally blocked (acetylation, cyclization, methylation and so on) or labeled mature N-terminal and neo-N-terminal peptides are recovered by ultrafiltration and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Hierarchical substrate winnowing discriminates substrates from the background proteolysis products and

  20. Resin-assisted Enrichment of N-terminal Peptides for Characterizing Proteolytic Processing

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, Jong Seo; Dai, Ziyu; Aryal, Uma K.

    2013-06-17

    Proteolytic processing is a ubiquitous, irreversible posttranslational modification that plays an important role in cellular regulation in all living organisms. Herein we report a resin-assisted positive selection method for specifically enriching protein N-terminal peptides to facilitate the characterization of proteolytic processing events by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In this approach, proteins are initially reduced and alkylated and their lysine residues are converted to homoarginines. Then, protein N-termini are selectively converted to reactive thiol groups. We demonstrate that these sequential reactions were achieved with nearly quantitative efficiencies. Thiol-containing N-terminal peptides are then captured (>98% efficiency) by a thiol-affinity resin, a significantmore » improvement over the traditional avidin/biotin enrichment. Application to cell lysates of Aspergillus niger, a filamentous fungus of interest for biomass degradation, enabled the identification of 1672 unique protein N-termini and proteolytic cleavage sites from 690 unique proteins.« less

  1. Metoprolol and propranolol in essential tremor: a double-blind, controlled study.

    PubMed Central

    Calzetti, S; Findley, L J; Gresty, M A; Perucca, E; Richens, A

    1981-01-01

    Single oral doses of propranolol (120 mg), metoprolol (150 mg) and placebo were given in a randomised, double-blind fashion to 23 patients with essential tremor. Both beta blockers were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the magnitude of tremor. The decrease in tremor produced by metoprolol (47, sem 9%, n = 23) was not significantly different from that observed propranolol (55, sem 5%, n = 23). Tachycardia on standing was antagonised by both drugs to a similar extent. These findings suggest that metoprolol may represent a valuable alternative to propranolol in the treatment of essential tremor. The data is consistent with the hypothesis that the tremorolytic effect of beta blockers in these patients may be unrelated to peripheral beta-2 adreno-receptor blockade, being possibly mediated by other central or peripheral modes of action of these drugs. However, it cannot be excluded that at the dose used, metoprolol had lost its relative cardio-selectivity and that the reduction in tremor was mediated by competitive antagonism at beta-2 receptor sites in skeletal muscle. PMID:7031187

  2. A Detailed Historical Review of Propellant Management Devices for Low Gravity Propellant Acquisition

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hartwig, Jason W.

    2016-01-01

    This paper presents a comprehensive background and historical review of Propellant Management Devices (PMDs) used throughout spaceflight history. The purpose of a PMD is to separate liquid and gas phases within a propellant tank and to transfer vapor-free propellant from a storage tank to a transfer line en route to either an engine or receiver depot tank, in any gravitational or thermal environment. The design concept, basic flow physics, and principle of operation are presented for each type of PMD. The three primary capillary driven PMD types of vanes, sponges, and screen channel liquid acquisition devices are compared and contrasted. For each PMD type, a detailed review of previous applications using storable propellants is given, which include space experiments as well as space missions and vehicles. Examples of previous cryogenic propellant management are also presented.

  3. Searching for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay of 130 Te with CUORE

    DOE PAGES

    Artusa, D. R.; Avignone, F. T.; Azzolini, O.; ...

    2015-01-01

    Neumore » trinoless double-beta (0 ν β β ) decay is a hypothesized lepton-number-violating process that offers the only known means of asserting the possible Majorana nature of neutrino mass. The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is an upcoming experiment designed to search for 0 ν β β decay of 130 Te using an array of 988 TeO 2 crystal bolometers operated at 10 mK. The detector will contain 206 kg of 130 Te and have an average energy resolution of 5 keV; the projected 0 ν β β decay half-life sensitivity after five years of livetime is 1.6 × 10 26  y at 1 σ (9.5 × 10 25  y at the 90% confidence level), which corresponds to an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass in the range 40–100 meV (50–130 meV). In this paper, we review the experimental techniques used in CUORE as well as its current status and anticipated physics reach.« less

  4. Refueling with In-Situ Produced Propellants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chato, David J.

    2014-01-01

    In-situ produced propellants have been identified in many architecture studies as key to implementing feasible chemical propulsion missions to destinations beyond lunar orbit. Some of the more noteworthy ones include: launching from Mars to return to Earth (either direct from the surface, or via an orbital rendezvous); using the Earth-Moon Lagrange point as a place to refuel Mars transfer stages with Lunar surface produced propellants; and using Mars Moon Phobos as a place to produce propellants for descent and ascent stages bound for the Mars surface. However successful implementation of these strategies require an ability to successfully transfer propellants from the in-situ production equipment into the propellant tankage of the rocket stage used to move to the desired location. In many circumstances the most desirable location for this transfer to occur is in the low-gravity environment of space. In support of low earth orbit propellant depot concepts, extensive studies have been conducted on transferring propellants in-space. Most of these propellant transfer techniques will be applicable to low gravity operations in other locations. Even ground-based transfer operations on the Moon, Mars, and especially Phobos could benefit from the propellant conserving techniques used for depot refueling. This paper will review the literature of in-situ propellants and refueling to: assess the performance benefits of the use in-situ propellants for mission concepts; review the parallels with propellant depot efforts; assess the progress of the techniques required; and provide recommendations for future research.

  5. Effect of peptide aldehydes with IL-1 beta converting enzyme inhibitory properties on IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta production in vitro.

    PubMed

    Németh, K; Patthy, M; Fauszt, I; Széll, E; Székely, J I; Bajusz, S

    1995-12-01

    Tripeptide and pentapeptide aldehydes as substrate-base inhibitors of cysteine proteases were designed in our laboratory for the inhibition of interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE), a recently described cysteine protease responsible for the processing of IL-1 beta. The biological effectivity of the peptide aldehydes was studied in THP-1 cells and human whole blood. The released and cell-associated IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta levels were determined by ELISA from the supernatants and cell lysates, respectively. The total IL-1 like bioactivity was assayed by the D10 G4.1 cell proliferation method. The tripeptide aldehyde (Z-Val-His-Asp-H) and pentapeptide aldehyde (Eoc-Ala-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-H) significantly reduced IL-1 beta levels in the supernatants in relatively high concentrations (10-100 microM), but the IL-1 alpha release was unaffected by these peptides. However, a considerable decrease in the cell-associated IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha levels was observed. N-terminal extension of the tripeptide aldehyde yielded even more potent inhibitors. Amino acid substitution at the P2 position did not cause considerable changes in the inhibitory activity. The peptide aldehydes suppressed the IL-1 beta production in a reversible manner, whereas dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid, had a prolonged inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect of these peptides and that of dexamethasone appeared to be additive. These findings indicate that these peptide aldehydes might be used as IL-beta inhibitory agents in experimental models in which IL-1 beta is a key mediator or ICE is implicated.

  6. Clinical and Imaging Presentation of a Patient with Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration, a Rare and Sporadic form of Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA).

    PubMed

    Hattingen, Elke; Handke, Nikolaus; Cremer, Kirsten; Hoffjan, Sabine; Kukuk, Guido Matthias

    2017-12-01

    Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is a heterogeneous group of inherited neurologic disorders with iron accumulation in the basal ganglia, which share magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics, histopathologic and clinical features. According to the affected basal nuclei, clinical features include extrapyramidal movement disorders and varying degrees of intellectual disability status. The most common NBIA subtype is caused by pathogenic variants in PANK2. The hallmark of MR imaging in patients with PANK2 mutations is an eye-of-the-tiger sign in the globus pallidus. We report a 33-year-old female with a rare subtype of NBIA, called beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) with a hitherto unknown missense variant in WDR45. She presented with BPAN's particular biphasic course of neurological symptoms and with a dominant iron accumulation in the midbrain that enclosed a spotty T2-hyperintensity.

  7. The effect of a beta-lactamase inhibitor peptide on bacterial membrane structure and integrity: a comparative study.

    PubMed

    Alaybeyoglu, Begum; Uluocak, Bilge Gedik; Akbulut, Berna Sariyar; Ozkirimli, Elif

    2017-05-01

    Co-administration of beta-lactam antibiotics and beta-lactamase inhibitors has been a favored treatment strategy against beta-lactamase-mediated bacterial antibiotic resistance, but the emergence of beta-lactamases resistant to current inhibitors necessitates the discovery of novel non-beta-lactam inhibitors. Peptides derived from the Ala46-Tyr51 region of the beta-lactamase inhibitor protein are considered as potent inhibitors of beta-lactamase; unfortunately, peptide delivery into the cell limits their potential. The properties of cell-penetrating peptides could guide the design of beta-lactamase inhibitory peptides. Here, our goal is to modify the peptide with the sequence RRGHYY that possesses beta-lactamase inhibitory activity under in vitro conditions. Inspired by the work on the cell-penetrating peptide pVEC, our approach involved the addition of the N-terminal hydrophobic residues, LLIIL, from pVEC to the inhibitor peptide to build a chimera. These residues have been reported to be critical in the uptake of pVEC. We tested the potential of RRGHYY and its chimeric derivative as a beta-lactamase inhibitory peptide on Escherichia coli cells and compared the results with the action of the antimicrobial peptide melittin, the beta-lactam antibiotic ampicillin, and the beta-lactamase inhibitor potassium clavulanate to get mechanistic details on their action. Our results show that the addition of LLIIL to the N-terminus of the beta-lactamase inhibitory peptide RRGHYY increases its membrane permeabilizing potential. Interestingly, the addition of this short stretch of hydrophobic residues also modified the inhibitory peptide such that it acquired antimicrobial property. We propose that addition of the hydrophobic LLIIL residues to the peptide N-terminus offers a promising strategy to design novel antimicrobial peptides in the battle against antibiotic resistance. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 European

  8. Considerations on propeller efficiency

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Betz, A

    1928-01-01

    The propeller cannot be considered alone, but the mutual interference between propeller and airplane must be considered. These difficulties are so great when the joint action of propeller and airplane is considered, that the aerodynamic laboratory at Gottingen originally abandoned the idea of applying the efficiency conception of the test results. These difficulties and the methods by which they are overcome are outlined in this report.

  9. Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function after carbohydrate oral loading in hip replacement surgery: a double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Ljunggren, Stefan; Hahn, Robert G; Nyström, Thomas

    2014-06-01

    Surgery initiates a series of physiological stress processes in the body, inducing transient insulin resistance. Preoperative carbohydrate treatment can reduce the latter phenomenon. We investigated the effects of carbohydrate loading on insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function after elective hip replacement. Twenty-three nondiabetic patients (mean age of 68 years) who underwent elective hip replacement surgery participated in this double-blind controlled study. The patients were randomised to a nutrition group, which ingested a carbohydrate-rich fluid (50 kcal/100 ml) (Preop(®)), or a control group (tap water flavoured with lemon) 800 ml + 400 ml before the surgery. The insulin response (beta-cell function) and the insulin sensitivity were measured with an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic glucose clamp, respectively, one day before and two days after the surgery. Insulin sensitivity decreased by 51% (median; 25-75th percentiles 35-61) after ingesting Preop(®) and by 39% (21-51) after ingesting in the control group (n.s.). The postoperative IVGTT in the nutrition group was followed by a significantly larger area under the curve (AUC) for plasma insulin (+54% versus the preoperative IVGTT) compared to the control group (+7%). This difference was already apparent during the first phase (0-10 min) of insulin secretion (+20 and -21%, respectively; P < 0.05). The patients randomised to the carbohydrate oral fluid or the water prior to the surgery demonstrated a significant but similar decrease in insulin sensitivity. The carbohydrates increased the beta-cell function as a compensatory response to the disposition index, resulting in a smaller reduction in surgery-induced insulin resistance compared to the tap water. The study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01774084). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

  10. Molecular properties of the N-terminal extension of the fission yeast kinesin-5, Cut7.

    PubMed

    Edamatsu, M

    2016-02-11

    Kinesin-5 plays an essential role in spindle formation and function, and serves as a potential target for anti-cancer drugs. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular properties of the N-terminal extension of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe kinesin-5, Cut7. This extension is rich in charged amino acids and predicted to be intrinsically disordered. In S. pombe cells, a Cut7 construct lacking half the N-terminal extension failed to localize along the spindle microtubules and formed a monopolar spindle. However, a construct lacking the entire N-terminal extension exhibited normal localization and formed a typical bipolar spindle. In addition, in vitro analyses revealed that the truncated Cut7 constructs demonstrated similar motile velocities and directionalities as the wild-type motor protein, but the microtubule landing rates were significantly reduced. These findings suggest that the N-terminal extension is not required for normal Cut7 intracellular localization or function, but alters the microtubule-binding properties of this protein in vitro.

  11. Imaging the Impact of Proton Irradiation on Edge Terminations in Vertical GaN pin Diodes

    DOE PAGES

    Collins, Kimberlee C.; King, Michael P.; Dickerson, Jeramy R.; ...

    2017-05-29

    Devices based on GaN have shown great promise for high power electronics, including their potential use as radiation tolerant components. An important step to realizing high power diodes is the design and implementation of an edge termination to mitigate field crowding, which can lead to premature breakdown. However, little is known about the effects of radiation on edge termination functionality. We experimentally examine the effects of proton irradiation on multiple field ring edge terminations in high power vertical GaN pin diodes using in operando imaging with electron beam induced current (EBIC). We find that exposure to proton irradiation influences fieldmore » spreading in the edge termination as well as carrier transport near the anode. By using depth-dependent EBIC measurements of hole diffusion length in homoepitaxial n-GaN we demonstrate that the carrier transport effect is due to a reduction in hole diffusion length following proton irradiation.« less

  12. Imaging the Impact of Proton Irradiation on Edge Terminations in Vertical GaN pin Diodes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Collins, Kimberlee C.; King, Michael P.; Dickerson, Jeramy R.

    Devices based on GaN have shown great promise for high power electronics, including their potential use as radiation tolerant components. An important step to realizing high power diodes is the design and implementation of an edge termination to mitigate field crowding, which can lead to premature breakdown. However, little is known about the effects of radiation on edge termination functionality. We experimentally examine the effects of proton irradiation on multiple field ring edge terminations in high power vertical GaN pin diodes using in operando imaging with electron beam induced current (EBIC). We find that exposure to proton irradiation influences fieldmore » spreading in the edge termination as well as carrier transport near the anode. By using depth-dependent EBIC measurements of hole diffusion length in homoepitaxial n-GaN we demonstrate that the carrier transport effect is due to a reduction in hole diffusion length following proton irradiation.« less

  13. Structural communication between the chromophore-binding pocket and the N-terminal extension in plant phytochrome phyB.

    PubMed

    Velázquez Escobar, Francisco; Buhrke, David; Fernandez Lopez, Maria; Shenkutie, Sintayehu Manaye; von Horsten, Silke; Essen, Lars-Oliver; Hughes, Jon; Hildebrandt, Peter

    2017-05-01

    The N-terminal extension (NTE) of plant phytochromes has been suggested to play a functional role in signaling photoinduced structural changes. Here, we use resonance Raman spectroscopy to study the effect of the NTE on the chromophore structure of B-type phytochromes from two evolutionarily distant plants. NTE deletion seems to have no effect on the chromophore in the inactive Pr state, but alters the torsion of the C-D ring methine bridge and the surrounding hydrogen bonding network in the physiologically active Pfr state. These changes are accompanied by a shift of the conformational equilibrium between two Pfr substates, which might affect the thermal isomerization rate of the C-D double bond and, thus, account for the effect of the NTE on the dark reversion kinetics. © 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

  14. Modeling and simulation of the debonding process of composite solid propellants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Feng, Tao; Xu, Jin-sheng; Han, Long; Chen, Xiong

    2017-07-01

    In order to study the damage evolution law of composite solid propellants, the molecular dynamics particle filled algorithm was used to establish the mesoscopic structure model of HTPB(Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) propellants. The cohesive element method was employed for the adhesion interface between AP(Ammonium perchlorate) particle and HTPB matrix and the bilinear cohesive zone model was used to describe the mechanical response of the interface elements. The inversion analysis method based on Hooke-Jeeves optimization algorithm was employed to identify the parameters of cohesive zone model(CZM) of the particle/binder interface. Then, the optimized parameters were applied to the commercial finite element software ABAQUS to simulate the damage evolution process for AP particle and HTPB matrix, including the initiation, development, gathering and macroscopic crack. Finally, the stress-strain simulation curve was compared with the experiment curves. The result shows that the bilinear cohesive zone model can accurately describe the debonding and fracture process between the AP particles and HTPB matrix under the uniaxial tension loading.

  15. Imaging of alpha(v)beta(3) expression by a bifunctional chimeric RGD peptide not cross-reacting with alpha(v)beta(5).

    PubMed

    Zannetti, Antonella; Del Vecchio, Silvana; Iommelli, Francesca; Del Gatto, Annarita; De Luca, Stefania; Zaccaro, Laura; Papaccioli, Angela; Sommella, Jvana; Panico, Mariarosaria; Speranza, Antonio; Grieco, Paolo; Novellino, Ettore; Saviano, Michele; Pedone, Carlo; Salvatore, Marco

    2009-08-15

    To test whether a novel bifunctional chimeric peptide comprising a cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp pentapeptide covalently bound to an echistatin domain can discriminate alpha(v)beta(3) from alpha(v)beta(5) integrin, thus allowing the in vivo selective visualization of alpha(v)beta(3) expression by single-photon and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The chimeric peptide was preliminarily tested for inhibition of alpha(v)beta(3)-dependent cell adhesion and competition of 125I-echistatin binding to membrane of stably transfected K562 cells expressing alpha(v)beta(3) (Kalpha(v)beta(3)) or alpha(v)beta(5) (Kalpha(v)beta(5)) integrin. The chimeric peptide was then conjugated with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and labeled with 111In for single-photon imaging, whereas a one-step procedure was used for labeling the full-length peptide and a truncated derivative, lacking the last five C-terminal amino acids, with 18F for PET imaging. Nude mice bearing tumors from Kalpha(v)beta(3), Kalpha(v)beta(5), U87MG human glioblastoma, and A431 human epidermoid cells were subjected to single-photon and PET imaging. Adhesion and competitive binding assays showed that the novel chimeric peptide selectively binds to alpha(v)beta(3) integrin and does not cross-react with alpha(v)beta(5). In agreement with in vitro findings, single-photon and PET imaging studies showed that the radiolabeled chimeric peptide selectively localizes in tumor xenografts expressing alphavbeta3 and fails to accumulate in those expressing alpha(v)beta(5) integrin. When 18F-labeled truncated derivative was used for PET imaging, alphavbeta3- and alpha(v)beta(5)-expressing tumors were visualized, indicating that the five C-terminal amino acids are required to differentially bind the two integrins. Our findings indicate that the novel chimeric Arg-Gly-Asp peptide, having no cross-reaction with alphavbeta5 integrin, allows highly selective alphavbeta3 expression imaging and monitoring.

  16. Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay with the Upgraded EXO-200 Detector

    DOE PAGES

    Albert, J. B.; Anton, G.; Badhrees, I.; ...

    2018-02-15

    Results from a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) of 136Xe are presented using the first year of data taken with the upgraded EXO-200 detector. Relative to previous searches by EXO-200, the energy resolution of the detector has been improved to σ/E = 1.23 % , the electric field in the drift region has been raised by 50%, and a system to suppress radon in the volume between the cryostat and lead shielding has been implemented. In addition, analysis techniques that improve topological discrimination between 0νββ and background events have been developed. Incorporating these hardware and analysis improvements, the medianmore » 90% confidence level 0νββ half-life sensitivity after combining with the full data set acquired before the upgrade has increased twofold to 3.7 × 10 25 yr . Finally, no statistically significant evidence for 0νββ is observed, leading to a lower limit on the 0νββ half-life of 1.8 × 10 25 yr at the 90% confidence level.« less

  17. Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay with the Upgraded EXO-200 Detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Albert, J. B.; Anton, G.; Badhrees, I.; Barbeau, P. S.; Bayerlein, R.; Beck, D.; Belov, V.; Breidenbach, M.; Brunner, T.; Cao, G. F.; Cen, W. R.; Chambers, C.; Cleveland, B.; Coon, M.; Craycraft, A.; Cree, W.; Daniels, T.; Danilov, M.; Daugherty, S. J.; Daughhetee, J.; Davis, J.; Delaquis, S.; Der Mesrobian-Kabakian, A.; DeVoe, R.; Didberidze, T.; Dilling, J.; Dolgolenko, A.; Dolinski, M. J.; Fairbank, W.; Farine, J.; Feyzbakhsh, S.; Fierlinger, P.; Fudenberg, D.; Gornea, R.; Graham, K.; Gratta, G.; Hall, C.; Hansen, E. V.; Hoessl, J.; Hufschmidt, P.; Hughes, M.; Jamil, A.; Jewell, M. J.; Johnson, A.; Johnston, S.; Karelin, A.; Kaufman, L. J.; Koffas, T.; Kravitz, S.; Krücken, R.; Kuchenkov, A.; Kumar, K. S.; Lan, Y.; Leonard, D. S.; Li, G. S.; Li, S.; Licciardi, C.; Lin, Y. H.; MacLellan, R.; Michel, T.; Mong, B.; Moore, D.; Murray, K.; Nelson, R.; Njoya, O.; Odian, A.; Ostrovskiy, I.; Piepke, A.; Pocar, A.; Retière, F.; Rowson, P. C.; Russell, J. J.; Schmidt, S.; Schubert, A.; Sinclair, D.; Stekhanov, V.; Tarka, M.; Tolba, T.; Tsang, R.; Vogel, P.; Vuilleumier, J.-L.; Wagenpfeil, M.; Waite, A.; Walton, T.; Weber, M.; Wen, L. J.; Wichoski, U.; Wrede, G.; Yang, L.; Yen, Y.-R.; Zeldovich, O. Ya.; Zettlemoyer, J.; Ziegler, T.; EXO-200 Collaboration

    2018-02-01

    Results from a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0 ν β β ) of 136Xe are presented using the first year of data taken with the upgraded EXO-200 detector. Relative to previous searches by EXO-200, the energy resolution of the detector has been improved to σ /E =1.23 % , the electric field in the drift region has been raised by 50%, and a system to suppress radon in the volume between the cryostat and lead shielding has been implemented. In addition, analysis techniques that improve topological discrimination between 0 ν β β and background events have been developed. Incorporating these hardware and analysis improvements, the median 90% confidence level 0 ν β β half-life sensitivity after combining with the full data set acquired before the upgrade has increased twofold to 3.7 ×1025 yr . No statistically significant evidence for 0 ν β β is observed, leading to a lower limit on the 0 ν β β half-life of 1.8 ×1025 yr at the 90% confidence level.

  18. Study of a spherical Xenon gas TPC for neutrinoless double beta detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meregaglia, A.; Busto, J.; Cerna, C.; Chauveau, M.; Dastgheibi-Fard, A.; Jollet, C.; Jullian, S.; Katsioulas, I.; Giomataris, I.; Gros, M.; Lautridou, P.; Marquet, C.; Navick, X. F.; Perrot, F.; Piquemal, F.; Simard, L.; Zampaolo, M.

    2018-01-01

    Several efforts are ongoing for the development of spherical gaseous time projection chamber detectors for the observation of rare phenomena such as weakly interacting massive particles or neutrino interactions. The proposed detector, thanks to its simplicity, low energy threshold and energy resolution, could be used to observe the ββ0ν process i.e. the neutrinoless double beta decay. In this work, a specific setup is presented for the measurement of ββ0ν on 50 kg of 136Xe. The different backgrounds are studied, demonstrating the possibility to reach a total background per year in the detector mass at the level of 2 events per year. The obtained results are competitive with the present generation of experiments and could represent the first step of a more ambitious roadmap including the ββ0ν search with different gases with the same detector and therefore the same background sources. The constraints in terms of detector constructions and material purity are also addressed, showing that none of them represents a show stopper for the proposed experimental setup.

  19. Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay with the Upgraded EXO-200 Detector

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Albert, J. B.; Anton, G.; Badhrees, I.

    Results from a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) of 136Xe are presented using the first year of data taken with the upgraded EXO-200 detector. Relative to previous searches by EXO-200, the energy resolution of the detector has been improved to σ/E = 1.23 % , the electric field in the drift region has been raised by 50%, and a system to suppress radon in the volume between the cryostat and lead shielding has been implemented. In addition, analysis techniques that improve topological discrimination between 0νββ and background events have been developed. Incorporating these hardware and analysis improvements, the medianmore » 90% confidence level 0νββ half-life sensitivity after combining with the full data set acquired before the upgrade has increased twofold to 3.7 × 10 25 yr . Finally, no statistically significant evidence for 0νββ is observed, leading to a lower limit on the 0νββ half-life of 1.8 × 10 25 yr at the 90% confidence level.« less

  20. Folding cooperativity in a three-stranded beta-sheet model.

    PubMed

    Roe, Daniel R; Hornak, Viktor; Simmerling, Carlos

    2005-09-16

    The thermodynamic behavior of a previously designed three-stranded beta-sheet was studied via several microseconds of standard and replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations. The system is shown to populate at least four thermodynamic minima, including two partially folded states in which only a single hairpin is formed. Simulated melting curves show different profiles for the C and N-terminal hairpins, consistent with differences in secondary structure content in published NMR and CD/FTIR measurements, which probed different regions of the chain. Individual beta-hairpins that comprise the three-stranded beta-sheet are observed to form cooperatively. Partial folding cooperativity between the component hairpins is observed, and good agreement between calculated and experimental values quantifying this cooperativity is obtained when similar analysis techniques are used. However, the structural detail in the ensemble of conformations sampled in the simulations permits a more direct analysis of this cooperativity than has been performed on the basis of experimental data. The results indicate the actual folding cooperativity perpendicular to strand direction is significantly larger than the lower bound obtained previously.

  1. The α-Secretase-derived N-terminal Product of Cellular Prion, N1, Displays Neuroprotective Function in Vitro and in Vivo*

    PubMed Central

    Guillot-Sestier, Marie-Victoire; Sunyach, Claire; Druon, Charlotte; Scarzello, Sabine; Checler, Frédéric

    2009-01-01

    Cellular prion protein (PrPc) undergoes a disintegrin-mediated physiological cleavage, generating a soluble amino-terminal fragment (N1), the function of which remained unknown. Recombinant N1 inhibits staurosporine-induced caspase-3 activation by modulating p53 transcription and activity, whereas the PrPc-derived pathological fragment (N2) remains biologically inert. Furthermore, N1 protects retinal ganglion cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis, reduces the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling-positive and p53-immunoreactive neurons in a pressure-induced ischemia model of the rat retina and triggers a partial recovery of b-waves but not a-waves of rat electroretinograms. Our work is the first demonstration that the α-secretase-derived PrPc fragment N1, but not N2, displays in vivo and in vitro neuroprotective function by modulating p53 pathway. It further demonstrates that distinct N-terminal cleavage products of PrPc harbor different biological activities underlying the various phenotypes linking PrPc to cell survival. PMID:19850936

  2. Determination of the direction to a source of antineutrinos via inverse beta decay in Double Chooz

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nikitenko, Ya.

    2016-11-01

    To determine the direction to a source of neutrinos (and antineutrinos) is an important problem for the physics of supernovae and of the Earth. The direction to a source of antineutrinos can be estimated through the reaction of inverse beta decay. We show that the reactor neutrino experiment Double Chooz has unique capabilities to study antineutrino signal from point-like sources. Contemporary experimental data on antineutrino directionality is given. A rigorous mathematical approach for neutrino direction studies has been developed. Exact expressions for the precision of the simple mean estimator of neutrinos' direction for normal and exponential distributions for a finite sample and for the limiting case of many events have been obtained.

  3. The "Tokyo" consensus on propeller flaps.

    PubMed

    Pignatti, Marco; Ogawa, Rei; Hallock, Geoffrey G; Mateev, Musa; Georgescu, Alexandru V; Balakrishnan, Govindasamy; Ono, Shimpei; Cubison, Tania C S; D'Arpa, Salvatore; Koshima, Isao; Hyakusoku, Hikko

    2011-02-01

    Over the past few years, the use of propeller flaps, which base their blood supply on subcutaneous tissue or isolated perforators, has become increasingly popular. Because no consensus has yet been reached on terminology and nomenclature of the propeller flap, different and confusing uses of the term can be found in the literature. In this article, the authors report the consensus on the definition and classification of propeller flaps reached by the authors that gathered at the First Tokyo Meeting on Perforator and Propeller Flaps in June of 2009. Some peculiar aspects of the surgical technique are discussed. A propeller flap can be defined as an "island flap that reaches the recipient site through an axial rotation." The classification is based on the nourishing pedicle (subcutaneous pedicled propeller flap, perforator pedicled propeller flap, supercharged propeller flap), the degrees of skin island rotation (90 to 180 degrees) and, when possible, the artery of origin of the perforator. The propeller flap is a useful reconstructive tool that can achieve good cosmetic and functional results. A flap should be called a propeller flap only if it fulfils the definition above. The type of nourishing pedicle, the source vessel (when known), and the degree of skin island rotation should be specified for each flap.

  4. Purification and characterization of a liver-derived beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase from marine mammal Sotalia fluviatilis.

    PubMed

    Gomes Júnior, J E; Souza, D S L; Nascimento, R M; Lima, A L M; Melo, J A T; Rocha, T L; Miller, R N G; Franco, O L; Grossi-de-Sa, M F; Abreu, L R D

    2010-04-01

    A beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) was purified from hepatic extracts of Sotalia fluviatilis, order Cetacea. The protein was purified by using ammonium sulfate fractionation and four subsequent chromatographies (Biogel A 1.5 m, Chitin, Deae-Biogel and hydroxyapatite resins). After these purification steps, the enzyme was purified 380.5-fold with an 8.4% yield. The molecular mass (10 kDa) was estimated by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF analysis. A Km of 2.72 mM and Vmax 9.5 x 10(-6) micromol/(min x mg) were found for this enzyme, determined by p-nitrophenyl-beta-D: -hexosaminide substrate digestion. Optimal pH and temperature for beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase activity were 5.0 and 60 degrees C, respectively. Enzyme activity was inhibited by sodium selenate (Na(2)SeO(4)), mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (C(12)H(25)SO(4)Na), and activated by zinc, calcium, barium and lithium ions. Characterization of the beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase in Sotalia fluviatilis can be a basis for physiological studies in this species.

  5. Improving the Performance of Multi-engined Airplanes by Means of Idling Propellers : the "free-wheel" Propeller

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pillard, M

    1930-01-01

    In order to demonstrate the importance of free-wheeling propellers, this report considers the braking effect of a propeller on a stopped engine when the propeller is rigidly connected with the engine shaft and also when mounted on a free-wheel hub. The cases of propellers of asymmetric and symmetric section are discussed. The author describes the mechanism of the free-wheel propeller as constructed for this test. The results obtained with the device mounted on a 1,000 horsepower two-engine airplane are given.

  6. Fas Apoptosis Inhibitory Molecule (FAIM) Contains a Novel Beta Sandwich in Contact with a Partially Ordered Domain

    PubMed Central

    Hemond, Michael; Rothstein, Thomas L.; Wagner, Gerhard

    2009-01-01

    Summary Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM) is a soluble cytosolic protein inhibitor of programmed cell death and is found in organisms throughout the animal kingdom. A short isoform (FAIM-S) is expressed in all tissue types, while an alternatively spliced long isoform (FAIM-L) is specifically expressed in the brain. Here FAIM-S is shown to consist of two independently folding domains in contact with one another. The NMR solution structure of the C-terminal domain of murine FAIM is solved in isolation and revealed to be a novel protein fold, a noninterleaved seven-stranded beta sandwich. The structure and sequence reveal several residues that are likely to be involved in functionally significant interactions with the N-terminal domain or other binding partners. Chemical shift perturbation is used to elucidate contacts made between the N- and C-terminal domains. PMID:19168072

  7. Localization of the Bacillus subtilis beta-propeller phytase transcripts in nodulated roots of Phaseolus vulgaris supplied with phytate.

    PubMed

    Maougal, Rim Tinhinen; Bargaz, Adnane; Sahel, Charaf; Amenc, Laurie; Djekoun, Abdelhamid; Plassard, Claude; Drevon, Jean-Jacques

    2014-04-01

    Soil organic phosphorus (Po) such as phytate, which comprises up to 80 % of total Po, must be hydrolyzed by specific enzymes called phytases to be used by plants. In contrast to plants, bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, have the ability to use phytate as the sole source of P due to the excretion of a beta-propeller phytase (BPP). In order to assess whether the B. subtilis BPP could make P available from phytate for the benefit of a nodulated legume, the P-sensitive recombinant inbred line RIL147 of Phaseolus vulgaris was grown under hydroaeroponic conditions with either 12.5 μM phytate (C₆H₁₈O₂₄P₆) or 75 μmol Pi (K₂HPO₄), and inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 alone, or co-inoculated with both B. subtilis DSM 10 and CIAT899. The in situ RT-PCR of BPP genes displayed the most intense fluorescent BPP signal on root tips. Some BPP signal was found inside the root cortex and the endorhizosphere of the root tip, suggesting endophytic bacteria expressing BPP. However, the co-inoculation with B. subtilis was associated with a decrease in plant P content, nodulation and the subsequent plant growth. Such a competitive effect of B. subtilis on P acquisition from phytate in symbiotic nitrogen fixation might be circumvented if the rate of inoculation were reasoned in order to avoid the inhibition of nodulation by excess B. subtilis proliferation. It is concluded that B. subtilis BPP gene is expressed in P. vulgaris rhizosphere.

  8. 0{nu}{beta}{beta}-decay nuclear matrix elements with self-consistent short-range correlations

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Simkovic, Fedor; Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, JINR, RU-141 980 Dubna, Moscow region; Department of Nuclear Physics, Comenius University, Mlynska dolina F1, SK-842 15 Bratislava

    A self-consistent calculation of nuclear matrix elements of the neutrinoless double-beta decays (0{nu}{beta}{beta}) of {sup 76}Ge, {sup 82}Se, {sup 96}Zr, {sup 100}Mo, {sup 116}Cd, {sup 128}Te, {sup 130}Te, and {sup 136}Xe is presented in the framework of the renormalized quasiparticle random phase approximation (RQRPA) and the standard QRPA. The pairing and residual interactions as well as the two-nucleon short-range correlations are for the first time derived from the same modern realistic nucleon-nucleon potentials, namely, from the charge-dependent Bonn potential (CD-Bonn) and the Argonne V18 potential. In a comparison with the traditional approach of using the Miller-Spencer Jastrow correlations, matrix elementsmore » for the 0{nu}{beta}{beta} decay are obtained that are larger in magnitude. We analyze the differences among various two-nucleon correlations including those of the unitary correlation operator method (UCOM) and quantify the uncertainties in the calculated 0{nu}{beta}{beta}-decay matrix elements.« less

  9. Acetylation within the N- and C-Terminal Domains of Src Regulates Distinct Roles of STAT3-Mediated Tumorigenesis.

    PubMed

    Huang, Chao; Zhang, Zhe; Chen, Lihan; Lee, Hank W; Ayrapetov, Marina K; Zhao, Ting C; Hao, Yimei; Gao, Jinsong; Yang, Chunzhang; Mehta, Gautam U; Zhuang, Zhengping; Zhang, Xiaoren; Hu, Guohong; Chin, Y Eugene

    2018-06-01

    Posttranslational modifications of mammalian c-Src N-terminal and C-terminal domains regulate distinct functions. Myristoylation of G 2 controls its cell membrane association and phosphorylation of Y419/Y527 controls its activation or inactivation, respectively. We provide evidence that Src-cell membrane association-dissociation and catalytic activation-inactivation are both regulated by acetylation. In EGF-treated cells, CREB binding protein (CBP) acetylates an N-terminal lysine cluster (K5, K7, and K9) of c-Src to promote dissociation from the cell membrane. CBP also acetylates the C-terminal K401, K423, and K427 of c-Src to activate intrinsic kinase activity for STAT3 recruitment and activation. N-terminal domain phosphorylation (Y14, Y45, and Y68) of STAT3 by c-Src activates transcriptionally active dimers of STAT3. Moreover, acetyl-Src translocates into nuclei, where it forms the Src-STAT3 enhanceosome for gene regulation and cancer cell proliferation. Thus, c-Src acetylation in the N-terminal and C-terminal domains play distinct roles in Src activity and regulation. Significance: CBP-mediated acetylation of lysine clusters in both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of c-Src provides additional levels of control over STAT3 transcriptional activity. Cancer Res; 78(11); 2825-38. ©2018 AACR . ©2018 American Association for Cancer Research.

  10. Structure and Active Stie Residues of Pg1D, an N-Acetyltransferase from the Bacillosamine Synthetic Pathway Required for N-Glycan Synthesis in Campylobacter jejuni

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rangarajan,E.; Ruane, K.; Sulea, T.

    2008-01-01

    Campylobacter jejuni is highly unusual among bacteria in forming N-linked glycoproteins. The heptasaccharide produced by its pgl system is attached to protein Asn through its terminal 2, 4-diacetamido-2, 4,6-trideoxy-d-Glc (QuiNAc4NAc or N, N'-diacetylbacillosamine) moiety. The crucial, last part of this sugar's synthesis is the acetylation of UDP-2-acetamido-4-amino-2, 4,6-trideoxy-d-Glc by the enzyme PglD, with acetyl-CoA as a cosubstrate. We have determined the crystal structures of PglD in CoA-bound and unbound forms, refined to 1.8 and 1.75 Angstroms resolution, respectively. PglD is a trimer of subunits each comprised of two domains, an N-terminal {alpha}/{beta}-domain and a C-terminal left-handed {beta}-helix. Few structural differencesmore » accompany CoA binding, except in the C-terminal region following the {beta}-helix (residues 189-195), which adopts an extended structure in the unbound form and folds to extend the {beta}-helix upon binding CoA. Computational molecular docking suggests a different mode of nucleotide-sugar binding with respect to the acetyl-CoA donor, with the molecules arranged in an 'L-shape', compared with the 'in-line' orientation in related enzymes. Modeling indicates that the oxyanion intermediate would be stabilized by the NH group of Gly143', with His125' the most likely residue to function as a general base, removing H+ from the amino group prior to nucleophilic attack at the carbonyl carbon of acetyl-CoA. Site-specific mutations of active site residues confirmed the importance of His125', Glu124', and Asn118. We conclude that Asn118 exerts its function by stabilizing the intricate hydrogen bonding network within the active site and that Glu124' may function to increase the pKa of the putative general base, His125'.« less

  11. Characteristics of Five Propellers in Flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Crowley, J W , Jr; Mixson, R E

    1928-01-01

    This investigation was made for the purpose of determining the characteristics of five full-scale propellers in flight. The equipment consisted of five propellers in conjunction with a VE-7 airplane and a Wright E-2 engine. The propellers were of the same diameter and aspect ratio. Four of them differed uniformly in thickness and pitch and the fifth propeller was identical with one of the other four with exception of a change of the airfoil section. The propeller efficiencies measured in flight are found to be consistently lower than those obtained in model tests. It is probable that this is mainly a result of the higher tip speeds used in the full-scale tests. The results show also that because of differences in propeller deflections it is difficult to obtain accurate comparisons of propeller characteristics. From this it is concluded that for accurate comparisons it is necessary to know the propeller pitch angles under actual operating conditions. (author)

  12. Destruction of propellant magazine, November 1982

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tozer, N. H.

    1984-08-01

    Details on the destruction of a propellant magazine are given. The properties of single base propellants are discussed. Although single base propellants have been around for one hundred years, production of this type of propellant in Australia only commenced during World War 2 when appropriate plant and know how were provided under the Lend Lease Scheme. Most of the single base propellants made at Mulwala Explosives Factory have been of the IMR type i.e., single perforated tubular granules with their surface coated with DNT for use in small to medium calibre ammunition. Since production started at Mulwala Explosives Factory in 1944 some fourteen different versions of style of propellant have been manufactured. Four versions only were made up until 1957 and these were identified with an IMR type number matching the US propellants from which they were copied. New varieties introduced since 1957 have been identified with an AR aeries number commencing with AR2001 - the original Australian 7.62 mm rifle propellant.

  13. Nitramine smokeless propellant research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1977-01-01

    A transient ballistics and combustion model was derived to represent the closed vessel experiment that is widely used to characterize propellants. The model incorporates the nitramine combustion mechanisms. A computer program was developed to solve the time dependent equations, and was applied to explain aspects of closed vessel behavior. It is found that the rate of pressurization in the closed vessel is insufficient at pressures of interest to augment the burning rate by time dependent processes. Series of T-burner experiments were performed to compare the combustion instability characteristics of nitramine (HMX) containing propellants and ammonium perchlorate (AP) propellants. It is found that the inclusion of HMX consistently renders the propellant more stable.

  14. An Optimization Method for the Reduction of Propeller Unsteady Forces.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-02-01

    unsteady forces and the determination of skew distribulee has been developed. The current method provides an efficient propeller design tool capable...62633N HM35 SF33321 DN305 123 11. TITLE (ft .WC*i=iW) An Optimization Method for the Reduction of Propeller Unsteady Forces 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) T.S...of determining a variety of cubic or quadratic skew distributioms, subject to constraints, which minimize the unsteady forces produced by the various

  15. An investigation of proton pair correlations relevant to the neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ticehurst, David R.

    The observation of neutrinoless double beta decay (0nubetabeta ) would demonstrate that the neutrino is a Majorana particle and allow determination of its mass by comparing the measured decay rate to the calculated rate. The main uncertainty in the calculation of the 0 nubetabeta rate is due to uncertainties in the nuclear structure models used in the computation of the nuclear matrix elements for the decay process. This project tested the validity of using wavefunctions for the nuclear states involved in the 0nubetabeta process that are based on a first-order application of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory of superconductivity. In the BCS approximation, most of the strength for two-nucleon transfer reactions should be for transitions to the 0 + ground state of the final nucleus (i.e., little strength should go to the 0+ excited states). This experiment measured the strength to the first 0+ excited state for the 74Ge( 3He,n)76Se and 76Ge( 3He,n)78Se reactions relative to the strength for transition to the 0+ ground state in selenium. For both nuclei, and at 3He beam energies of 15 and 21 MeV, the observed relative strength for transfer to the first 0+ excited state was less than 13%. This result supports the validity of using the BCS approximation to describe the ground state of both 76Se and 78Se and is consistent with the results of recent ( 3He,n) cross section measurements on 74Ge and 76Ge. In addition, the magnitude and shape of the measured angular distributions suggest that contribution of the sequential two-nucleon transfer process, which is an indicator of long-range nucleon-nucleon correlations, is over-predicted by the DWBA code FRESCO.

  16. Structure of the Tropomyosin Overlap Complex from Chicken Smooth Muscle: Insight into the Diversity of N-Terminal Recognition

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Frye, Jeremiah; Klenchin, Vadim A.; Rayment, Ivan

    Tropomyosin is a stereotypical {alpha}-helical coiled coil that polymerizes to form a filamentous macromolecular assembly that lies on the surface of F-actin. The interaction between the C-terminal and N-terminal segments on adjacent molecules is known as the overlap region. We report here two X-ray structures of the chicken smooth muscle tropomyosin overlap complex. A novel approach was used to stabilize the C-terminal and N-terminal fragments. Globular domains from both the human DNA ligase binding protein XRCC4 and bacteriophage {phi}29 scaffolding protein Gp7 were fused to 37 and 28 C-terminal amino acid residues of tropomyosin, respectively, whereas the 29 N-terminal aminomore » acids of tropomyosin were fused to the C-terminal helix bundle of microtubule binding protein EB1. The structures of both the XRCC4 and Gp7 fusion proteins complexed with the N-terminal EB1 fusion contain a very similar helix bundle in the overlap region that encompasses {approx}15 residues. The C-terminal coiled coil opens to allow formation of the helix bundle, which is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. These structures are similar to that observed in the NMR structure of the rat skeletal overlap complex [Greenfield, N. J., et al. (2006) J. Mol. Biol. 364, 80-96]. The interactions between the N- and C-terminal coiled coils of smooth muscle tropomyosin show significant curvature, which differs somewhat between the two structures and implies flexibility in the overlap complex, at least in solution. This is likely an important attribute that allows tropomyosin to assemble around the actin filaments. These structures provide a molecular explanation for the role of N-acetylation in the assembly of native tropomyosin.« less

  17. N-terminal domain of the dual-targeted pea glutathione reductase signal peptide controls organellar targeting efficiency.

    PubMed

    Rudhe, Charlotta; Clifton, Rachel; Whelan, James; Glaser, Elzbieta

    2002-12-06

    Import of nuclear-encoded proteins into mitochondria and chloroplasts is generally organelle specific and its specificity depends on the N-terminal signal peptide. Yet, a group of proteins known as dual-targeted proteins have a targeting peptide capable of leading the mature protein to both organelles. We have investigated the domain structure of the dual-targeted pea glutathione reductase (GR) signal peptide by using N-terminal truncations. A mutant of the GR precursor (pGR) starting with the second methionine residue of the targeting peptide, pGRdelta2-4, directed import into both organelles, negating the possibility that dual import was controlled by the nature of the N terminus. The deletion of the 30 N-terminal residues (pGRdelta2-30) inhibited import efficiency into chloroplasts substantially and almost completely into mitochondria, whereas the removal of only 16 N-terminal amino acid residues (pGRdelta2-16) resulted in the strongly stimulated mitochondrial import without significantly affecting chloroplast import. Furthermore, N-terminal truncations of the signal peptide (pGRdelta2-16 and pGRdelta2-30) greatly stimulated the mitochondrial processing activity measured with the isolated processing peptidase. These results suggest a domain structure for the dual-targeting peptide of pGR and the existence of domains controlling organellar import efficiency therein.

  18. Structure of bacteriophage T4 fibritin: a segmented coiled coil and the role of the C-terminal domain.

    PubMed

    Tao, Y; Strelkov, S V; Mesyanzhinov, V V; Rossmann, M G

    1997-06-15

    Oligomeric coiled-coil motifs are found in numerous protein structures; among them is fibritin, a structural protein of bacteriophage T4, which belongs to a class of chaperones that catalyze a specific phage-assembly process. Fibritin promotes the assembly of the long tail fibers and their subsequent attachment to the tail baseplate; it is also a sensing device that controls the retraction of the long tail fibers in adverse environments and, thus, prevents infection. The structure of fibritin had been predicted from sequence and biochemical analyses to be mainly a triple-helical coiled coil. The determination of its structure at atomic resolution was expected to give insights into the assembly process and biological function of fibritin, and the properties of modified coiled-coil structures in general. The three-dimensional structure of fibritin E, a deletion mutant of wild-type fibritin, was determined to 2.2 A resolution by X-ray crystallography. Three identical subunits of 119 amino acid residues form a trimeric parallel coiled-coil domain and a small globular C-terminal domain about a crystallographic threefold axis. The coiled-coil domain is divided into three segments that are separated by insertion loops. The C-terminal domain, which consists of 30 residues from each subunit, contains a beta-propeller-like structure with a hydrophobic interior. The residues within the C-terminal domain make extensive hydrophobic and some polar intersubunit interactions. This is consistent with the C-terminal domain being important for the correct assembly of fibritin, as shown earlier by mutational studies. Tight interactions between the C-terminal residues of adjacent subunits counteract the latent instability that is suggested by the structural properties of the coiled-coil segments. Trimerization is likely to begin with the formation of the C-terminal domain which subsequently initiates the assembly of the coiled coil. The interplay between the stabilizing effect of the C-terminal

  19. 14 CFR 21.129 - Tests: propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Tests: propellers. 21.129 Section 21.129... PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCTS AND PARTS Production Under Type Certificate § 21.129 Tests: propellers. Each person manufacturing propellers under a type certificate must give each variable pitch propeller an acceptable...

  20. Miro's N-Terminal GTPase Domain Is Required for Transport of Mitochondria into Axons and Dendrites

    PubMed Central

    Babic, Milos; Russo, Gary J.; Wellington, Andrea J.; Sangston, Ryan M.; Gonzalez, Migdalia

    2015-01-01

    Mitochondria are dynamically transported in and out of neuronal processes to maintain neuronal excitability and synaptic function. In higher eukaryotes, the mitochondrial GTPase Miro binds Milton/TRAK adaptor proteins linking microtubule motors to mitochondria. Here we show that Drosophila Miro (dMiro), which has previously been shown to be required for kinesin-driven axonal transport, is also critically required for the dynein-driven distribution of mitochondria into dendrites. In addition, we used the loss-of-function mutations dMiroT25N and dMiroT460N to determine the significance of dMiro's N-terminal and C-terminal GTPase domains, respectively. Expression of dMiroT25N in the absence of endogenous dMiro caused premature lethality and arrested development at a pupal stage. dMiroT25N accumulated mitochondria in the soma of larval motor and sensory neurons, and prevented their kinesin-dependent and dynein-dependent distribution into axons and dendrites, respectively. dMiroT25N mutant mitochondria also were severely fragmented and exhibited reduced kinesin and dynein motility in axons. In contrast, dMiroT460N did not impair viability, mitochondrial size, or the distribution of mitochondria. However, dMiroT460N reduced dynein motility during retrograde mitochondrial transport in axons. Finally, we show that substitutions analogous to the constitutively active Ras-G12V mutation in dMiro's N-terminal and C-terminal GTPase domains cause neomorphic phenotypic effects that are likely unrelated to the normal function of each GTPase domain. Overall, our analysis indicates that dMiro's N-terminal GTPase domain is critically required for viability, mitochondrial size, and the distribution of mitochondria out of the neuronal soma regardless of the employed motor, likely by promoting the transition from a stationary to a motile state. PMID:25855186

  1. Large-Eddy Simulation of Propeller Crashback

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Praveen; Mahesh, Krishnan

    2013-11-01

    Crashback is an operating condition to quickly stop a propelled vehicle, where the propeller is rotated in the reverse direction to yield negative thrust. The crashback condition is dominated by the interaction of free stream flow with strong reverse flow. Crashback causes highly unsteady loads and flow separation on blade surface. This study uses Large-Eddy Simulation to predict the highly unsteady flow field in propeller crashback. Results are shown for a stand-alone open propeller, hull-attached open propeller and a ducted propeller. The simulations are compared to experiment, and used to discuss the essential physics behind the unsteady loads. This work is supported by the Office of Naval Research.

  2. Propellant Reuse/Recovery Technology

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-08-31

    viscosity of the nitrocellulose (NC) determine the solvent/solvent and solvent/propellant ratios required to properly resolvate the propellant. It was also...plasticization. An 11-min drying cycle was required to remove the excess solvent from the over-solvated propellant. To improve plasticization using...solvent, and (4) 15-min mix cycle. To eliminate the drying cycle and determine that a 15-min mix cycle will resolvate the propellart, an additional 1 h

  3. Neutrinoless double beta decay in Gerda

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grabmayr, Peter; Gerda Collaboration

    2015-10-01

    The Germanium Detector Array (Gerda) experiment searches for the neutrinoless double beta decay in 76Ge. This lepton number violating process is predicted by extensions of the standard model. Gerda follows a staged approach by increasing mass and lowering the background level from phase to phase. Gerda is setup at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory of INFN, Italy. An array of high-purity germanium detectors is lowered directly in liquid argon for shielding and cooling. Further background reduction is achieved by an instrumented water buffer. In Phase I an exposure of 21.6 kg yr was collected at a background level of 10-2 cts/(keV kg yr). The lower limit on the half-life of 76Ge > 2 . 1 .1025 yr (90% C.L.) has been published. Further analyses search for decay into excited states or the accompanied Majoron decay. Presently, Phase II is in preparation which intends to reach a background level of 10-3 cts/(keV kg yr) and to increase the exposure to 100 kg yr. About 20 kg of novel thick-window BEGe (Broad Energy Germanium) detectors will be added and the liquid argon will be instrumented. The status of Phase II preparation and results from the commissioning runs will be presented as well as some further results from Phase I.

  4. 14 CFR 21.129 - Tests: propellers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Tests: propellers. 21.129 Section 21.129... PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCTS AND PARTS Production Under Type Certificate Only § 21.129 Tests: propellers. Each person manufacturing propellers under a type certificate only shall give each variable pitch propeller an...

  5. Analysis of Liquid Propellant Exposed to Elastomeric Materials

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-12-01

    Rubber LP-l NBR -2 B. Nitrile Rubber LP-2 N-BR-8 LP-3 NBR -9 LP-4 1203-F60-R2, RADIAN LP-5 VT-380 ( NBR /PVC), RADIAN LP-6 BJLT MI-40, UNIROYAL LP-7 OZO-HA...0221 (70% NBR /30% PVC), UNIROYAL C. Carboxylated Nitrile Rubber LP-8 XNBR-2 LP-9 XN BR-3 LP-10 XNBR-6 D. Polychioroprene Rubber LP-11 CR-i LP-12 CR-2...compatibility of liquid propellants is also determined by the degradation of the propellant by decomposition, by the solution of ballistically undesirable

  6. Familial Alzheimer's disease mutations in presenilin 1 do not alter levels of the secreted amyloid-beta protein precursor generated by beta-secretase cleavage.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Can; Browne, Andrew; Kim, Doo Yeon; Tanzi, Rudolph E

    2010-02-01

    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an insidious and progressive disease with a genetically complex and heterogenous etiology. More than 200 fully penetrant mutations in the amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP), presenilin 1 (or PSEN1), and presenilin 2 (PSEN2) have been linked to early-onset familial AD (FAD). 177 PSEN1 FAD mutations have been identified so far and account for more than approximately 80% of all FAD mutations. All PSEN1 FAD mutations can increase the Abeta42:Abeta40 ratio with seemingly different and incompletely understood mechanisms. A recent study has shown that the 286 amino acid N-terminal fragment of APP (N-APP), a proteolytic product of beta-secretase-derived secreted form of APP (sAPPbeta), could bind the death receptor, DR6, and lead to neurodegeneration. Here we asked whether PSEN1 FAD mutations lead to neurodegeneration by modulating sAPPbeta levels. All four different PSEN1 FAD mutations tested (in three mammalian cell lines) did not alter sAPPbeta levels. Therefore PS1 mutations do not appear to contribute to AD pathogenesis via altered production of sAPPbeta.

  7. Effect of partial agonist activity in beta blockers in severe angina pectoris: a double blind comparison of pindolol and atenolol.

    PubMed Central

    Quyyumi, A A; Wright, C; Mockus, L; Fox, K M

    1984-01-01

    The use of beta adrenoceptor blockade in the treatment of rest angina is controversial, and the effects on severe angina of partial agonist activity in beta blockers are unknown. Eight patients with effort angina and seven with effort and nocturnal angina and severe coronary artery disease were studied initially when they were not taking any antianginal drugs. Pindolol 5 mg thrice daily (with partial agonist activity) and atenolol 100 mg daily (without partial agonist activity) were given for five days each in a double blind randomised manner. Diaries of angina were kept and treadmill exercise testing and ambulatory ST monitoring performed during the last 48 hours of each period of treatment. Daytime and nocturnal resting heart rates and the frequency of angina were significantly reduced by atenolol compared with pindolol (p less than 0.01). The duration of exercise was significantly increased and the frequency, duration, and magnitude of daytime and nocturnal episodes of ST segment depression on ambulatory monitoring were reduced by atenolol. Reduction in resting heart rate is important in the treatment of both effort and nocturnal angina. Partial agonist activity in beta adrenoceptor antagonists may be deleterious in patients with severe angina pectoris. PMID:6148991

  8. c-jun-N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-03-01

    1 AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-12-1-0431 TITLE: “c-jun-N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ” PRINCIPAL...TITLE AND SUBTITLE “c-jun-N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis” 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER... Lateral   Sclerosis ”   Final  Report:  Project  Period  Sept  2012-­‐Dec  2014     Personnel  List:     Feng,  Yangbo

  9. Performance analysis of SiGe double-gate N-MOSFET

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, A.; Kapoor, D.; Sharma, R.

    2017-04-01

    The major purpose of this paper is to find an alternative configuration that not only minimizes the limitations of single-gate (SG) MOSFETs but also provides the better replacement for future technology. In this paper, the electrical characteristics of SiGe double-gate N-MOSFET are demonstrated and compared with electrical characteristics of Si double-gate N-MOSFET. Furthermore, in this paper the electrical characteristics of Si double-gate N-MOSFET are demonstrated and compared with electrical characteristics of Si single-gate N-MOSFET. The simulations are carried out for the device at different operational voltages using Cogenda Visual TCAD tool. Moreover, we have designed its structure and studied both {I}{{d}}{-}{V}{{g}} characteristics for different voltages namely 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.8, 1 and 1.5 V and {I}{{d}}{-}{V}{{d}} characteristics for different voltages namely 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 V at work functions 4.5, 4.6 and 4.8 eV for this structure. The performance parameters investigated in this paper are threshold voltage, DIBL, subthreshold slope, GIDL, volume inversion and MMCR.

  10. Dual fluorescence of N-phenylanthranilic acid: Effect of solvents, pH and beta-cyclodextrin.

    PubMed

    Rajendiran, N; Balasubramanian, T

    2007-11-01

    Spectral characteristics of N-phenylanthranilic acid (NPAA) have been studied in different solvents, pH and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and compared with anthranilic acid (2-aminobenzoic acid, 2ABA). In all solvents a dual fluorescence is observed in NPAA, whereas 2ABA gives single emission. Combining the results observed in the absorption, fluorescence emission and fluorescence excitation spectra, it is found that strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IHB) interactions present in NPAA molecule. The inclusion complex of NPAA with beta-CD is analysed by UV-vis, fluorimetry, FT-IR, (1)H NMR, scanning electron microscope and AM 1 method. The above spectral studies show that NPAA forms a 1:1 inclusion complex with beta-CD and COOH group present in the beta-CD cavity. A mechanism is proposed to explain the inclusion process.

  11. Lattice-matched double dip-shaped BAlGaN/AlN quantum well structures for ultraviolet light emission devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Seoung-Hwan; Ahn, Doyeol

    2018-05-01

    Ultraviolet light emission characteristics of lattice-matched BxAlyGa1-x-y N/AlN quantum well (QW) structures with double AlGaN delta layers were investigated theoretically. In contrast to conventional single dip-shaped QW structure where the reduction effect of the spatial separation between electron and hole wave functions is negligible, proposed double dip-shaped QW shows significant enhancement of the ultraviolet light emission intensity from a BAlGaN/AlN QW structure due to the reduced spatial separation between electron and hole wave functions. The emission peak of the double dip-shaped QW structure is expected to be about three times larger than that of the conventional rectangular AlGaN/AlN QW structure.

  12. Production of recombinant human beta2-microglobulin for scintigraphic diagnosis of amyloidosis in uremia and hemodialysis.

    PubMed

    Linke, R P; Schäeffer, J; Gielow, P; Lindner, P; Lottspeich, F; Plückthun, A; Weiss, E H

    2000-02-01

    Amyloid of beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) origin can be diagnosed using 131I-radiolabelled-beta2m scintigraphy in patients with uremia and hemodialysis treatment. As the tracer beta2m is isolated from another patient, it carries the common risks, including viral infections such as Hepatitis B, C and HIV, which are associated with human plasma products. In order to exclude these risks we have produced recombinant human beta2m (rhbeta2m) in Escherichia coli. The expression vector pASK40DeltaLbeta2m(His)5 contains a C-terminal (His)5-tag for purification via immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC). Size exclusion chromatography on a Superose 12 column represents the second step of purification. The isolated rhbeta2mH5 reacted in an immunochemically identical manner to native human beta2m, and showed a single band of approximately 11.8 kDa in Western blot analysis and revealed a single spot in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed a single peak at the expected molecular mass of 12 415.8 Da. Uniformity was further proven by crystallization and N-terminal amino-acid sequence analysis. The rhbeta2mH5 protein was then produced under conditions that allow the intravenous use in humans. Intraveneously applied indium-111-labelled rhbeta2mH5 was monitored in hemodialysed patients with and without known beta2m-amyloidosis. The tracer was localized specifically to particular areas known to contain amyloid. Thus, this rhbeta2mH5 preparation is suitable for detecting amyloid-containing organs of the beta2m-class in vivo and fulfils the requirements of a tracer for common use. Finally, the use of indium-111 instead of iodine-131 has reduced the radioactive load and resulted in higher resolution.

  13. Status of the CUORE and results from the CUORE-0 neutrinoless double beta decay experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sisti, M.; Artusa, D. R.; Avignone, F. T.; Azzolini, O.; Balata, M.; Banks, T. I.; Bari, G.; Beeman, J.; Bellini, F.; Bersani, A.; Biassoni, M.; Brofferio, C.; Bucci, C.; Cai, X. Z.; Camacho, A.; Caminata, A.; Canonica, L.; Cao, X. G.; Capelli, S.; Cappelli, L.; Carbone, L.; Cardani, L.; Casali, N.; Cassina, L.; Chiesa, D.; Chott, N.; Clemenza, M.; Copello, S.; Cosmelli, C.; Cremonesi, O.; Creswick, R. J.; Cushman, J. S.; Dafinei, I.; Dally, A.; Datskov, V.; Dell'Oro, S.; Deninno, M. M.; Di Domizio, S.; di Vacri, M. L.; Drobizhev, A.; Ejzak, L.; Fang, D. Q.; Farach, H. A.; Faverzani, M.; Fernandes, G.; Ferri, E.; Ferroni, F.; Fiorini, E.; Franceschi, M. A.; Freedman, S. J.; Fujikawa, B. K.; Giachero, A.; Gironi, L.; Giuliani, A.; Gorla, P.; Gotti, C.; Gutierrez, T. D.; Haller, E. E.; Han, K.; Heeger, K. M.; Hennings-Yeomans, R.; Hickerson, K. P.; Huang, H. Z.; Kadel, R.; Keppel, G.; Kolomensky, Yu. G.; Li, Y. L.; Ligi, C.; Lim, K. E.; Liu, X.; Ma, Y. G.; Maiano, C.; Maino, M.; Martinez, M.; Maruyama, R. H.; Mei, Y.; Moggi, N.; Morganti, S.; Napolitano, T.; Nastasi, M.; Nisi, S.; Nones, C.; Norman, E. B.; Nucciotti, A.; O'Donnell, T.; Orio, F.; Orlandi, D.; Ouellet, J. L.; Pagliarone, C. E.; Pallavicini, M.; Palmieri, V.; Pattavina, L.; Pavan, M.; Pedretti, M.; Pessina, G.; Pettinacci, V.; Piperno, G.; Pira, C.; Pirro, S.; Pozzi, S.; Previtali, E.; Rosenfeld, C.; Rusconi, C.; Sala, E.; Sangiorgio, S.; Scielzo, N. D.; Smith, A. R.; Taffarello, L.; Tenconi, M.; Terranova, F.; Tian, W. D.; Tomei, C.; Trentalange, S.; Ventura, G.; Vignati, M.; Wang, B. S.; Wang, H. W.; Wielgus, L.; Wilson, J.; Winslow, L. A.; Wise, T.; Woodcraft, A.; Zanotti, L.; Zarra, C.; Zhang, G. Q.; Zhu, B. X.; Zucchelli, S.

    2016-04-01

    CUORE is a 741 kg array of TeO2 bolometers for the search of neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te. The detector is being constructed at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy, where it will start taking data in 2015. If the target background of 0.01 counts / (keV ṡkg ṡy) will be reached, in five years of data taking CUORE will have a 1σ half life sensitivity of 1026 y. CUORE-0 is a smaller experiment constructed to test and demonstrate the performances expected for CUORE. The detector is a single tower of 52 CUORE-like bolometers that started taking data in spring 2013. The status and perspectives of CUORE will be discussed, and the first CUORE-0 data will be presented.

  14. Hydrocarbon-Seeded Ignition System for Small Spacecraft Thrusters Using Ionic Liquid Propellants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Whitmore, Stephen A.; Merkley, Daniel P.; Eilers, Shannon D.; Taylor, Terry L.

    2013-01-01

    "Green" propellants based on Ionic-liquids (ILs) like Ammonium DiNitramide and Hydroxyl Ammonium Nitrate have recently been developed as reduced-hazard replacements for hydrazine. Compared to hydrazine, ILs offer up to a 50% improvement in available density-specific impulse. These materials present minimal vapor hazard at room temperature, and this property makes IL's potentially advantageous for "ride-share" launch opportunities where hazards introduced by hydrazine servicing are cost-prohibitive. Even though ILs present a reduced hazard compared to hydrazine, in crystalline form they are potentially explosive and are mixed in aqueous solutions to buffer against explosion. Unfortunately, the high water content makes IL-propellants difficult to ignite and currently a reliable "coldstart" capability does not exist. For reliable ignition, IL-propellants catalyst beds must be pre-heated to greater than 350 C before firing. The required preheat power source is substantial and presents a significant disadvantage for SmallSats where power budgets are extremely limited. Design and development of a "micro-hybrid" igniter designed to act as a "drop-in" replacement for existing IL catalyst beds is presented. The design requires significantly lower input energy and offers a smaller overall form factor. Unlike single-use "squib" pyrotechnic igniters, the system allows the gas generation cycle to be terminated and reinitiated on demand.

  15. Transforming growth factor beta-1 expression in macrophages of human chronic periapical diseases.

    PubMed

    Liang, Z-Z; Li, J; Huang, S-G

    2017-03-30

    The objective of this study was to observe the distribution of macrophages (MPs) expressing transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) in tissue samples from patients with different human chronic periapical diseases. In this study, samples were collected from 75 volunteers, who were divided into three groups according to classified standards, namely, healthy control (N = 25), periapical granuloma (N = 25), and periapical cyst (N = 25). The samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for more than 48 h, dehydrated, embedded, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathology. Double immunofluorescence was conducted to analyze the expression of TGF-β-CD14 double-positive MPs in periapical tissues. The number of double-positive cells (cells/mm 2 ) were significantly higher in the chronic periapical disease tissues (P < 0.01) compared to that in the control tissue; in addition, the density of TGF-β1-CD14 double positive cells was significantly higher in the periapical cyst group than in the periapical granuloma group (P < 0.01). The number of TGF-β1 expressing macrophages varied with human chronic periapical diseases. The TGF-β1-CD14 double-positive cells might play an important role in the pathology of human chronic periapical diseases.

  16. Application of theory to propeller design

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cox, G. G.; Morgan, W. B.

    1974-01-01

    The various theories concerning propeller design are discussed. The use of digital computers to obtain specific blade shapes to meet appropriate flow conditions is emphasized. The development of lifting-line and lifting surface configurations is analyzed. Ship propulsive performance and basic propeller design considerations are investigated. The characteristics of supercavitating propellers are compared with those of subcavitating propellers.

  17. 14 CFR 35.2 - Propeller configuration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Propeller configuration. 35.2 Section 35.2... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.2 Propeller configuration. The applicant must provide a list of all the... design of the propeller to be approved under § 21.31 of this chapter. [Amdt. No. 35-8, 73 FR 63346, Oct...

  18. 14 CFR 35.2 - Propeller configuration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Propeller configuration. 35.2 Section 35.2... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.2 Propeller configuration. The applicant must provide a list of all the... design of the propeller to be approved under § 21.31 of this chapter. [Amdt. No. 35-8, 73 FR 63346, Oct...

  19. 14 CFR 35.2 - Propeller configuration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Propeller configuration. 35.2 Section 35.2... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.2 Propeller configuration. The applicant must provide a list of all the... design of the propeller to be approved under § 21.31 of this chapter. [Amdt. 35-8, 73 FR 63346, Oct. 24...

  20. 14 CFR 35.2 - Propeller configuration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Propeller configuration. 35.2 Section 35.2... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.2 Propeller configuration. The applicant must provide a list of all the... design of the propeller to be approved under § 21.31 of this chapter. [Amdt. 35-8, 73 FR 63346, Oct. 24...

  1. 14 CFR 35.2 - Propeller configuration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Propeller configuration. 35.2 Section 35.2... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.2 Propeller configuration. The applicant must provide a list of all the... design of the propeller to be approved under § 21.31 of this chapter. [Amdt. 35-8, 73 FR 63346, Oct. 24...

  2. TGF-{beta} receptors, in a Smad-independent manner, are required for terminal skeletal muscle differentiation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Droguett, Rebeca; Cabello-Verrugio, Claudio; Santander, Cristian

    2010-09-10

    Skeletal muscle differentiation is strongly inhibited by transforming growth factor type {beta} (TGF-{beta}), although muscle formation as well as regeneration normally occurs in an environment rich in this growth factor. In this study, we evaluated the role of intracellular regulatory Smads proteins as well as TGF-{beta}-receptors (TGF-{beta}-Rs) during skeletal muscle differentiation. We found a decrease of TGF-{beta} signaling during differentiation. This phenomenon is explained by a decline in the levels of the regulatory proteins Smad-2, -3, and -4, a decrease in the phosphorylation of Smad-2 and lost of nuclear translocation of Smad-3 and -4 in response to TGF-{beta}. No changemore » in the levels and inhibitory function of Smad-7 was observed. In contrast, we found that TGF-{beta}-R type I (TGF-{beta}-RI) and type II (TGF-{beta}-RII) increased on the cell surface during skeletal muscle differentiation. To analyze the direct role of the serine/threonine kinase activities of TGF-{beta}-Rs, we used the specific inhibitor SB 431542 and the dominant-negative form of TGF-{beta}-RII lacking the cytoplasmic domain. The TGF-{beta}-Rs were important for successful muscle formation, determined by the induction of myogenin, creatine kinase activity, and myosin. Silencing of Smad-2/3 expression by specific siRNA treatments accelerated myogenin, myosin expression, and myotube formation; although when SB 431542 was present inhibition in myosin induction and myotube formation was observed, suggesting that these last steps of skeletal muscle differentiation require active TGF-{beta}-Rs. These results suggest that both down-regulation of Smad regulatory proteins and cell signaling through the TGF-{beta} receptors independent of Smad proteins are essential for skeletal muscle differentiation.« less

  3. The effects of lower than conventional doses of oral nadolol on relative beta 1/beta 2-adrenoceptor blockade.

    PubMed

    Wheeldon, N M; McDevitt, D G; Lipworth, B J

    1994-08-01

    1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative beta 1/beta 2 antagonist selectivity of the beta-adrenoceptor blocker nadolol, in lower than conventional clinical doses. 2. Eight normal volunteers received single oral doses of either placebo (PL), nadolol 5 mg (N5), 20 mg (N20) or 80 mg (N80) in a single-blind, randomised crossover design. beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonism was assessed by attenuation of exercise tachycardia, and beta 2-adrenoceptor blockade by effects on salbutamol-induced chronotropic, hypokalaemic and finger tremor responses. The relative percentage attenuation of beta 2 and beta 1-mediated responses was calculated and expressed as beta 2:beta 1 selectivity ratios. 3. Nadolol produced dose-related reductions in exercise tachycardia in keeping with increasing beta 1-adrenoceptor blockade; mean % reduction (95% CI) compared with placebo: N5 10.7 (6.6 to 14.8), N20 21.4 (17.3 to 25.4), N80 38.9 (34.8 to 42.9). However, even the lowest dose of nadolol (5 mg) produced almost complete blunting of beta 2-mediated effects and significantly increase exercise hyperkalaemia; peak exercise hyperkalaemia (mmol l-1) (means and 95% CI): PL 4.88 (4.68 to 5.07), N5 5.36 (5.17 to 5.55), N20 5.48 (5.28 to 5.67), N80 5.42 (5.22 to 5.61). beta 2:beta 1 selectivity ratios significantly increased as the dose of nadolol was reduced. 4. These data suggest that whereas in the clinical dose range nadolol behaves as a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, as the dose is reduced this drug demonstrates an increasing degree of selectivity for the beta 2-adrenoceptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  4. Bleriot Propeller Close-up

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-05-10

    This view from NASA's Cassini spacecraft shows Cassini's best image of the propeller feature known informally as Bleriot. The propeller is named after Louis Bleriot, the French engineer and aviator who in 1909 was the first person to fly across the English Channel. This is the third and final propeller to be targeted for a close flyby observation during Cassini's ring-grazing orbits (the period from Nov. 2016 to April 2017 when Cassini's orbit passed just outside the main rings). Because propellers are seen in the outermost parts of the main rings, the ring-grazing orbits provided Cassini's best opportunity to see them up close. Many small, bright specks and linear, scratch-like artifacts are visible in the image. These artifacts are due to cosmic rays and particles of radiation near the planet striking the camera detector during the exposure. Bleriot is the largest of the propellers in Saturn's rings. The wavy features embedded in the propeller structure indicate that its central moonlet is some 60 percent wider than that of Santos-Dumont, which means the Bleriot moonlet is about four times more massive. Cassini scientists have been tracking the orbit of this object for the past decade, tracing the effect that the ring has upon it. Because it is the biggest propeller, it is more easily seen in lower-resolution images than other propellers, and thus it can be spotted in the most images by far. Here, as Cassini moved in close to the rings as part of its ring-grazing orbits, it was able to obtain this extreme close-up view of the propeller, which enables researchers to examine its effects on the ring as never before. These views, and others like them, will inform models and studies in new ways going forward. This image was taken on the unilluminated side of the rings, where sunlight filters through the backlit ring. Like a frosted window, Saturn's rings look different depending on whether they are seen fully sunlit or backlit. On the lit side, the rings look darker

  5. Dual Role of Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activity in Bone Morphogenetic Protein-Mediated Drosophila Ventral Head Development.

    PubMed

    Park, Sung Yeon; Stultz, Brian G; Hursh, Deborah A

    2015-12-01

    The Drosophila bone morphogenetic protein encoded by decapentaplegic (dpp) controls ventral head morphogenesis by expression in the head primordia, eye-antennal imaginal discs. These are epithelial sacs made of two layers: columnar disc proper cells and squamous cells of the peripodial epithelium. dpp expression related to head formation occurs in the peripodial epithelium; cis-regulatory mutations disrupting this expression display defects in sensory vibrissae, rostral membrane, gena, and maxillary palps. Here we document that disruption of this dpp expression causes apoptosis in peripodial cells and underlying disc proper cells. We further show that peripodial Dpp acts directly on the disc proper, indicating that Dpp must cross the disc lumen to act. We demonstrate that palp defects are mechanistically separable from the other mutant phenotypes; both are affected by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway but in opposite ways. Slight reduction of both Jun N-terminal kinase and Dpp activity in peripodial cells causes stronger vibrissae, rostral membrane, and gena defects than Dpp alone; additionally, strong reduction of Jun N-terminal kinase activity alone causes identical defects. A more severe reduction of dpp results in similar vibrissae, rostral membrane, and gena defects, but also causes mutant maxillary palps. This latter defect is correlated with increased peripodial Jun N-terminal kinase activity and can be caused solely by ectopic activation of Jun N-terminal kinase. We conclude that formation of sensory vibrissae, rostral membrane, and gena tissue in head morphogenesis requires the action of Jun N-terminal kinase in peripodial cells, while excessive Jun N-terminal kinase signaling in these same cells inhibits the formation of maxillary palps. Copyright © 2015 by the Genetics Society of America.

  6. Terminal spacecraft rendezvous and capture with LASSO model predictive control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hartley, Edward N.; Gallieri, Marco; Maciejowski, Jan M.

    2013-11-01

    The recently investigated ℓasso model predictive control (MPC) is applied to the terminal phase of a spacecraft rendezvous and capture mission. The interaction between the cost function and the treatment of minimum impulse bit is also investigated. The propellant consumption with ℓasso MPC for the considered scenario is noticeably less than with a conventional quadratic cost and control actions are sparser in time. Propellant consumption and sparsity are competitive with those achieved using a zone-based ℓ1 cost function, whilst requiring fewer decision variables in the optimisation problem than the latter. The ℓasso MPC is demonstrated to meet tighter specifications on control precision and also avoids the risk of undesirable behaviours often associated with pure ℓ1 stage costs.

  7. Up-regulated transcriptional repressors SnoN and Ski bind Smad proteins to antagonize transforming growth factor-beta signals during liver regeneration.

    PubMed

    Macias-Silva, Marina; Li, Wei; Leu, Julia I; Crissey, Mary Ann S; Taub, Rebecca

    2002-08-09

    Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) functions as an antiproliferative factor for hepatocytes. However, for unexplained reasons, hepatocytes become resistant to TGF-beta signals and can proliferate despite the presence of TGF-beta during liver regeneration. TGF-beta is up-regulated during liver regeneration, although it is not known whether it is active or latent. TGF-beta activity may be examined by assessing Smad activation, a downstream signaling pathway. Smad pathway activation during liver regeneration induced by partial hepatectomy or CC4 injury was examined by assessing the levels of phospho-Smad2 and Smad2-Smad4 complexes. We found that Smad proteins were slightly activated in quiescent liver, but that their activation was further enhanced in regenerating liver. Interestingly, TGF-beta/Smad pathway inhibitors (SnoN and Ski) were up-regulated during regeneration, and notably, SnoN was induced mainly in hepatocytes. SnoN and Ski are transcriptional repressors that may render some cells resistant to TGF-beta via binding Smad proteins. Complexes between SnoN, Ski, and the activated Smad proteins were detected from 2 to 120 h during the major proliferative phase in regenerating liver. Inhibitory complexes decreased after liver mass restitution (5-15 days), suggesting that persistently activated Smad proteins might participate in returning the liver to a quiescent state. Our data show that active TGF-beta/Smad signals are present during regeneration and suggest that SnoN/Ski induction might explain hepatocyte resistance to TGF-beta during the proliferative phase.

  8. SRM propellant, friction/ESD testing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campbell, L. A.

    1989-01-01

    Following the Pershing 2 incident in 1985 and the Peacekeeper ignition during core removal in 1987, it was found that propellant can be much more sensitive to Electrostatic Discharges (ESD) than ever before realized. As a result of the Peacekeeper motor near miss incident, a friction machine was designed and fabricated, and used to determine friction hazards during core removal. Friction testing with and electrical charge being applied across the friction plates resulted in propellant ignitions at low friction pressures and extremely low ESD levels. The objective of this test series was to determine the sensitivity of solid rocket propellant to combined friction pressure and electrostatic stimuli and to compare the sensitivity of the SRM propellant to Peacekeeper propellant. The tests are fully discussed, summarized and conclusions drawn.

  9. Ion-thruster propellant utilization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kaufman, H. R.

    1971-01-01

    The evaluation and understanding of maximum propellant utilization, with mercury used as the propellant are presented. The primary-electron region in the ion chamber of a bombardment thruster is analyzed at maximum utilization. The results of this analysis, as well as experimental data from a range of ion-chamber configurations, show a nearly constant loss rate for unionized propellant at maximum utilization over a wide range of total propellant flow rate. The discharge loss level of 1000 eV/ion was used as a definition of maximum utilization, but the exact level of this definition has no effect on the qualitative results and little effect on the quantitative results. There are obvious design applications for the results of this investigation, but the results are particularly significant whenever efficient throttled operation is required.

  10. The effect of front-to-rear propeller spacing on the interaction noise at cruise conditions of a model counterrotation propeller having a reduced diameter aft propeller

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dittmar, James H.; Gordon, Eliott B.; Jeracki, Robert J.

    1988-01-01

    The effect of forward-to-aft propeller spacing on the interaction noise of a counterrotation propeller with reduced aft diameter was measured at cruise conditions. In general, the tones at 100 percent speed decreased from close to nominal spacing as expected from a wake decay model. However, when the spacing was further increased to the far position, the noise did not decrease as expected and in some cases increased. The behavior at the far spacing was attributed to changing forward propeller performance, which produced larger wakes. The results of this experiment indicate that simple wake decay model is sufficient to describe the behavior of the interaction noise only if the aerodynamic coupling of the two propellers does not change with spacing. If significant coupling occurs such that the loading of the forward propeller is altered, the interaction noise does not necessarily decrease with larger forward-to-aft propeller spacing.

  11. Examination of propeller sound production using large eddy simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keller, Jacob; Kumar, Praveen; Mahesh, Krishnan

    2018-06-01

    The flow field of a five-bladed marine propeller operating at design condition, obtained using large eddy simulation, is used to calculate the resulting far-field sound. The results of three acoustic formulations are compared, and the effects of the underlying assumptions are quantified. The integral form of the Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) equation is solved on the propeller surface, which is discretized into a collection of N radial strips. Further assumptions are made to reduce FW-H to a Curle acoustic analogy and a point-force dipole model. Results show that although the individual blades are strongly tonal in the rotor plane, the propeller is acoustically compact at low frequency and the tonal sound interferes destructively in the far field. The propeller is found to be acoustically compact for frequencies up to 100 times the rotation rate. The overall far-field acoustic signature is broadband. Locations of maximum sound of the propeller occur along the axis of rotation both up and downstream. The propeller hub is found to be a source of significant sound to observers in the rotor plane, due to flow separation and interaction with the blade-root wakes. The majority of the propeller sound is generated by localized unsteadiness at the blade tip, which is caused by shedding of the tip vortex. Tonal blade sound is found to be caused by the periodic motion of the loaded blades. Turbulence created in the blade boundary layer is convected past the blade trailing edge leading to generation of broadband noise along the blade. Acoustic energy is distributed among higher frequencies as local Reynolds number increases radially along the blades. Sound source correlation and spectra are examined in the context of noise modeling.

  12. Use of green fluorescent protein fusions to analyse the N- and C-terminal signal peptides of GPI-anchored cell wall proteins in Candida albicans.

    PubMed

    Mao, Yuxin; Zhang, Zimei; Wong, Brian

    2003-12-01

    Glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins account for 26-35% of the Candida albicans cell wall. To understand the signals that regulate these proteins' cell surface localization, green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fused to the N- and C-termini of the C. albicans cell wall proteins (CWPs) Hwp1p, Als3p and Rbt5p. C. albicans expressing all three fusion proteins were fluorescent at the cell surface. GFP was released from membrane fractions by PI-PLC and from cell walls by beta-glucanase, which implied that GFP was GPI-anchored to the plasma membrane and then covalently attached to cell wall glucans. Twenty and 25 amino acids, respectively, from the N- and C-termini of Hwp1p were sufficient to target GFP to the cell surface. C-terminal substitutions that are permitted by the omega rules (G613D, G613N, G613S, G613A, G615S) did not interfere with GFP localization, whereas some non-permitted substitutions (G613E, G613Q, G613R, G613T and G615Q) caused GFP to accumulate in intracellular ER-like structures and others (G615C, G613N/G615C and G613D/G615C) did not. These results imply that (i) GFP fusions can be used to analyse the N- and C-terminal signal peptides of GPI-anchored CWPs, (ii) the omega amino acid in Hwp1p is G613, and (iii) C can function at the omega+2 position in C. albicans GPI-anchored proteins.

  13. Crystal structure of ryanodine receptor N-terminal domain from Plutella xylostella reveals two potential species-specific insecticide-targeting sites.

    PubMed

    Lin, Lianyun; Liu, Chen; Qin, Juan; Wang, Jie; Dong, Shengjie; Chen, Wei; He, Weiyi; Gao, Qingzhi; You, Minsheng; Yuchi, Zhiguang

    2018-01-01

    Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are large calcium-release channels located in sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. They play a central role in excitation-contraction coupling of muscle cells. Three commercialized insecticides targeting pest RyRs generate worldwide sales over 2 billion U.S. dollars annually, but the structure of insect RyRs remains elusive, hindering our understanding of the mode of action of RyR-targeting insecticides and the development of insecticide resistance in pests. Here we present the crystal structure of RyR N-terminal domain (NTD) (residue 1-205) at 2.84 Å resolution from the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, a destructive pest devouring cruciferous crops all over the world. Similar to its mammalian homolog, DBM RyR NTD consists of a beta-trefoil folding motif and a flanking alpha helix. Interestingly, two regions in NTD interacting with neighboring domains showed distinguished conformations in DBM relative to mammalian RyRs. Using homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulation, we created a structural model of the N-terminal three domains, showing two unique binding pockets that could be targeted by potential species-specific insecticides. Thermal melt experiment showed that the stability of DBM RyR NTD was higher than mammalian RyRs, probably due to a stable intra-domain disulfide bond observed in the crystal structure. Previously DBM NTD was shown to be one of the two critical regions to interact with insecticide flubendiamide, but isothermal titration calorimetry experiments negated DBM NTD alone as a major binding site for flubendiamide. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Plasma beta-endorphin, beta-lipotropin and corticotropin in polycystic ovarian disease.

    PubMed

    Laatikainen, T; Salminen, K; Virtanen, T; Apter, D

    1987-04-01

    In 9 women with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) and in 11 control subjects at the follicular phase of the normal cycle, blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals during a 2 h period of bed rest for the assay of beta-endorphin, beta-lipotropin, corticotropin, cortisol and prolactin. During the study period, the plasma levels of these hormones decreased more significantly in the PCOD than in the control group, suggesting that the PCOD patients had a more significant stress response to the puncture of the vein than the control subjects. The second hour of the study period was considered to represent resting levels of hormones. The mean resting levels (+/- S.E.) of the hormones between the PCOD and control groups, respectively, were as follows: beta-E, 2.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.1 pmol/l, p less than 0.05; beta-LPH, 3.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.5 pmol/l, N.S.; corticotropin, 2.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.5 pmol/l, p less than 0.05; cortisol, 176 +/- 24 vs. 128 +/- 16, N.S.; and prolactin; 3.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 5.6 +/- 1.2 ng/ml, N.S. These results confirm the previous findings on increased circulating levels of beta-E in PCOD. A concomitant increase of the plasma level of corticotropin suggests that the basal secretion of both beta-E and corticotropin from the anterior pituitary gland is increased in women with PCOD.

  15. Resonance vibrations of aircraft propellers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liebers, Fritz

    1932-01-01

    On the basis of the consideration of various possible kinds of propeller vibrations, the resonance vibrations caused by unequal impacts of the propeller blades appear to be the most important. Their theoretical investigation is made by separate analysis of torsional and bending vibrations. This method is justified by the very great difference in the two natural frequencies of aircraft propeller blades. The calculated data are illustrated by practical examples. Thereby the observed vibration phenomenon in the given examples is explained by a bending resonance, for which the bending frequency of the propeller is equal to twice the revolution speed.

  16. Performance analysis of junction-less double Gate n-p-n impact ionization MOS transistor (JLDG n-IMOS)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chauhan, Manvendra Singh; Chauhan, R. K.

    2018-04-01

    This paper demonstrates a Junction-less Double Gate n-p-n Impact ionization MOS transistor (JLDG n-IMOS) on a very light doped p-type silicon body. Device structure proposed in the paper is based on charge plasma concept. There is no metallurgical junctions in the proposed device and does not need any impurity doping to create the drain and source regions. Due to doping-less nature, the fabrication process is simple for JLDG n-IMOS. The double gate engineering in proposed device leads to reduction in avalanche breakdown via impact ionization, generating large number of carriers in drain-body junction, resulting high ION current, small IOFF current and great improvement in ION/IOFF ratio. The simulation and examination of the proposed device have been performed on ATLAS device simulatorsoftware.

  17. Pusher propeller noise directivity and trends

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Block, P. J. W.

    1986-01-01

    The effects of pylon wake interaction on far-field propeller noise are studied using a model scale SR-2 propeller in a low-speed anechoic wind tunnel. The variation in the pusher noise penalty with axial angle theta and circumferential angle phi is compared to that of the tractor noise penalty; and the former exhibits minima occurring in the propeller plane and maxima occurring toward the propeller axis. The magnitude of the pusher installation noise penalty decreased with in increase in shaft horsepower and tip Mach number. Directivity comparisons revealed that both a noise reduction and a directivity pattern change resulted when the pylon was moved farther from the propeller. Noise emerging from the wake interaction was distinguished from that of the propeller by means of a modal decomposition.

  18. TDAP: Island versus propeller.

    PubMed

    Angrigiani, Claudio; Rancati, Alberto; Artero, Guillermo; Escudero, Ezequiel; Khouri, Roger K

    2016-04-01

    Thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) island flap is a safe and reliable method for breast reconstruction. TDAP propeller flap has been described as a modification of the conventional island technique that saves time and does not require microsurgical skills. However, a substantial portion of the propeller flap remains under the axilla and is not used for breast augmentation. The aim of this study is to identify the differences in the reaching distances between the propeller and island TDAP flaps. In five cadaveric specimens and 10 breast reconstruction patients, an initial propeller flap was harvested and rotated to the anterior thorax; the distance from the tip of the flap to the anterior midline was recorded as the "midline-reaching deficit;" the flap was then converted into a conventional island flap, and the new midline-reaching deficit was recorded. Differences between groups were compared with paired two-tailed t-tests (α = 0.05). In the cadaveric specimens, the mean midline-reaching deficit was 4.8 ± 2.4 cm with the propeller TDAP and -0.6 ± 2.0 cm with the conventional island TDAP (P < 0.001). In the clinical cases, the mean midline-reaching deficit was 8.1 ± 1.0 cm with the propeller TDAP and -0.3 ± 1.1 cm with the island TDAP (P < 0.000000001). We observed that the midline-reaching deficit could be reduced by 7-9 cm with the conventional island TDAP in comparison to the propeller TDAP. This should be considered when reconstructing the medial inner part of the breast. Copyright © 2015 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Propeller from Unlit Side

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-07-08

    A propeller-shaped structure created by an unseen moon appears dark in this image obtained by NASA Cassini spacecraft of the unilluminated side of Saturn rings. The propeller is marked with a red arrow in the top left.

  20. Aeroacoustics of advanced propellers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Groeneweg, John F.

    1990-01-01

    The aeroacoustics of advanced, high speed propellers (propfans) are reviewed from the perspective of NASA research conducted in support of the Advanced Turboprop Program. Aerodynamic and acoustic components of prediction methods for near and far field noise are summarized for both single and counterrotation propellers in uninstalled and configurations. Experimental results from tests at both takeoff/approach and cruise conditions are reviewed with emphasis on: (1) single and counterrotation model tests in the NASA Lewis 9 by 15 (low speed) and 8 by 6 (high speed) wind tunnels, and (2) full scale flight tests of a 9 ft (2.74 m) diameter single rotation wing mounted tractor and a 11.7 ft (3.57 m) diameter counterrotation aft mounted pusher propeller. Comparisons of model data projected to flight with full scale flight data show good agreement validating the scale model wind tunnel approach. Likewise, comparisons of measured and predicted noise level show excellent agreement for both single and counterrotation propellers. Progress in describing angle of attack and installation effects is also summarized. Finally, the aeroacoustic issues associated with ducted propellers (very high bypass fans) are discussed.