Changing patterns of localization of the tobacco mosaic virus movement protein and replicase to the endoplasmic reticulum and microtubules during infection

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) derivatives that encode movement protein (MP) as a fusion to the green fluorescent protein (MP:GFP) were used in combination with antibody staining to identify host cell components to which MP and replicase accumulate in cells of infected Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and in infected BY-2 protoplasts. MP:GFP and replicase colocalized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER; especially the cortical ER) and were present in large, irregularly shaped, ER-derived structures that may represent "viral factories." The ER-derived structures required an intact cytoskeleton, and microtubules appeared to redistribute MP:GFP from these sites during late stages of infection. In leaves, MP:GFP accumulated in plasmodesmata, whereas in protoplasts, the MP:GFP was targeted to distinct, punctate sites near the plasma membrane. Treating protoplasts with cytochalasin D and brefeldin A at the time of inoculation prevented the accumulation of MP:GFP at these sites. It is proposed that the punctate sites anchor the cortical ER to plasma membrane and are related to sites at which plasmodesmata form in walled cells. Hairlike structures containing MP:GFP appeared on the surface of some of the infected protoplasts and are reminiscent of similar structures induced by other plant viruses. We present a model that postulates the role of the ER and cytoskeleton in targeting the MP and viral ribonucleoprotein from sites of virus synthesis to the plasmodesmata through which infection is spread.     

Anion modulation of taste responses in sodium-sensitive neurons of the hamster chorda tympani nerve

Beidler's work in the 1950s showed that anions can strongly influence gustatory responses to sodium salts. We have demonstrated "anion inhibition" in the hamster by showing that the chorda tympani nerve responds more strongly to NaCl than to Na acetate over a wide range of concentrations. Iontophoretic presentation of Cl- and acetate to the anterior tongue elicited no response in the chorda tympani, suggesting that these anions are not directly stimulatory. Drugs (0.01, 1.0, and 100 microM anthracene-9-carboxylate, diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate, and furosemide) that interfere with movements of Cl- across epithelial cells were ineffective in altering chorda tympani responses to 0.03 M of either NaCl or Na acetate. Anion inhibition related to movements of anions across epithelial membranes therefore seems unlikely. The chorda tympani contains a population of nerve fibers highly selective for Na+ (N fibers) and another population sensitive to Na+ as well as other salts and acids (H fibers). We found that N fibers respond similarly to NaCl and Na acetate, with spiking activity increasing with increasing stimulus concentration (0.01-1.0 M). H fibers, however, respond more strongly to NaCl than to Na acetate. Furthermore, H fibers increase spiking with increases in NaCl concentration, but generally decrease their responses to increasing concentrations of Na acetate. It appears that anion inhibition applies to taste cells innervated by H fibers but not by N fibers. Taste cells innervated by N fibers use an apical Na+ channel, whereas those innervated by H fibers may use a paracellularly mediated, basolateral site of excitation.     

Temperature- and Field-Dependent Charge Relaxation in SiO2 Gate Insulators

Experimental results are presented for the time dependence of the relaxation of flat-band voltage shift (?VFB) induced by ionizing radiation in metaloxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors incorporating radiation-hard wet (pyrogenic H20) thermally-grown SiO2 gate insulators. ?VFB was observed from 0.4 ms to 800 s following short-pulse sample irradiation at temperatures from 79 to 295 K and with applied fields from -6 to + 6 MV/cm. The results illustrate the strong temperature and field dependences of hole transport in the SiO2 which is responsible for the early annealing of the radiation-induced ?VFB. Examples are given of the manner in which these data may be applied to estimate the response of radiation-hard MOS devices at various times after irradiation, particularly in the potentially troublesome low temperature (80-150 K) regime.     

Methods and instrumentation for piezoelectric motors

Because of their compact form factor and rigidity, piezoelectric motors are used in scanning probe microscopes that operate at low temperature and high magnetic field. Here we present detailed information to facilitate the assembly, operation, and characterization of inertial motors. Specifically, a model of the motor is developed and used to identify different regions of operation. Drive electronics with high slew rate and large output current are described and a step-by-step procedure for assembling piezoelectric shear stacks is detailed. Additionally, a novel reflective object sensor is described and used to characterize a Pan-style inertial motor that was designed and assembled using the concepts presented in this paper.     

Ultrastructural and biochemical changes of hepatocytes during ether and fluothane anesthesia under experimental conditions

A study was made of a possibility of using Soviet made membranes "Vladipor" with a pore diameter of 16--17 nm for the purpose of concentration and purification of antigenic extracts from stab cultures of S. typhi obtained by the action of typsin, hydrogen peroxide and detergents. Preparations, complete by antigenic structure, were obtained by ultrafiltration, with a good yield. The maximal rate of ultrafiltration was noted in case of "peroxide" antigenic preparations. The use of diafiltration provided a significant reduction of the ash content in the end products.     

Velocity Distribution in the Roughness Layer of Rough-Bed Flows

Several models for the vertical distribution of the double-averaged (in time and in the plane parallel to the mean bed) longitudinal velocity in the flow region between roughness troughs and roughness tops are suggested. We found that the same model for velocity distribution may be applicable to a range of flow conditions and roughness types, which share some common features. The suggested models for velocity distribution in the near-bed region are: (1) Constant velocity; (2) exponential velocity distribution; and (3) linear velocity distribution. The measured velocity distributions may be approximated by a single model or by a combination of models depending on roughness geometry and flow conditions. The validity of these models for velocity distribution is supported by laboratory data.     

Effect of permanent magnet stirring on internal quality of steel

Permanent magnet stirring (PMS) featuring low power dissipation and high-intensity magnetic field was investigated as a means of decreasing internal solidification defects. In this study, the magnetic Taylor number (Ta) was used to quantify the melt ?ow. Initial research of PMS involved a laboratory study of the solidification of Sn–20 wt-% Pb alloy. An industrial plant trial with continuously cast tire cord steel confirmed that PMS, in accord with the laboratory findings, produced an improvement in central cavities in the cast product. Moreover, it was established that PMS is an alternative method for reducing carbon macrosegregation in tire cord steel billets with different section sizes. It was also found that PMS (Ta?=?8.97?×?10⁷) was more effective for improving central carbon macrosegregation of tire cord steel than electromagnetic stirring (Ta?=?6.33?×?10⁷) due to the larger Ta related to the driven-flow intensity of the residual melt.     

The House Mouse (Mus musculus L.) Exerts Strong Differential Grain Consumption Preferences among Hard Red and White Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties in a Single‐Elimination Tournament Design

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plays a central role in the health and nutrition of humans. Yet, little is known about possible flavor differences among different varieties. We have developed a model system using the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) to determine feeding preferences as a prelude to extending results to human sensory analysis. Here, we examine the application of a single‐elimination tournament design to the analysis of consumption preferences of a set of hard red and hard white spring wheat varieties. A single‐elimination tournament design in this case pairs 2 wheat varieties and only 1 of the 2 is advanced to further tests. Preferred varieties were advanced until an overall “winner” was identified; conversely, less desirable varieties were advanced such that an overall “loser” was identified. Hollis and IDO702 were the winner and loser, respectively, for the hard red varieties, and Clear White 515 and WA8123 were the winner and loser, respectively, for the hard white varieties. When using the more powerful protocol of 14 mice and a 4?d trial, differences in mean daily consumption preferences of 2 varieties were separated at P‐values as small as 2 × 10^?8. The single‐elimination tournament design is an efficient means of identifying the most and least desirable varieties among a larger set of samples. One application for identifying the 2 extremes in preference within a group of varieties would be to use them as parents of a population to identify quantitative trait loci for preference.     

Med‐Arb Agreements since Thione: A Practice Update

In 2008, we published an article exploring the potential for federal courts to conclude that mediation and arbitration, or med‐arb, agreements did not qualify as “arbitration” under the Federal Arbitration Act. 9 U.S.C. § 2 (2011). See David J. McLean & Sean‐Patrick Wilson, “Compelling Mediation in the Context Med‐Arb Agreements,” 63 Dispute Resolution Journal 28 (2008)(available at http://ow.ly/Q8Oob ).     

Microstructure-Based Estimation of Strength and Ductility Distributions for $$\alpha +\beta $$ Titanium Alloys

Titanium alloys are processed to develop a wide range of microstructure configurations and therefore material properties. While these properties are typically measured experimentally, a framework for property prediction could greatly enhance alloy design and manufacturing. Here a microstructure-sensitive framework is presented for the prediction of strength and ductility as well as estimates of the bounds in variability for these properties. The framework explicitly considers distributions of microstructure via new approaches for instantiation of structure in synthetic samples. The parametric evaluation strategy, including the finite element simulation package FEpX, is used to create and test virtual polycrystalline samples to evaluate the variability bounds of mechanical properties in Ti-6Al-4V. Critical parameters for the property evaluation framework are provided by measurements of single crystal properties and advanced characterization of microstructure and slip system strengths in 2D and 3D. Property distributions for yield strength and ductility are presented, along with the validation and verification steps undertaken. Comparisons between strain localization and slip activity in virtual samples and in experimental grain-scale strain measurements are also discussed.