Limiting the Extent of the RDN1 Heterochromatin Domain by a Silencing Barrier and Sir2 Protein Levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, transcriptional silencing occurs at the cryptic mating-type loci (HML and HMR), telomeres, and ribosomal DNA ( rDNA; RDN1). Silencing in the rDNA is unusual in that polymerase II (Pol II) promoters within RDN1 are repressed by Sir2 but not Sir3 or Sir4. rDNA silencing unidirectionally spreads leftward, but the mechanism of limiting its spreading is unclear. We searched for silencing barriers flanking the left end of RDN1 by using an established assay for detecting barriers to HMR silencing. Unexpectedly, the unique sequence immediately adjacent to RDN1, which overlaps a prominent cohesin binding site (CARL2), did not have appreciable barrier activity. Instead, a fragment located 2.4 kb to the left, containing a tRNA(Gln) gene and the Ty1 long terminal repeat, had robust barrier activity. The barrier activity was dependent on Pol III transcription of tRNA(Gln), the cohesin protein Smc1, and the SAS1 and Gcn5 histone acetyltransferases. The location of the barrier correlates with the detectable limit of rDNA silencing when SIR2 is overexpressed, where it blocks the spreading of rDNA heterochromatin. We propose a model in which normal Sir2 activity results in termination of silencing near the physical rDNA boundary, while tRNA(Gln) blocks silencing from spreading too far when nucleolar Sir2 pools become elevated.

High temperature mechanical properties of thermal barrier coated superalloy applied to combustor liner of aero engines

High temperature load controlled fatigue, hot tensile and accelerated creep properties of thermal barrier coated (TBC) Superni C263 alloy used as a candidate material in combustor liner of aero engines are highlighted in this paper. Acoustic emission technique has been utilised to characterise the ductile-brittle transition teperature the bond coat. Results revealed that the DBTT (ductile to brittle transition temperature) of this bond coat is around 923 K, which is in close proximity to the value reported for CoCrAlY type of bond coat. Finite element technique, used for analysing the equivalent stresses in the bond coat well within the elastic limit, revealed the highest order of equivalent stress at 1073 K as the bond coat is ductile above 923 K. The endurance limit in fatigue and the life of TBC coated composite under accelerated creep conditions are substantially higher than those of the substrate material. Fractographic features at high stresses under fatigue showed intergranular cleavage whereas those at low stresses were transgranular and ductile in nature. Delamination of the bond coat and spallation of the TBC at high stresses during fatigue was evident. Unlike in the case of fatigue, the mode of fracture in the substrate at very high stresses was transgranular whereas that at low stresses was intergranular in creep.

A Note on Diffraction of Water Waves by a Nearly Vertical Barrier

A simplified perturbational analysis is employed, together with the application of Green's theorem, to determine the first-order corrections to the reflection and transmission coefficients in the problem of diffraction of surface water waves by a nearly vertical barrier in two basically important cases: (i) when the barrier is partially immersed and (ii) when the barrier is completely submerged. The present analysis produces the desired results fairly easily and relatively quickly as compared with the known integral equation approach to this class of diffraction problems.

Activation barrier for the alpha.-cleavage process in thiones

The Occurrence of the Norrish type I a-cleavage process in some thio compounds has been examined by using the MIND013 method and employing the configuration interaction. Results reveal that where the radiationless process is not efficient, thio compounds can undergo photodissociation into radicals in their lowest triplet and singlet excited states. The activation barriers in all these cases arise from an avoided crossing between two states of different symmetries. The calculations of activation barriers by the CNDO-CI and MINDO-CI procedures reveal that the MINDO-CI method leads to realistic values of the activation energies.

An improved representation of vehicle incompatibility in frontal NCAP tests using a modified rigid barrier

With the objective of better understanding the significance of New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head-on collisions between two identical cars of different sizes and between cars and a pickup truck are studied in the present paper using LS-DYNA models. Available finite element models of a compact car (Dodge Neon), midsize car (Dodge Intrepid), and pickup truck (Chevrolet C1500) are first improved and validated by comparing theanalysis-based vehicle deceleration pulses against corresponding NCAP crash test histories reported by NHTSA. In confirmation of prevalent perception, simulation-bascd results indicate that an NCAP test against a rigid barrier is a good representation of a collision between two similar cars approaching each other at a speed of 56.3 kmph (35 mph) both in terms of peak deceleration and intrusions. However, analyses carried out for collisions between two incompatible vehicles, such as an Intrepid or Neon against a C1500, point to the inability of the NCAP tests in representing the substantially higher intrusions in the front upper regions experienced by the cars, although peak decelerations in cars arc comparable to those observed in NCAP tests. In an attempt to improve the capability of a front NCAP test to better represent real-world crashes between incompatible vehicles, i.e., ones with contrasting ride height and lower body stiffness, two modified rigid barriers are studied. One of these barriers, which is of stepped geometry with a curved front face, leads to significantly improved correlation of intrusions in the upper regions of cars with respect to those yielded in the simulation of collisions between incompatible vehicles, together with the yielding of similar vehicle peak decelerations obtained in NCAP tests.

Experimental investigation of the dependence of barrier height on metal work function for metal---SiO2---p---Si (MIS) Schottky-barrier diodes in the presence of inversion

The dependence of barrier height on the metal work function of metal-SiO2-p-Si Schottky barrier diodes was investigated and nonlinearity was found. This is explained by the theoretical model proposed recently by Chattopadhyay and Daw. The values of interface trap density and fixed charge density of the insulating layer of the diodes were calculated using this model and found to be appreciably different from those estimated by the usual method.

Control of barrier height of MIS tunnel diodes using deep level impurities

The barrier height of MIS tunnel diodes is studied considering the effect of deep impurities. It is shown that the barrier height of a given MIS-system can be controlled by changing the density and the activation energy of the defect level. The study leads to the conclusion that deep impurities of character opposite to shallow impurities enhance the barrier height. On the other hand, the barrier height is lowered when the type of the deep impurities is the same as that of shallow impurities.

Solution of a Boundary-Value Problem associated with Diffraction of Water Waves by a Nearly Vertical Barrier

An exact solution is derived for a boundary-value problem for Laplace's equation which is a generalization of the one occurring in the course of solution of the problem of diffraction of surface water waves by a nearly vertical submerged barrier. The method of solution involves the use of complex function theory, the Schwarz reflection principle, and reduction to a system of two uncoupled Riemann-Hilbert problems. Known results, representing the reflection and transmission coefficients of the water wave problem involving a nearly vertical barrier, are derived in terms of the shape function.

Src Homology 3-interacting Domain of Rv1917c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Induces Selective Maturation of Human Dendritic Cells by Regulating PI3K-MAPK-NF-kappa B Signaling and Drives Th2 Immune Responses

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an etiological agent of pulmonary tuberculosis, causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pathogenic mycobacteria survive in the host by subverting host innate immunity. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that are vital for eliciting immune responses to infectious agents, including pathogenic mycobacteria. DCs orchestrate distinct Th responses based on the signals they receive. In this perspective, deciphering the interactions of the proline-glutamic acid/proline-proline-glutamic acid (PE/PPE) family of proteins of M. tuberculosis with DCs assumes significant pathophysiological attributes. In this study, we demonstrate that Rv1917c (PPE34), a representative member of the proline-proline-glutamic-major polymorphic tandem repeat family, interacts with TLR2 and triggers functional maturation of human DCs. Signaling perturbations implicated a critical role for integrated cross-talk among PI3K-MAPK and NF-kappa B signaling cascades in Rv1917c-induced maturation of DCs. However, this maturation of DCs was associated with a secretion of high amounts of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, whereas Th1-polarizing cytokine IL-12 was not induced. Consistent with these results, Rv1917c-matured DCs favored secretion of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 from CD4(+) T cells and contributed to Th2-skewed cytokine balance ex vivo in healthy individuals and in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Interestingly, the Rv1917c-skewed Th2 immune response involved induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in DCs. Taken together, these results indicate that Rv1917c facilitates a shift in the ensuing immunity toward the Th2 phenotype and could aid in immune evasion by mycobacteria.

Characterization and immune response of a protein produced by a cDNA clone of foot and mouth disease virus, type Asia 1 63/72

A 0.9 kb double stranded cDNA of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) Type Asia 1, 63/72 was cloned in an expression vector, pUR222. A protein of 38 kd was produced by the clone which reacted with the antibodies raised against the virus. A 20 kd protein which may be derived from the 38 kd protein contained the antigenic epitopes of the protein VP1 of the virus. Injection of 10-20 micrograms of the partially purified 38 and 20 kd proteins or a lysate of cells containing 240 micrograms of the proteins elicited high titers of FMDV specific antibodies in guinea pigs and cattle respectively. Also, at these concentrations, the proteins protected 5 of 8 guinea pigs and 3 of 8 cattle when challenged with a virulent virus.

Study of Pulsed Plasma in a Crossed Flow Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor for Improvement of NOx Removal in Raw Diesel Engine Exhaust

Improved performance of plasma in raw engine exhaust treatment is reported. A new type of reactor referred to as of cross-flow dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was used, in which the gas flow is perpendicular to the corona electrode. In raw exhaust environment, the cross-flow (radial-flow) reactor exhibits a superior performance with regard to NOX removal when compared to that with axial flow of gas. Experiments were conducted at different flow rates ranging from 2 L/min to 25 L/min. The plasma assisted barrier discharge reactor has shown encouraging results in NOx removal at high flow rates.