A Measurement of the Electric Form Factor of the Neutron through d⃗(e⃗,e′n)p\vec{d}(\vec{e},e'n)p at Q2=0.5Q^2 = 0.5 (GeV/c)2^2

We report the first measurement of the neutron electric form factor $G_E^n$ via $\vec{d}(\vec{e},e'n)p$ using a solid polarized target. $G_E^n$ was determined from the beam-target asymmetry in the scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from polarized deuterated ammonia, $^{15}$ND$_3$. The measurement was performed in Hall C at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) in quasi free kinematics with the target polarization perpendicular to the momentum transfer. The electrons were detected in a magnetic spectrometer in coincidence with neutrons in a large solid angle segmented detector. We find $G_E^n = 0.04632\pm0.00616 (stat.) \pm0.00341 (syst.)$ at $Q^2 = 0.495$ (GeV/c)$^2$.Comment: Latex2e 5 pages, 3 figure

Broad base biological assay using liquid based detection assays

The release of a biological agent by terrorists represents a serious threat to the safety of US citizens. At present there are over 50 pathogens and toxins on various agency threat lists. Most of these pathogens are rarely seen by public health personnel so the ability to rapidly identify their infection is limited. Since many pathogenic infections have symptomatic delays as long as several days, effective treatment is often compromised. This translates into two major deficiencies in our ability to counter biological terrorism (1) the lack of any credible technology to rapidly detect and identify all the pathogens or toxins on current threat lists and (2) the lack of a credible means to rapidly diagnose thousands of potential victims. In this SI we are developing a rapid, flexible, inexpensive, high throughput, and deeply multiplex-capable biological assay technology. The technology, which we call the Liquid Array (LA), utilizes optical encoding of small diameter beads which serve as the templates for biological capture assays. Once exposed to a fluid sample these beads can be identified and probed for target pathogens at rates of several thousand beads per second. Since each bead can be separately identified, one can perform parallel assays by assigning a different assay to each bead in the encoded set. The goal for this development is a detection technology capable of simultaneously identifying 100s of different bioagents and/or of rapidly diagnosing several thousand individuals. We are pursuing this research in three thrusts. In the first we are exploring the fundamental interactions of the beads with proteins and nucleic acids in complex mixtures. This will provide us with a complete understanding of the limits of the technology with respect to throughput and complex environment. A major spin-off of this activity is in the rapidly emerging field of proteomics where we may be able to rapidly assess the interactions responsible for cell metabolism, structural organization, and DNA replication and repair. Understanding the complexities of these interactions is a fundamental step towards comprehending key aspects of disease biochemistry. This past year, using the LA technology, we were able to confirm the dynamics of a well characterized three protein, bacterial DNA repair mechanism--UvrABC. Next fiscal year we will begin studying the less characterized mammalian homologous recombinational DNA repair pathway examining the protein/protein and protein/DNA interactions of RAD51B/C. In the second thrust, we are looking at a model human disease state to assess the application of the LA in highly parallel and rapid medical diagnostics. In collaboration with researchers at UCSF and the California Department of Public Health we are developing a multiplex assay for the determination of Herpes-8 exposure (a cancer inducing virus) in aids patients. We have successfully demonstrated a 8-plex assay and will extend to 20-plex in the near future. In a parallel effort we will develop an 18-plex assay for detecting antibodies to all vaccine-preventable childhood viral infections. Finally we are developing a concept that would utilize the bead assay in the simplest possible form. After microbead capture of the biomarker sample and a fluorescent reporter in solution, the beads are trapped on an ordered dipstick array. The color of each bead is used to identify the biomarker, while the fluorescent reporter measures its concentration. This concept, MIDS, would enable widespread use of the technology by reducing the capital investment required while greatly simplifying its operation and maintenance

Production and preliminary testing of multianalyte imaging sensor arrays

This report covers the production and preliminary testing of fiber optic sensors that contain a discrete array of analyte specific sensors on their distal ends. The development of the chemistries associated with this technology is covered elsewhere

Pre-symptomatic Prediction of Illness in Mice Inoculated with Cowpox

We describe here research directed towards early (presyndromic) diagnosis of infection. By using a mouse model and a multi-component blood protein diagnostic tool we detected cowpox infection several days in advance of overt symptoms with high accuracy. We provide details of the experimental design and measurement technique and elaborate on the long-range implication of these results

Development of an Autonomous Pathogen Detection System

An Autonomous Pathogen Detection System (APDS) is being designed and evaluated for use in domestic counter-terrorism. The goal is a fully automated system that utilizes both flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to continuously monitor the air for BW pathogens in major buildings or high profile events. A version 1 APDS system consisting of an aerosol collector, a sample preparation subsystem, and a flow cytometer for detecting the antibody-labeled target organisms has been completed and evaluated. Improved modules are under development for a version 2 APDS including a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory-designed aerosol preconcentrator, a multiplex flow cytometer, and a flow-through PCR detector

Projected Loss of a Salamander Diversity Hotspot as a Consequence of Projected Global Climate Change

Background: Significant shifts in climate are considered a threat to plants and animals with significant physiological limitations and limited dispersal abilities. The southern Appalachian Mountains are a global hotspot for plethodontid salamander diversity. Plethodontids are lungless ectotherms, so their ecology is strongly governed by temperature and precipitation. Many plethodontid species in southern Appalachia exist in high elevation habitats that may be at or near their thermal maxima, and may also have limited dispersal abilities across warmer valley bottoms. Methodology/Principal Findings: We used a maximum-entropy approach (program Maxent) to model the suitable climatic habitat of 41 plethodontid salamander species inhabiting the Appalachian Highlands region (33 individual species and eight species included within two species complexes). We evaluated the relative change in suitable climatic habitat for these species in the Appalachian Highlands from the current climate to the years 2020, 2050, and 2080, using both the HADCM3 and the CGCM3 models, each under low and high CO 2 scenarios, and using two-model thresholds levels (relative suitability thresholds for determining suitable/unsuitable range), for a total of 8 scenarios per species. Conclusion/Significance: While models differed slightly, every scenario projected significant declines in suitable habitat within the Appalachian Highlands as early as 2020. Species with more southern ranges and with smaller ranges had larger projected habitat loss. Despite significant differences in projected precipitation changes to the region, projections did no

Soft Skills Council: A New SPE Initiative

Talent &amp; Technology Our industry has entered a new era. An increasing demand for energy, complexity of resources, developing new technologies, management of the supply and demand for skilled human work-force, and the urgency of rapid knowledge transfer are daunting challenges. The sociopolitical climate, whether it is in one’s backyard or across the globe, demands transparency in our actions that conveys internal congruency with external expectations. This requires substantial ability to interact across a broad spectrum of disciplines, differences and diversity, and individual expectations. To prepare for this new world, future industry professionals must equip themselves with an expanded set of competencies that include organizational abilities to effectively develop and deliver technical solutions—soft skills. While some still advocate identifying the top performers for mission-critical roles, the complexities of the new environment demand a new approach that sees the potential for development of leadership attributes in every individual to not only enhance his or her talent, but more importantly, to unlock organizational capabilities to ensure success. Forward-looking companies see that increasing collaboration in the development and rapid implementation of technology solutions will require a new generation of professionals who are able to inspire and motivate and who display leadership qualities regardless of their position in the organization. In 2011, SPE formed the Soft Skills Council. There were two major drivers for the move: to help SPE fulfill its mission, vision, and values, and to respond to a growing conversation within the industry about the need to help our professionals develop interpersonal skills to add business value in the future. Attributes of a Future Professional The benefits and responsibilities of membership in a professional society are usually included in the organization’s statements of mission, vision, and values. For SPE, these are the following: Mission: To collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge concerning the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas resources, and related technologies for the public benefit; and to provide opportunities for professionals to enhance their technical and professional competence. Vision: To be a society of professional excellence, providing its members the highest quality lifelong learning, and continuous personal and professional growth. Values: Excellent, integrity, professionalism, lifelong learning, diversity, volunteerism, innovation, and social responsibility. Considering that every word in the mission, vision, and values statements was carefully selected, the fact that the word “professional” appears often is an indication of its significance. Providing members with “continuous personal and professional growth” is an important goal for SPE, signifying a belief that the degree to which industry professionals prosper will depend on their ability to continuously develop skills, with a balance between technology and soft skills.</jats:p