The domain architecture of a large RNA can help explain and/or predict folding, function, biogenesis and evolution. We offer a formal and general definition of an RNA domain and use that definition to experimentally characterize the rRNA of the ribosomal small subunit. Here the rRNA comprising a domain is compact, with a self-contained system of molecular interactions. A given rRNA helix or ste...

Surface plasmon scattering by bidimensional indentations and protrusions is examined, mainly in the optical regime. The width of the defects is fixed, while their height is varied. Both individual defects and arrays of defects are considered. Protrusions mainly reflect the incident plasmons in the optical range. Indentations mainly radiate the incident plasmon out of plane. An indentation produ...

We investigate the viability of Galactic corona models of gammaray bursts by calculating the spatial distribution expected for a population of high-velocity neutron stars born in the Galactic disk and moving in a gravitational potential that includes the Galactic bulge, disk, and a dark matter halo. We consider models in which the bursts radiate isotropically and in which the radiation is beame...

Charged particles are held to radiate as a function of their acceleration in some situations. One well-known exception to this is in atomic structures, and some believe that classical electromagnetism cannot be used to describe atomic behaviour because it requires that an electron radiates energy under acceleration. This is naive, for if accelerating charges radiate under some conditions but no...

The first attempt to obtain artificials pearls from the black-lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera in French Polynesia dates back 1963. The pearl oyster culture has grown quickly especially since the eighties. This industry is now the first exportation in value of French Polynesia. 19 atolls of the Tuamotu islands have at this time one or more farms and this activity become more and more att...

As more and more structural materials are used in marine and offshore service, studies on the effects of fouling organisms on corrosion and cathodic protection phenomena have gained renewed importance. This communication describes the common fouling organisms of Tuticorin harbour and their possible association in corrosion processes. Earlier studies on fouling in Tuticorin waters are restricted...

In atoll lagoons of French Polynesia, growth and reproduction of pearl oysters are mainly driven by plankton concentration. However, the actual diet of black-lip pearl oysters Pinctada margaritifera in these lagoons is poorly known. To fill this gap, we used the flow through chamber method to measure clearance rates of P. margaritifera in Ahe atoll lagoon (Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia)...