The bacterial stringent response is a pleiotrophic physiological response that is evoked when bacteria are subjected to nutrient stress and is mediated through the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated guanine nucleotides ((p)ppGpp) which are synthesized by the combined action of the relA and spoT gene products. The relA and spoT genes were cloned from Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MS11 and various insertional and deletion mutants were constructed. Deletion of the gonococcal relA gene abrogated the production of (p)ppGpp when the organism was starved for the amino acid serine. Also, N. gonorrhoeaeDeltarelA null mutants were impaired for growth when propagated on rich medium, a phenotype that could be relieved by deleting the spoT gene. Sequence analysis of the gonococcal SpoT polypeptide indicated a strong similarity to its Escherichia coli counterpart. However, in contrast to studies with E. coli, insertional spoT mutants could be obtained that still accumulated (p)ppGpp when gonococci were starved for nutrients provided that the non-polar insertions were located downstream of the putative phosphohydrolase active site. In time course studies, it is also shown that gonococci rapidly accumulate (p)ppGpp (within 5 min) when encountering nutrient deprivation.

Pubtic reporing burden for aifs ccieclkon of infontion is esirnated to average 1 hour per response, induding the Wne f reve^wn inabudias searctng enstng daft sources. gahert egand nuintaeti •g t data needed, and o•onoetng and reviewMng Ohf collton of infonutlon. Send connents regarding this burden estinute or wry 0odw aspect of lls colleion of kftnation. Approved for public release, distribution unlimited. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ABSTRACTAn Internet-based survey was conducted during the fall and winter of [2003][2004] to help assess the impact of shift worker fatigue on ground mishaps and operational errors. The survey was designed for those commanders, first sergeants, superintendents, supervisors, schedulers, and shift workers in 24/7 operations. In addition, aerospace physiologists, flight surgeons, chiefs of medical staff, and wing ground safety personnel were asked to participate. Of the 9,242 respondent 5,890 were shiftworkers and 1,866 were shift supervisors and schedulers. The survey results represented primarily opinions from ACC, PACAF, USAFE and AETC, and not AMC; from workers and supervisors in grades El through E6; and from shift workers, shift supervisors and shift schedulers. The survey results prompted recommendations concerning fatigue management and sleep hygiene training, off-duty employment, shift work scheduling and worker rest policies, operational risk management for fatigue effects, crew-rest periods, reporting fatigue-related incidents, manpower and personnel planning, shift lengths, rotation speeds, schedule predictability and equity, coming in to work on days off, an automated shift work scheduling tool, and possible relationships between shift work and suicide. SUBJECT TERMSShift work, Internet survey, fatigue management and sleep hygiene training, off-duty employment, shift work scheduling and worker rest policies, operational risk management for fatigue effects, crew-rest periods, reporting fatigue-related incidents, manpower and personnel planning, shift lengths, rotation speeds, schedule predictability and equity, coming in to work on days off, an automated shift work scheduling tool, and possible relationships between shift work and suicide.