Distribution of hydrogen peroxide and methylhydroperoxide over the Pacific and South Atlantic Oceans

The gas phase hydrogen peroxide and methylhydroperoxide concentrations were measured in the troposphere over the tropical Pacific Ocean as a component of NASA's Global Tropospheric Experiment/Pacific Exploratory Mission-Tropics A field campaign. Flights on two aircraft covered the Pacific from 70°S to 60°N and 110°E to 80°W and South Atlantic from 40°S to 15°N and 45°W to 70°E, and extending from 76 to 13,000 m altitude. H2O2 and CH3OOH have the highest concentrations at a given altitude at the equator and decrease with increasing latitude in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Above 4 km the gradient is substantially reduced for both H2O2 and CH3OOH with latitude, and at altitudes in excess of 8 km there is no latitudinal dependence. H2O2 and CH3OOH exhibit maximum mixing ratios between 1 and 2 km at all latitudes. The mean mixing ratio of H2O2 at the equator was 1600 ± 600 parts per trillion by volume (pptv) decreasing to 500 ± 250 pptv at latitudes greater than 55° north and south between 1 and 2 km altitude. CH3OOH at the equator was 1400 ± 250 pptv, decreasing to 330 ± 200 pptv at high latitudes at altitudes between 1 and 2 km. The concentration of peroxides at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere was generally a factor of 2 higher than at corresponding latitudes in the southern hemisphere. The ratio of H2O2 to CH3OOH was between 1 and 2 from 45°S to 35°N at altitudes below 4 km. Between 5° to 15°N the ratio is less than 1, due to preferential removal of H2O2 in the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Copyright 1999 by the American Geophysical Union

Good Language Teachers: Divergent Perspectives between University Language Teachers and Learners

Teachers assume several key roles in the language classroom: as educators transmitting knowledge, as facilitators assisting students with their learning, and as motivators inspiring students to achieve their language goals, to name a few. As any one teacher is unlikely to possess the full range of characteristics suggested in the literature, it seems important to explore what individual class groups of learners believe are the characteristics most beneficial to their language learning. In addition, how about these language learning group teachers’ perspectives? Do language learners and their teachers hold similar views? Are there any discrepancies in their viewpoints? If so, would these discrepancies affect learning effectiveness? These are some questions this research project aims to answer.9 language teachers and their class groups (a total of 10 groups, 287 students) from a language university in southern Taiwan participated in this study. Questionnaire results from student questionnaire were collated with data from their language teachers to discover points of agreement and divergence. The result shows that both language learners and their teachers believe in the importance of good command of L2. However, language learners care more about their relationship with the teachers (e.g., whether they are treated fairly, with respect), whereas language teachers believe that their professional teaching knowledge and the ability to update and reflect most important. This gap in the viewpoints may cause unmet expectations which ultimately affect learning effectiveness. This research ends with some practical suggestions for language teachers in the classroom

Sustainable Business Strategies and PESTEL Framework

This paper aims to provide a brief review ofcloud computing, followed by an analysis of cloud computingenvironment using the PESTEL framework. The futureimplications and limitations of adopting cloud computing asan effective eco-friendly strategy to reduce carbon footprintare also discussed in the paper. This paper concludes with arecommendation to guide researchers to further examine thisphenomenon.Organizations today face tough economic times, especiallyfollowing the recent global financial crisis and the evidence ofcatastrophic climate change. International and local businessesfind themselves compelled to review their strategies. Theyneed to consider their organizational expenses and prioritiesand to strategically consider how best to save. Traditionally,Information Technology (IT) department is one area that wouldbe affected negatively in the review. Continuing to fund thesestrategic technologies during an economic downturn is vital toorganizations. It is predicted that in coming years IT resourceswill only be available online. More and more organizationsare looking at operating smarter businesses by investigatingtechnologies such as cloud computing, virtualization and greenIT to find ways to cut costs and increase efficiencies

“PLEASE PASS THE SALT” – AN ETHNOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF SALT AND SALT FERMENTED FISH PRODUCTION, USE AND TRADE IN NORTHEAST THAILAND.

Northeast Thailand is known for salt production, both today and in the past.  Prehistoric salt sites are found throughout the region and ethnographic and historical data demonstrates the importance of salt as a commodity as well as for preserving and fermenting fish. This paper explores the archaeology and cultural history of salt and salt fermented fish products in Northeast Thailand and the Greater Mekong Delta region.  Using archaeological, historical and ethnographic data, it addresses how the foods we eat and our preparation methods can be deeply rooted in our cultural history and identity, and discusses the ways in which they can be studied in the archaeological record to learn about the past

Localized and controlled delivery of nitric oxide to the conventional outflow pathway via enzyme biocatalysis: towards therapy for Glaucoma

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), however its therapeutic effects on outflow physiology are location- and dose-dependent. Here, a NO delivery platform that directly targets the resistance-generating region of the conventional outflow pathway and locally liberates a controlled dose of NO is reported. An increase in outflow facility (decrease in IOP) is demonstrated in mouse model

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HORIZONTAL FORCE-VELOCITY PROFILE AND VERTICAL STRENGTH IN FEMALE ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the horizontal force-velocity (HFV) profiles of female collegiate ice hockey players and compare these to metrics of muscular strength. The secondary purpose of this study was to categorize strength metrics using reduction analyses to improve the interpretation and application of these results and that of future studies. Thirteen female ice hockey players (body mass = 66.7±18.0 kg; height = 171.6±6.2 cm) completed three 50-meter on-ice sprints. Instantaneous velocity was measured using a radar gun in which participant HFV profile metrics (maximal velocity, tau, force-velocity slope, maximum theoretical force, ratio decrease force) were derived. Forty-eight hours later, participants completed four strength tests (drop jump, countermovement jump, loaded countermovement jump, and isometric squat) measured using a dual force plate resulting in 64 metrics of strength. A stepwise regression was employed to assess the associations between strength and HFV profile metrics. All strength metrics were entered into a principal component analysis (PCA) to support the interpretation of the results. There were no significant associations between strength and HFV profile metrics. The PCA identified four clusters of strength metrics that were considered distinct strength properties in this population. This study presents a robust method for evaluating skating HFV profiles and strength metrics in ice hockey players and should be used in future studies to contribute to this body of literature

Bactericidal activity of extended 9-glycyl-amido-minocyclines

The need for self-protecting polymer or alloy implants resistant to a broad spectrum of bacterial challenges led us to investigate covalent bonding of minocycline (MIN), a tetracycline derivative, to polystyrene beads and to titanium alloy foils by oligoethylene glycol spacers. 9-Hydrazino-acetyl-amido-MIN, and simpler glycylcycline derivatives, retained minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus comparable to MIN. However, PEG-glycyl-amido-MIN showed very low activity. Hence, we coupled 9-hydrazino-acetyl-amido-MIN to the aldehyde termini of oligoethylene glycol spacers bonded to polystyrene and titanium alloy surfaces to form acid-releasable hydrazone linkages. 9-Hydrazino-acetyl-amido-MIN was released from the monolayers more rapidly at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.4

Isolation and characterization of the full-length cDNA encoding a member of a novel cytochrome p450 family (CYP320A1) from the tropical freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni

Cytochrome p450s (cyp450s) are a family of structurally related proteins, with diverse functions, including steroid synthesis and breakdown of toxins. This paper reports the full-length sequence of a novel cyp450 gene, the first to be isolated from the tropical freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, an important intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. The nucleotide sequence is 2291 bp with a predicted amino acid sequence of 584aa. The sequence demonstrates conserved cyp450 structural motifs, but is sufficiently different from previously reported cyp450 sequences to be given a new classification, CYP320A1. Initially identified as down-regulated in partially resistant snails in response to S. mansoni infection, amplification of this gene using RT-PCR in both totally resistant or susceptible snail lines when exposed to infection, and all tissues examined, suggests ubiquitous expression. Characterization of the first cyp450 from B. glabrata is significant in understanding the evolution of these metabolically important proteins

Spatial and temporal variations of aerosols around Beijing in summer 2006: Model evaluation and source apportionment

Regional aerosol model calculations were made using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) and WRF-chem models to study spatial and temporal variations of aerosols around Beijing, China, in the summer of 2006, when the Campaigns of Air Quality Research in Beijing and Surrounding Region 2006 (CAREBeijing) intensive campaign was conducted. Model calculations captured temporal variations of primary (such as elemental carbon. (EC)) and secondary (such as sulfate) aerosols observed in and around Beijing. The spatial distributions of aerosol optical depth observed by the MODTS satellite sensors were also reproduced over northeast China. Model calculations showed distinct differences in spatial distributions between primary and secondary aerosols in association with synoptic-scale meteorology. Secondary aerosols increased in air around Beijing on a scale of about 1000 × 1000 km2 under an anticyclonic pressure system. This air mass was transported northward from the high anthropogenic emission area extending south of Beijing with continuous photochemical production. Subsequent cold front passage brought clean air from the north, and polluted air around Beijing was swept to the south of Beijing. This cycle was repeated about once a week and was found to be responsible for observed enhancements/reductions of aerosols at the intensive measurement sites. In contrast to secondary aerosols, the spatial distributions of primary aerosols (EC) reflected those of emissions, resulting in only slight variability despite the changes in synopticscale meteorology. In accordance with these results, source apportionment simulations revealed that primary aerosols around Beijing were controlled by emissions within 100 km around Beijing within the preceding 24 h, while emissions as far as 500 km and within the preceding 3 days were found to affect secondary aerosols. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union