Scanning tunnelling miscroscopy/spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of Co adatoms and anoislands on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

In this paper, the scanning tunneling microscopy, scanning tunneling spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy of cobalt adatoms and nanoislands were studied on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Local electronic structure were observed by STS.\ud \u

Technological appropriateness of biomass production in rural settings:Addressing water hyacinths (E. crassipes) problem in Lake Tondano, Indonesia

Climate change has induced an excessive growth of water hyacinths, which produces unintended consequences for the surrounding ecosystem. Particularly, water hyacinth is a major problem throughout the world's tropical zone, which largely consists of rural regions. One way to address the water hyacinths problem is to convert them into biomass. However, typical biomass production technologies have not considered local settings when they are installed in rural areas lacking knowledge and resources. This study aims at assessing the technological appropriateness of biomass production from water hyacinths in rural settings under limited resources and knowledge. This research proposes two scenarios (i.e., high-tech and low-tech) to utilise water hyacinths from Lake Tondano, Indonesia, as the case study. The scenarios consider local settings of communities living around the lake by applying scenario-based design science according to Weiringa's adaptation of the five-stage regulative cycle of Van Strien. The assessment stage employs three levels of technological appropriateness (techno-economic, environmental, social) to assess each scenario for the rural context. Results show that the low-tech design is more appropriate for rural settings around Lake Tondano. Both designs are technically able to resolve the water hyacinths problem; however, the low-tech design is more practical for local communities, addressing the environmental problem while simultaneously boosting socioeconomic developments. In general, the small-scale nature of the more appropriate design applies to other rural areas, with which those areas can utilise various biomass sources while benefitting their socioeconomic situations. Further studies need to assess the technological appropriateness of the appropriate design again based on rural contexts in their location(s)

The C-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase α subunit plays a role in the CI-dependent activation of the bacteriophage λ pM promoter

The bacteriophage λ pM promoter is required for maintenance of the λ prophage in Escherichia coli, as it facilitates transcription of the cI gene, encoding the λ repressor (CI). CI levels are maintained through a transcriptional feedback mechanism whereby CI can serve as an activator or a repressor of pM. CI activates pM through cooperative binding to the OR1 and OR2 sites within the OR operator, with the OR2-bound CI dimer making contact with domain 4 of the RNA polymerase σ subunit (σ4). Here we demonstrate that the 261 and 287 determinants of the C-terminal domain of the RNA polymerase α subunit (αCTD), as well as the DNA-binding determinant, are important for CI-dependent activation of pM. We also show that the location of αCTD at the pM promoter changes in the presence of CI. Thus, in the absence of CI, one αCTD is located on the DNA at position −44 relative to the transcription start site, whereas in the presence of CI, αCTD is located at position −54, between the CI-binding sites at OR1 and OR2. These results suggest that contacts between CI and both αCTD and σ are required for efficient CI-dependent activation of pM

Convergence and Perturbation Resilience of Dynamic String-Averaging Projection Methods

We consider the convex feasibility problem (CFP) in Hilbert space and concentrate on the study of string-averaging projection (SAP) methods for the CFP, analyzing their convergence and their perturbation resilience. In the past, SAP methods were formulated with a single predetermined set of strings and a single predetermined set of weights. Here we extend the scope of the family of SAP methods to allow iteration-index-dependent variable strings and weights and term such methods dynamic string-averaging projection (DSAP) methods. The bounded perturbation resilience of DSAP methods is relevant and important for their possible use in the framework of the recently developed superiorization heuristic methodology for constrained minimization problems.Comment: Computational Optimization and Applications, accepted for publicatio

A single-mask thermal displacement sensor in MEMS

This work presents a MEMS displacement sensor based on the conductive heat transfer of a resistively heated silicon structure towards an actuated stage parallel to the structure. This differential sensor can be easily incorporated into a silicon-on-insulator-based process, and fabricated within the same mask as electrostatic actuators and flexure-based stages. We discuss a lumped capacitance model to optimize the sensor sensitivity as a function of the doping concentration, the operating temperature, the heater length and width. We demonstrate various sensor designs. The typical sensor resolution is 2 nm within a bandwidth of 25 Hz at a full scale range of 110 μm

Fluorescent carbon dioxide indicators

Over the last decade, fluorescence has become the dominant tool in biotechnology and medical imaging. These exciting advances have been underpinned by the advances in time-resolved techniques and instrumentation, probe design, chemical / biochemical sensing, coupled with our furthered knowledge in biology. Complementary volumes 9 and 10, Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Small Molecule Sensing and Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Macromolecular Sensing, aim to summarize the current state of the art in fluorescent sensing. For this reason, Drs. Geddes and Lakowicz have invited chapters, encompassing a broad range of fluorescence sensing techniques. Some chapters deal with small molecule sensors, such as for anions, cations, and CO2, while others summarize recent advances in protein-based and macromolecular sensors. The Editors have, however, not included DNA or RNA based sensing in this volume, as this were reviewed in Volume 7 and is to be the subject of a more detailed volume in the near future

Continuously improving the practice of cardiology

Guidelines for the management of patients with cardiovascular disease are designed to assist cardiologists and other physicans in their practice. Surveys are conducted to assess whether guidelines are followed in practice. The results of surveys on acute coronary syndromes, coronary revascularisation, secondary prevention, valvular heart disease and heart failure are presented. Comparing surveys conducted between 1995 and 2002, a gradual improvement in use ofsecondary preventive therapy is observed. Nevertheless, important deviations from established guidelines are noted, with a significant variation among different hospitals in the Netherlands and in other European countries. Measures for fiuther improvement of clinical practice indude more rapid treatment of patients with evolving myocardial infarction, more frequent use of clopidogrel and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers in patients with acute coronary syndromes, more frequent use of 5-blockers in patients with heart failure and more intense measures to encourage patients to stop smoking. Targets for the proportion ofpatients who might receive specific therapies are presented