1,421 research outputs found
Stimulation of bioprocesses by ultrasound
Ultrasound (US) has become a ubiquitous technological process in a large variety of scientific disciplines. However, little information exists on the use of ultrasound to enhance biological processes and/or processing and consequently this paper provides an overview of work reported to date on this topic. This review provides a brief introduction to ultrasound and the history of ultrasound as applied to bioprocesses. This is followed by a discussion of the influence of US on discrete enzyme systems, enzymes used in bioremediation, microbial fermentations and enzymatic hydrolysis of biopolymers. Augmentation of anaerobic digestion by US is then considered along with enhancement of enzymes in food science and technology. The use of ultrasonically stimulated enzymes in synthesis is then considered and other relevant miscellaneous topics are described. It is concluded that the precise mechanism of action of US in bio-processing remains to be elucidated though a variety of plausible suggestions are made
Using Information Technology Mindfully
Although there are numerous explanations of why users behave in specific ways toward information technologies, recent work in social psychology suggests that holistic traits such as awareness and openness are potentially important explanatory variables in technology behavior theories. In this paper, we examine the multi-dimensional construct of mindfulness and its applicability to the domain of IS research. Drawing from the social psychology literature, we adapt the notion of mindfulness and its dimensions – alertness to distinction, openness to novelty, orientation in the present, and awareness of multiple perspectives – to the domain of information systems. In doing so, we place mindfulness within the broader nomological net related to individual level decisions about information technology. Also, we present preliminary explanations for how mindfulness converges with and discriminates from existing constructs in the information systems literature. Finally, we present an initial domain-specific measure of mindfulness and assess the psychometric properties of the proposed measure. Using data collected from 318 subjects with Internet Applications as the target technology, analysis indicates that the operational measures have acceptable psychometric properties and confirmatory factor analysis supports the proposed multidimensional structure. Implications for practice and research are offered
Gas Phase Production and Loss of Isoprene Epoxydiols
Isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) form in high yields from the OH-initiated oxidation of isoprene under low-NO conditions. These compounds contribute significantly to secondary organic aerosol formation. Their gas-phase chemistry has, however, remained largely unexplored. In this study, we characterize the formation of IEPOX isomers from the oxidation of isoprene by OH. We find that cis-β- and trans-β-IEPOX are the dominant isomers produced, and that they are created in an approximate ratio of 1:2 from the low-NO oxidation of isoprene. Three isomers of IEPOX, including cis-β- and trans-β, were synthesized and oxidized by OH in environmental chambers under high- and low-NO conditions. We find that IEPOX reacts with OH at 299 K with rate coefficients of (0.84 ± 0.07) × 10^(–11), (1.52 ± 0.07) × 10^(–11), and (0.98 ± 0.05) × 10^(–11) cm^3 molecule^(–1) s^(–1) for the δ1, cis-β, and trans-β isomers. Finally, yields of the first-generation products of IEPOX + OH oxidation were measured, and a new mechanism of IEPOX oxidation is proposed here to account for the observed products. The substantial yield of glyoxal and methylglyoxal from IEPOX oxidation may help explain elevated levels of those compounds observed in low-NO environments with high isoprene emissions
Constraints on Intervening Stellar Populations Toward the Large Magellanic Cloud
The suggestion by Zaritsky & Lin that a vertical extension of the red clump
feature in color-magnitude diagrams of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is
consistent with a significant population of foreground stars to the LMC that
could account for the observed microlensing optical depth has been challenged
by various investigators. We respond by (1) examining each of the challenges
presented and (2) presenting new photometric and spectroscopic data. We
conclude that although the CMD data do not mandate the existence of a
foreground population, they are entirely consistent with a foreground
population associated with the LMC that contributes significantly (~ 50%) to
the observed microlensing optical depth. From our new data, we conclude that <~
40% of the VRC stars are young, massive red clump stars because (1) synthetic
color-magnitude diagrams created using the star formation history derived
indepdently from HST data suggest that < 50% of the VRC stars are young,
massive red clump stars, (2) the angular distribution of the VRC stars is more
uniform than that of the young (age < 1 Gyr) main sequence stars, and (3) the
velocity dispersion of the VRC stars in the region of the LMC examined by ZL is
inconsistent with the expectation for a young disk population. Each of these
arguments is predicated on assumptions and the conclusions are uncertain.
Therefore, an exact determination of the contribution to the microlensing
optical depth by the various hypothesized foreground populations, and the
subsequent conclusions regarding the existence of halo MACHOs, requires a
detailed knowledge of many complex astrophysical issues, such as the IMF, star
formation history, and post-main sequence stellar evolution. (abridged)Comment: Scheduled for publication in AJ in May 199
Implications of the Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment for Supersymmetry
We re-examine the bounds on supersymmetric particle masses in light of the
E821 data on the muon anomalous magnetic moment. We confirm, extend and
supersede previous bounds. In particular we find (at one sigma) no lower limit
on tan(beta) or upper limit on the chargino mass implied by the data at
present, but at least 4 sparticles must be lighter than 700 to 820 GeV and at
least one sparticle must be lighter than 345 to 440 GeV. However, the E821
central value bounds tan(beta) > 4.7 and the lighter chargino mass by 690 GeV.
For tan(beta) < 10, the data indicates a high probability for direct discovery
of SUSY at Run II or III of the Tevatron.Comment: 20 pages LaTeX, 14 figures; references adde
Platelet-Associated Matrix Metalloproteinases Regulate Thrombus Formation and Exert Local Collagenolytic Activity
Objective Platelets are increasingly implicated in processes beyond hemostasis and thrombosis, such as vascular remodeling. Members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family not only remodel the extracellular matrix but also modulate platelet function. Here, we made a systematic comparison of the roles of MMP family members in acute thrombus formation under flow conditions and assessed platelet-dependent collagenolytic activity over time. Approach and Results Pharmacological inhibition of MMP-1 or MMP-2 (human) or deficiency in MMP-2 (mouse) suppressed collagen-dependent platelet activation and thrombus formation under flow, whereas MMP-9 inhibition/deficiency stimulated these processes. The absence of MMP-3 was without effect. Interestingly, MMP-14 inhibition led to the formation of larger thrombi, which occurred independently of its capacity to activate MMP-2. Platelet thrombi exerted local collagenolytic activity capable of cleaving immobilized dye-quenched collagen and fibrillar collagen fibers within hours, with loss of the majority of the platelet adhesive properties of collagen as a consequence. This collagenolytic activity was redundantly mediated by platelet-associated MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-14 but occurred independently of platelet -granule release (Nbeal2(-/-) mice). The latter was in line with subcellular localization experiments, which indicated a granular distribution of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in platelets, distinct from -granules. Whereas MMP-9 protein could not be detected inside platelets, activated platelets did bind plasma-derived MMP-9 to their plasma membrane. Overall, platelet MMP activity was predominantly membrane-associated and influenced by platelet activation status. Conclusions Platelet-associated MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-14 differentially modulate acute thrombus formation and at later time points limit thrombus formation by exerting collagenolytic activity
Introductory programming: a systematic literature review
As computing becomes a mainstream discipline embedded in the school curriculum and acts as an enabler for an increasing range of academic disciplines in higher education, the literature on introductory programming is growing. Although there have been several reviews that focus on specific aspects of introductory programming, there has been no broad overview of the literature exploring recent trends across the breadth of introductory programming.
This paper is the report of an ITiCSE working group that conducted a systematic review in order to gain an overview of the introductory programming literature. Partitioning the literature into papers addressing the student, teaching, the curriculum, and assessment, we explore trends, highlight advances in knowledge over the past 15 years, and indicate possible directions for future research
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