A superadditivity and submultiplicativity property for cardinalities of sumsets

For finite sets of integers A1, . . . ,An we study the cardinality of the n-fold sumset A1 + · · · + An compared to those of (n − 1)-fold sumsets A1 + · · · + Ai−1 + Ai+1 + · · · + An. We prove a superadditivity and a submultiplicativity property for these quantities. We also examine the case when the addition of elements is restricted to an addition graph between the sets

Heavy Top Quark Searches in the Di-Lepton Mode at the Tevatron

We present the results of a detailed study of the effects of $b$-tagging on the heavy top-quark signal and backgrounds for the modes of the di-lepton plus two high transverse energy jets at the Fermilab Tevatron. The general characteristics of the heavy top-quark signal events are also discussed so that a comparison can be made between $b$-tagging and imposing stringent kinematical cuts to eliminate backgrounds.Comment: uses PHYZZX and TABLES macros, 10 pages, four figures not included (available by request), FERMILAB-Pub-93/105-

Immobilization of Lipases on Alkyl Silane Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles: Effect of Alkyl Chain Length on Enzyme Activity

Background: Biocatalytic processes often require a full recycling of biocatalysts to optimize economic benefits and minimize waste disposal. Immobilization of biocatalysts onto particulate carriers has been widely explored as an option to meet these requirements. However, surface properties often affect the amount of biocatalysts immobilized, their bioactivity and stability, hampering their wide applications. The aim of this work is to explore how immobilization of lipases onto magnetite nanoparticles affects their biocatalytic performance under carefully controlled surface modification. Methodology/Principal Findings: Magnetite nanoparticles, prepared through a co-precipitation method, were coated with alkyl silanes of different alkyl chain lengths to modulate their surface hydrophobicity. Candida rugosa lipase was then directly immobilized onto the modified nanoparticles through hydrophobic interaction. Enzyme activity was assessed by catalytic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate. The activity of immobilized lipases was found to increase with increasing chain length of the alkyl silane. Furthermore, the catalytic activities of lipases immobilized on trimethoxyl octadecyl silane (C18) modified Fe3O4 were a factor of 2 or more than the values reported from other surface immobilized systems. After 7 recycles, the activities of the lipases immobilized on C18 modified nanoparticles retained 65%, indicating significant enhancement of stability as well through hydrophobic interaction. Lipase immobilized magnetic nanoparticles facilitated easy separation and recycling with high activity retaining. Conclusions/Significance: The activity of immobilized lipases increased with increasing alkyl chain length of the alkyl trimethoxy silanes used in the surface modification of magnetite nanoparticles. Lipase stability was also improved through hydrophobic interaction. Alkyl silane modified magnetite nanoparticles are thus highly attractive carriers for enzyme immobilization enabling efficient enzyme recovery and recycling

Origin and Radiative Forcing of Black Carbon Aerosol: Production and Consumption Perspectives.

Air pollution, a threat to air quality and human health, has attracted ever-increasing attention in recent years. In addition to having local influence, air pollutants can also travel the globe via atmospheric circulation and international trade. Black carbon (BC), emitted from incomplete combustion, is a unique but representative particulate pollutant. This study tracked down the BC aerosol and its direct radiative forcing to the emission sources and final consumers using the global chemical transport model (MOZART-4), the rapid radiative transfer model for general circulation simulations (RRTM), and a multiregional input-output analysis (MRIO). BC was physically transported (i.e., atmospheric transport) from western to eastern countries in the midlatitude westerlies, but its magnitude is near an order of magnitude higher if the virtual flow embodied in international trade is considered. The transboundary effects on East and South Asia by other regions increased from about 3% (physical transport only) to 10% when considering both physical and virtual transport. The influence efficiency on East Asia was also large because of the comparatively large emission intensity and emission-intensive exports (e.g., machinery and equipment). The radiative forcing in Africa imposed by consumption from Europe, North America, and East Asia (0.01 Wm-2) was even larger than the total forcing in North America. Understanding the supply chain and incorporating both atmospheric and virtual transport may improve multilateral cooperation on air pollutant mitigation both domestically and internationally

Phylogeographic patterns and conservation implications of the endangered Chinese giant salamander

Understanding genetic diversity patterns of endangered species is an important premise for biodiversity conservation. The critically endangered salamander Andrias davidianus, endemic to central and southern mainland in China, has suffered from sharp range and population size declines over the past three decades. However, the levels and patterns of genetic diversity of A. davidianus populations in wild remain poorly understood. Herein, we explore the levels and phylogeographic patterns of genetic diversity of wild-caught A. davidianus using larvae and adult collection with the aid of sequence variation in (a) the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments (n = 320 individuals; 33 localities), (b) 19 whole mtDNA genomes, and (c) nuclear recombinase activating gene 2 (RAG2; n = 88 individuals; 19 localities). Phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA datasets uncovered seven divergent mitochondrial clades (A-G), which likely originated in association with the uplifting of mountains during the Late Miocene, specific habitat requirements, barriers including mountains and drainages and lower dispersal ability. The distributions of clades were geographic partitioned and confined in neighboring regions. Furthermore, we discovered some mountains, rivers, and provinces harbored more than one clades. RAG2 analyses revealed no obvious geographic patterns among the five alleles detected. Our study depicts a relatively intact distribution map of A. davidianus clades in natural species range and provides important knowledge that can be used to improve monitoring programs and develop a conservation strategy for this critically endangered organism.Peer reviewe

Bi3.25La0.75Ti2.5Nb0.25(Fe0.5Co0.5)0.25O12, a single phase room temperature multiferroic

Multiferroics (MFs) have attracted great research interest due to the coexistence of ferroelectric and magnetic ordering, as well as magnetoelectric (ME) coupling. At present, there is a very limited number of single-phase MFs known and these are still far from practical applications. In single-phase MFs, the simultaneous presence of electric and magnetic dipoles does not guarantee strong (ME) coupling, as the microscopic mechanisms of ferroelectricity and magnetism are quite different and do not intrinsically interact with each other. Here we show that in the ceramic system, Bi3.25La0.75Ti3−2xNbx(Fe0.5Co0.5)xO12, the x = 0.25 composition is ferroelectrically and ferromagnetically active at room temperature. A single-phase structure is supported by XRD, SEM/EDX and neutron diffraction data. Clear ME couplings were observed in this single-phase material at room temperature, where the magnetic iron and cobalt ions contribute to ferroelectric polarization and magnetic moment simultaneously. The results of structural, electrical and magnetic measurements are supported by first principle calculations. This material represents one of the first truly single phase bulk ceramics that exhibits multiferroic behaviour at room temperature and its discovery will help to guide the design of room temperature single-phase MFs with strong ME coupling for sensors and solid-state memory applications