Beware of the Parallel-Replacement Zombies

In this paper, the authors discuss the use of computer homework systems and describe what many students do when they are completing their work online. Strategies are provided to help students develop a more conceptual understanding of mathematics and help to avoid the number replacement method

The Grizzly, August 28, 2003

Class of 2007 Largest in Ursinus History • Extreme Campus Makeover • Moving In: Photo Essay by Ann Antanavage • Opinion: Freshmen Move-in Experience: Great Expectations • UC Welcomes New Faculty • PAC Groundbreaking • Nonsense! • Back to School Guide to Collegeville and Surrounding Areas • Rules of Ursinus College in 1957 • Fall 2003 Sports Schedulehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1538/thumbnail.jp

EV’s Leading in China, Ford is a Few Cars Behind

As the world is looking at sustainable energy sources, electric vehicles are likely to be a big part of the perceived future. China has 18.47% of the world’s population, is one of the highest emitters of carbon dioxide, and is the world’s largest market for electric vehicles (Country Meters). China’s GDP was USD 13.608 trillion in 2018 and is expected to increase substantially in coming years (Wang, 2019). With 25 million vehicles sold in 2019, China’s automobile market is the biggest in the world. With that, China accounts for 27.52% of the world’s CO2 emissions (Statista). To decrease that number, China stated in 2019 their goal was to have 60% of all automobiles sold in 2035 to run on electric motors (Tian, 2019). With car sales in China declining rapidly over the past 3 years, automobile companies are looking for a way to develop a sustainable competitive advantage. Ford Motor Company, a $156 billion global leader, has been struggling to compete in China and is now looking to the electric vehicle market as a way to expand. However, China’s EV market is hypercompetitive with over 400 domestic EV manufacturers, including some multinationals like General Motors. To differentiate themselves from the competition, Ford announced plans of building facilities that will specialize in creating technology for their EV’s. SYNC+ is a popular technological option available to enhance the consumers experience (Media Ford, 2019). However, investment in technology could raise the prices of their vehicles. With annual income in China at about 82,413 yuan ($11,727 USD), raising prices may not be an option for Ford (Statista). This case study discusses the many challenges that Ford faces in China and how it needs to change its marketing mix in order to succeed there. Keywords: Ford, China, Electric Vehicles, Pollution, Environment, Automobiles, Case Study, Emerging Markets, International marketin

The Grizzly, September 13, 2001

Eating in Wismer: The Crunch at Lunch • America. No Longer the Beautiful • Collegeville Police Crack Down on Ursinus Students • A New Look and New Menu at Wismer • Service Woes for Select Residents • Opinions: Wismer Bussing: A Major Problem; New Social Host Policy a Wet Blanket • International Film Festival Brings Foreign Flair to Ursinus College Campus • Review of the Restaurant La Fontana • Unconventional Fringe Fest Takes Over Philly • Like Old Movies? Then the Colonial Theater is the Place to Be • Pizza: Where\u27s the Best Buy for Your Money? • Ursinus Webpage is Getting a Makeover • Colonization of Sigma Sigma Sigma • Duncan Breaks Record as Ursinus Downs Waynesburg • Cross Country Breezes Through LBV Invitational • Two Tough Teams Equal First Two Losses for Men\u27s Soccer • UC Women\u27s Volleyball Defeats Wilkes for Third Win • Bears Fall to Montclair; Tie with Widener • UC Field Hockey Takes Slap Shot • Soccer Teams Without a Home Fieldhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1493/thumbnail.jp

RAD sequencing resolves fine-scale population structure in a benthic invertebrate: implications for understanding phenotypic plasticity.

The field of molecular ecology is transitioning from the use of small panels of classical genetic markers such as microsatellites to much larger panels of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by approaches like RAD sequencing. However, few empirical studies have directly compared the ability of these methods to resolve population structure. This could have implications for understanding phenotypic plasticity, as many previous studies of natural populations may have lacked the power to detect genetic differences, especially over micro-geographic scales. We therefore compared the ability of microsatellites and RAD sequencing to resolve fine-scale population structure in a commercially important benthic invertebrate by genotyping great scallops (Pecten maximus) from nine populations around Northern Ireland at 13 microsatellites and 10 539 SNPs. The shells were then subjected to morphometric and colour analysis in order to compare patterns of phenotypic and genetic variation. We found that RAD sequencing was superior at resolving population structure, yielding higher Fst values and support for two distinct genetic clusters, whereas only one cluster could be detected in a Bayesian analysis of the microsatellite dataset. Furthermore, appreciable phenotypic variation was observed in size-independent shell shape and coloration, including among localities that could not be distinguished from one another genetically, providing support for the notion that these traits are phenotypically plastic. Taken together, our results suggest that RAD sequencing is a powerful approach for studying population structure and phenotypic plasticity in natural populations

A simple method for construction of pir+ Enterobacterial hosts for maintenance of R6K replicon plasmids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The R6K replicon is one of the best studied bacterial plasmid replicons. Replication of the R6K plasmid and derivatives harboring its γ origin of replication (<it>ori</it>_R6Kγ) is dependent on the <it>pir </it>gene-encoded π protein. Originally encoded by R6K, this protein is usually provided <it>in trans </it>in hosts engineered to support replication of plasmids harboring <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ. In <it>Escherichia coli </it>this is commonly achieved by chromosomal integration of <it>pir </it>either via lysogenization with a λ<it>pir </it>phage or homologous recombination at a pre-determined locus.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Current methods for construction of host strains for <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ-containing plasmids involve procedures that do not allow selection for presence of the <it>pir </it>gene and require cumbersome and time-consuming screening steps. In this study, we established a mini-Tn<it>7</it>-based method for rapid and reliable construction of <it>pir</it>⁺host strains. Using a curable mini-Tn<it>7 </it>delivery plasmid, <it>pir </it>expressing derivatives of several commonly used <it>E. coli </it>cloning and mobilizer strains were isolated using both the wild-type <it>pir⁺</it>gene as well as the copy-up <it>pir-116 </it>allele. In addition, we isolated <it>pir</it>⁺and <it>pir-116 </it>expressing derivatives of a clinical isolate of <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium. In both <it>E. coli </it>and <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium, the presence of the <it>pir⁺</it>wild-type or <it>pir-116 </it>alleles allowed the replication of <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ-containing plasmids.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A mini-Tn<it>7 </it>system was employed for rapid and reliable engineering of <it>E. coli </it>and <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium host strains for plasmids containing <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ. Since mini-Tn7 elements transpose in most, if not all, Gram negative bacteria, we anticipate that with relatively minor modifications this newly established method will for the first time allow engineering of other bacterial species to enable replication of plasmids with <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ.</p

RAD sequencing resolves fine-scale population structure in a benthic invertebrate: implications for understanding phenotypic plasticity

The field of molecular ecology is transitioning from the use of small panels of classical genetic markers such as microsatellites to much larger panels of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by approaches like RAD sequencing. However, few empirical studies have directly compared the ability of these methods to resolve population structure. This could have implications for understanding phenotypic plasticity, as many previous studies of natural populations may have lacked the power to detect genetic differences, especially over micro-geographic scales. We therefore compared the ability of microsatellites and RAD sequencing to resolve fine-scale population structure in a commercially important benthic invertebrate by genotyping great scallops (Pecten maximus) from nine populations around Northern Ireland at 13 microsatellites and 10 539 SNPs. The shells were then subjected to morphometric and colour analysis in order to compare patterns of phenotypic and genetic variation. We found that RAD sequencing was superior at resolving population structure, yielding higher Fst values and support for two distinct genetic clusters, whereas only one cluster could be detected in a Bayesian analysis of the microsatellite dataset. Furthermore, appreciable phenotypic variation was observed in size-independent shell shape and coloration, including among localities that could not be distinguished from one another genetically, providing support for the notion that these traits are phenotypically plastic. Taken together, our results suggest that RAD sequencing is a powerful approach for studying population structure and phenotypic plasticity in natural populations

The Grizzly, November 8, 2001

Construction on Campus Continues as Scheduled • UC Leadership Scholars Attend Annual Halloween Concert • An Evening with Alice Parker a Musical Success • Peace Corps and City Year Representatives Speak About Careers in Common Good • Anthrax Vaccine at Center of Controversy • Opinions: Closed Courses and Wait Lists: Nightmares of Registration; Pop Goes the Quiz! • Gospel Choir Sings out for Peace, Prayer and Healing; Concert a Great Success • Judy Chicago is Coming! World-famous Artist to Visit Ursinus • Influenza Season is Upon Us • Comparative Prices on Museums • Self Protection Facts: What You Need to Know • Power of Dance • Rushing Season Begins Again • Gettysburg Becomes New CC Men\u27s Soccer Champion • UC Women\u27s Rugby Fighting the Good Fight • NCAA Volleyball Semi-finals • UC Downs FDUhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1500/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 18, 2001

Sisters of Omega Chi Sponsor Blood Drive • Taking a Hike with the Environmental Studies Classes • World Cultures Club Encourages Campus-Wide Cultural Awareness • Gil Cook and Heather Potts Named 2001 Homecoming King and Queen • Understanding the Social Norms at Ursinus College • Ursinus Bookstore Holding Coat and Blanket Drive • Ursinus Alumna Martha Kriebel Reflects on the Unexpected Turns in Life\u27s Path • The Economic Effects of Terrorism • Struggling to Survive: The Way of Life for Women in Afghanistan • From Mexico to Collegeville: International Exchange Student Enrique Cobarrubias • Sophomore Week: Helping Students Reach Academic Goals • Second Annual Take Back the Night Rally & March Planned for Next Week • Opinions: Lady Wismer Attacks Students Saying Next Time, I\u27m Gonna Nail You! ; A Student\u27s Battle with Smoking; New Gym is Great, not Awkward; Message of Tolerance and Peace; One Resident Complains: Loss of Interest in Special Interest Houses • Dr. David Releases his own CD • New Road Brewhouse Ready to Rock! • Scary Way to Have a Fun Fall Day • Chinese Food: The Staple of Every College Student\u27s Diet • Can\u27t Decide What to do after Graduation? This Online Program Will Help • Class of 2003 has a new President • Ruby\u27s Restaurant: A Tasty Time Capsule • Give the Wismer Staff a Break: They\u27re Working for You • Who is Grizzly the Bear? • Ursinus Field Hockey Takes Victory over Holy Cross • Bears Wake from Hibernation; Crush Gettysburg 31-7 • Men\u27s Soccer Meets Gettysburg • Volleyball Wins Against Bryn Mawr and U. of the Sciences • XC Cleans up at Lehigh University • Barth Becomes Record-holder for Points • Field Hockey Changing NCAA Division • Women\u27s Soccer Rocks the Househttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1497/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 29, 2001

UC Blueskies Calls for Help with Recycling • AIDS Legacy Continues in Poor Countries • Economics and Business Administration Panel Discussion Offers Students Advice on Finding Job Connections • Volunteers Wanted for NBA League Jam Session • UC Group Makes Plans for Alternative Spring Break • New California Law Enables Women to Obtain Emergency Contraceptive Pills without a Prescription • Opinions: So This is Christmas?; Family Bonding is Better than Trip to Spain; Letter of Apology • Messiah to Hit the Stage • Jazz Ensemble Keeps it Swinging • Comparative Pricing: Local Gasoline • Dougherty Finishes 123rd at Nationals • 8+6+9 = Success for UC Wrestling Team • Lady Bears Knocked off by Susquehanna • Duncan Selected as a Finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy • Captains Leading the Way to Victory for Bears Swimming • Bears Basketball Still Looking for First Winhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1502/thumbnail.jp