Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol Equivalents for an Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Apoptolidin C

Apoptolidin C is a biologically active polypropionate macrolide isolated from the soil bacteria Nocardiopsis sp. The work presented herein highlights a novel approach to synthesizing the core of the natural product, apoptolidinone C, as well as a de-novo synthesis of the C9 sacharide. Our synthesis utilizes a catalytic asymmetric approach to the construction of the complex polypropionate arrays contained in apoptolidin through the use of our acyl halide-aldehyde cyclocondensation (AAC) reaction. Employing the AAC technology using cinchona alkaloid derived catalysts, as well as the complementary chiral aluminum catalysts, we have successfully demonstrated a catalytic and asymmetric synthesis of the aglycone core of apoptolidin C. In addition, we have demonstrated the asymmetric synthesis of the C9 saccharide from achiral starting materials

Tissue holder for experimental and Demonstration Surgery

Development of device for holding anatomical tissues during operations is discussed. Device consists of plastic dish with hemispherical recess in center to hold excised eyes. Low vacuum applied to underside of recess insures holding of part

The state of Florida's estuaries and future needs in estuarine research: Part 2. an academic research agenda (review draft)

As a program supporting academic research that addresses recognized societal needs, the Florida Sea Grant Program is developing a research theme area on estuaries to provide a uniquely academic product that will augment mission-oriented research undertaken by government and by the private sector. This report is not a call for proposals. It does not prescribe a specific research plan. Rather, it is a concept paper designed to focus research on two broad "organizing themes": (1) the hydrology of Florida's estuaries, and (2) the impact of cyclic environmental variability on estuarine function. (46pp.

Towards a service system ontology for service science

Service Science is a new interdisciplinary approach to the study, design, implementation, and innovation of service systems. However due to the variety in service research, there is no consensus yet about the theoretical foundation of this domain. In this paper we clarify the service systems worldview proposed by Service Science researchers Spohrer and Kwan by investigating its foundational concepts from the perspective of established service theories and frameworks. By mapping the proposed service system concepts on the selected service theories and frameworks, we investigate their theoretical foundations, examine their proposed definitions and possible conflicting interpretations, discover their likely relationships and general structure, and identify a number of issues that need further discussion and elaboration. This analysis is visualised in a multi-view conceptual model (in the form of a UML class diagram) which we regard as a first step towards an explicitly and formally defined service system ontology

Effect of Planting Coleus blumei on Insect Populations in Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Fields in American Samoa

In a Rapid Rural Appraisal Survey, conducted in American Samoa in November, 1990, farmers reported that planting Coleus blumei (pate in Samoan) with taro (Colocasia esculenta) kept armyworms (Spodoptera litura) and/or planthoppers (Tarophagus proserpina) from their taro fields. Two experiments were conducted at the Land Grant Station in American Samoa from May to November, 1991 and February to August 1992, respectively, to test this hypothesis. In the first study, semi-monthly insect counts were made on two fields, one planted with Coleus blumei in the center and one without the Coleus. Insect data were collected from each of eight quadrates surrounding the Coleus and at three distances away from the center of the field. There were no significant differences in pest incidence between Coleus and non-Coleus fields. Results indicated a slight trend toward fewer armyworms and planthoppers in the field planted with Coleus. A second study compared insect incidence in eight taro plots, four with and four without a border of Coleus. Insect counts were collected semi-monthly. No statistical differences were found between insect incidence in the two types of plots. There was a trend toward more armyworms in the non-Coleus plot. Future studies will focus on examining other environmental factors that might influence taro pest and/or parasite incidence, as well as modifications in experimental design

Co-creation of Value in IT Service Processes Using Semantic MediaWiki

Abstract: Enterprises are substituting their own IT-Systems by services provided by external providers. This provisioning of services may be done in an industrialized way, separating the service provider from the consumer. However, using industrialized services diminishes the capability to differentiate from competitors. To counter this, collaborative service processes based on the co-creation of value between service providers and prosumers are of huge importance. The approach presented shows how the co-creation of value in IT-service processes can profit from social software, using the example of the Semantic MediaWiki

Expanding understanding of service exchange and value co-creation: A social construction approach

According to service-dominant logic (S-D logic), all providers are service providers, and service is the fundamental basis of exchange. Value is co-created with customers and assessed on the basis of value-in-context. However, the extensive literature on S-D logic could benefit from paying explicit attention to the fact that both service exchange and value co-creation are influenced by social forces. The aim of this study is to expand understanding of service exchange and value co-creation by complementing these central aspects of S-D logic with key concepts from social construction theories (social structures, social systems, roles, positions, interactions, and reproduction of social structures). The study develops and describes a new framework for understanding how the concepts of service exchange and value co-creation are affected by recognizing that they are embedded in social systems. The study contends that value should be understood as value-in-social-context and that value is a social construction. Value co-creation is shaped by social forces, is reproduced in social structures, and can be asymmetric for the actors involved. Service exchanges are dynamic, and actors learn and change their roles within dynamic service systems

Is It Easy to Be Urban? Convergent Success in Urban Habitats among Lineages of a Widespread Native Ant

The most rapidly expanding habitat globally is the urban habitat, yet the origin and life histories of the populations of native species that inhabit this habitat remain poorly understood. We use DNA barcoding of the COI gene in the widespread native pest ant Tapinoma sessile to test two hypotheses regarding the origin of urban populations and traits associated with their success. First, we determine if urban samples of T. sessile have a single origin from natural populations by looking at patterns of haplotype clustering from across their range. Second, we examine whether polygynous colony structure – a trait associated with invasion success – is correlated with urban environments, by studying the lineage dependence of colony structure. Our phylogenetic analysis of 49 samples identified four well supported geographic clades. Within clades, Kimura-2 parameter pairwise genetic distances revealed <2.3% variation; however, between clade genetic distances were 7.5–10.0%, suggesting the possibility of the presence of cryptic species. Our results indicate that T. sessile has successfully colonized urban environments multiple times. Additionally, polygynous colony structure is a highly plastic trait across habitat, clade, and haplotype. In short, T. sessile has colonized urban habitats repeatedly and appears to do so using life history strategies already present in more natural populations. Whether similar results hold for other species found in urban habitats has scarcely begun to be considered