Research Tool Patents and Free-Libre Biotechnology: A Unified Perspective.

This paper proposes a unified conceptual framework to analyse the multiple role and consequences of patents in the case of biotechnology research tools. We argue that the knowledge/information and independent/complementary nature of research tools define heterogeneous frameworks in which the patent system plays different roles. In particular, using the analogy with the free-libre open source movement in software, we show that patents can promote open innovation by ensuring the freedom of some pieces of knowledge. A strong conclusion of the paper is therefore that, against common belief, an adequate use of the patent system may contribute to preserving freedom of access to upstream research tools within a framework that we call free-libre biotechnology.Intellectual property rights, sequential innovation, open source, life science, collective invention.

Village Homes, Davis California: A Learning Lab for Future Planners

Built in the 1970s, Village Homes is an extremely successful housing development in Davis, California, and considered a model of sustainable community design. Energy-conscious houses are organized around a system of pedestrian-friendly streets and open spaces, with community facilities, shared gardens, orchards, and vineyards, all managed by residents. Professor Paul Wack, a founder of the Sustainable Environments minor in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, has been adopting it as a case-study for his classes for several years

Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Mediating Pheromonal Modulation of Behavior in Terrestrial Salamanders

Pheromones are chemosensory cues released by an individual to cause a behavioral or physiological change in a conspecific. These changes can range from increasing a female\u27s receptivity to altering hormone secretions in the body. The red-legged salamander (Plethodon shermani) is an emerging non-mammalian model for understanding the evolution of chemical communication due to their well-characterized pheromones. Plethodontid salamanders secrete pheromones from their submandibular gland, called mental gland pheromones. Previous studies showed that mental gland pheromones increased receptivity in females during courtship and also increased corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in males. CORT is a metabolic hormone that mediates vertebrate stress responses. To further understand the neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in behavioral and physiological responses to pheromones, I conducted several experiments. First, I investigated whether pheromones altered levels of two neuromodulators in the brain, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and arginine vasotocin (AVT) in P. shermani. GnRH is both a neuromodulator and hormone, and has strong effects on reproductive behavior. Additionally, AVT has broad behavioral effects in vertebrates, particularly in newts. I found that application of mental gland pheromones altered the number of GnRH-immunoreactive neurons, but had no effect on the number of AVT-immunoreactive neurons. Second, I examined the effects of AVT and AVP antagonist on courtship and mating in dusky salamanders (Desmognathus spp.). There was no effect of AVT or antagonist on reproductive behaviors in dusky salamanders. Finally, I investigated the role of increased CORT concentrations in male P. shermani. I first validated a non-invasive method to transdermally deliver CORT through a dermal patch. I then used dermal patches to exogenously elevate plasma CORT and examine the effects of CORT on behavior (activity and chemoinvestigation) and metabolism. CORT had no effect on behavior, but increased metabolic rates in male red-legged salamanders. Together these studies provide insight into the mechanisms by which pheromones work to alter behaviors and physiological functions in vertebrates

Sustainability and Interdisciplinary Education: Planning and the CAED Sustainable Environments Program

For the past fifteen years, through an interdepartmental effort, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design has been offering an interdisciplinary minor on Sustainable Environments. CRP professor Paul Wack, a devoted co-founder and one of its most popular instructors, writes about this unique and popular initiative which recently received a national educational award from the American Institute of Architects

Bridging barriers in inclusive classrooms: Avenues for communication between general education teachers and families

Family-teacher communications have proven beneficial for the academic, social and behavioral success of students at all levels. Research studies have specifically examined this dynamic as it relates to general education teachers and general education families, teachers and families at the primary level, and special education teachers and special education families. However, there is minimal research regarding communication strategies between families of students with disabilities (FSWDs) and general education teachers of inclusive classrooms (GETINs) at the high school level. In order to address this gap in the literature, this action research study investigated the following research questions: 1) To what extent do the perspectives of GETINs and FSWDs at the high school level reflect the social and/or medical models of disability? 2) How do the dynamics of an inclusive classroom impact the communication barriers faced between teachers and families? 3) How can certain avenues and styles of communication foster positive collaboration between GETINs and FSWDs at the high school level? Using Disability Studies as the theoretical framework, this research was conducted using an interpretivist explanatory sequential mixed-methodology approach. Participants consisted of forty FSWDs and thirty-six GETINs. Data was collected using Likert scale surveys, open-ended response questions, and focus group meetings. Both integrative and convergent methods were used to analyze the data. The results of the study confirmed that much of the literature regarding family-teacher communications is applicable and relevant to an area not previously studied, the high school inclusive classroom. This study filled a gap and added to the literature by identifying dynamics that are unique to the inclusive classroom and by providing steps to improve those dynamics. This study also determined specific styles and avenues of communication that GETINs and FSWDs can use to not only collaborate for students, but also with students

Haches et herminettes en pierre de Guyane française

Peu d'archéologues ont à ce jour étudié les outils en pierre bien que ceux-ci - et tout particulièrement les haches et les herminettes - eussent été essentiels à l'Amérindien pour la vie en forêt. En Guyane française, la plus grande part du matériel lithique connu est poli. Il est classé selon une typologie morphologique et dimensionnelle. La nature des roches utilisées suggère un choix pétrographique minutieux de la part des artisans amérindiens. La pierre, après polissage sur un rocher, était ensuite généralement emmanchée dans un bois, selon diverses techniques. Les haches et les herminettes ont pour principales fonctions le travail et l'armement, mais également des destinations symboliques ou cultuelles. Exception faite de quelques types régionaux, les mêmes types de lames se retrouvent en Amazonie, dans toutes les Guyanes et sur les Antilles. Encore utilisée par de rares groupes amérindiens, en même temps qu'objet de légendes pour d'aucuns, la hache de pierre commence seulement à être étudiée et ouvre à l'archéologue un champ d'investigation prometteur. (Résumé d'auteur

Structure elucidation of polyheptazine imide by electron diffraction — a templated 2D carbon nitride networkw

Structure elucidation of a condensed carbon IV) nitride with a stoichiometry close to C3N4 by electron diffraction reveals a two-dimensional planar heptazine-based network containing isolated melamine molecules in the trigonal voids

Normalization in Supernatural deduction and in Deduction modulo

Deduction modulo and Supernatural deduction are two extentions of predicate logic with computation rules. Whereas the application of computation rules in deduction modulo is transparent, these rules are used to build non-logical deduction rules in Supernatural deduction. In both cases, adding computation rules may jeopardize proof normalization, but various conditions have been given in both cases, so that normalization is preserved. We prove in this paper that normalization in Supernatural deduction and in Deduction modulo are equivalent, i.e. the set of computation rules for which one system strongly normalizes is the same as the set of computation rules for which the other is