On the metric dimension of Grassmann graphs

The {\em metric dimension} of a graph $\Gamma$ is the least number of vertices in a set with the property that the list of distances from any vertex to those in the set uniquely identifies that vertex. We consider the Grassmann graph $G_q(n,k)$ (whose vertices are the $k$-subspaces of $\mathbb{F}_q^n$, and are adjacent if they intersect in a $(k-1)$-subspace) for $k\geq 2$, and find a constructive upper bound on its metric dimension. Our bound is equal to the number of 1-dimensional subspaces of $\mathbb{F}_q^n$.Comment: 9 pages. Revised to correct an error in Proposition 9 of the previous versio

The Grail Quest Theme in \u3ci\u3eThat Hideous Strength\u3c/i\u3e

Postulates that while Ransom is the most obvious candidate for the Fisher King in THS, Jane Studdock is cast as a Grail quester in spite of her gender and the fact that she is married, and in effect achieves the Grail at the end

Studies on the Amylolytic Breakdown of Damaged Starch in Cereal and Non-cereal Flours

The term starch damage refers to a number of changes to the starch granule structure, which are detectable by different analytical techniques. Damaged starch is the substrate for amylases, which in turn provides carbohydrates that are used in the production of certain foods and food ingredients; as a result, therefore, determination of levels in flours is a procedure carried out routinely by many manufacturers of starch based products. Enzymatic assay methods emulate the susceptibility of damaged starch granules to enzymatic attack. The first aim of this study was to evaluate enzymatic methods(1,2) to determine damaged starch in wheat flours and non-wheat flours. The most reliable and simplest method tested was the AACC 76-31 method(2) (used in the form of a kit); this could be replaced with other enzymes and reagents, which was just as effective and less costly. The effect of different types of enzymes (fungal alpha amylase and pancreatic alpha amylase) and the effect of their incubation times on a variety of flour samples was also examined. The products of enzymatic digestion of damaged starch were identified and quantified using two HPLC systems(3). It was found that the two enzymes tested produced different combinations of reducing sugars (mainly glucose, maltose and maltotriose) in the different flours tested and that the rate of breakdown of these flours over a 60 minute time period also varied. “Percent maltose values” correlated well with percentage damaged starch results obtained by an enzymatic colorimetric method (r2= 0.98). These effects on the starch granule were observed using a Scanning Electron Microscope. No difference was observed in the breakdown patterns of the two enzymes but differences in the way in which the A and B type crystalline structures digest was seen. The general progress of breakdown of the starch granules could be seen but it was not clearly distinguishable at ten minute intervals. Finally, starch granules were examined with regard to starch crystallinity using x-ray powder diffraction. No reduction in crystallinity of the starch in the flours tested was found following digestion for up to a period of sixty minutes

Arrowmont at Loghaven: Craft and Art

This thesis provides the theoretic framework along with the research into site, program and precedent to support a design proposal for Arrowmont at Loghaven. The goal was to show that spatial organization that both differentiates and unites opposites can be a catalyst for personal and cultural development. The methodology of Christian Norberg-Schulz’s structure of space was used to explore the dynamic tension that enlivens architecture at various levels. The thesis explores the hypothesis that relationships that are created by a process of integration, can bring balance, and therefore health, to the individual, the community and the culture. The final design proposal of Arrowmont at Loghaven demonstrates that this method of integrated spatial composition can be the basis of an architecture that supports personal and social development. Extensive site analysis on Loghaven property in Knoxville TN was the basis for an integrated conservation and development plan for the entire 100 acre parcel, as well as yielding recommendations for the acquisition of adjacent properties. Program analysis on the existing Arrowmont School in Gatlingburg TN, as well as three other arts and craft schools served as the basis for the planning of the overall campus site. The work of Frank Lloyd Wright serves as the precedent for a way to balance spatial opposites, illustrating a healthy nature/culture dynamic. The architectural design of the central complex of community buildings was based on Wright’s concept of organic architecture, and is illustrated with plans, sections, axonometric renderings, photos of models, and perspectives. The conclusion of this thesis investigation resulted in an integrated plan and design that balances the need to protect the conservation values of the property, while providing a framework for development and architectural intervention. Therefore, the resulting architectural dynamic, at all levels of spatial composition described in the theoretic portions of the thesis, supports healthy development in individuals and the culture of Arrowmont at Loghaven

Plant pathogens as biocontrol agents for Cirsium arvense : an answer to Müller and Nentwig

Recently, Müller and Nentwig (2011) reviewed the plant pathogens that have been considered for biological control of the weed Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (Canada thistle, Californian thistle, creeping thistle), and concluded that the prospects have been largely overestimated. The premise of their conclusion is that no bioherbicide products have achieved marketability, which they surmise is due to lack of host specificity, effectiveness, and issues with application. While it is true that no microbial products have achieved marketability for this weed, we believe their reasoning for this is erroneous, and likely due to lack of distinction between two biocontrol approaches, specifically classical biocontrol, and innundative biocontrol (often referred to as the biopesticide approach). These two different types of biocontrol have different goals, and are applied in different ways

Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education: Reforming Classrooms by Training Current and Future Faculty

In the absence of formal pedagogical training, educators tend to teach the way they were taught, using traditional lecturing. Numerous studies have shown that engaging students in active learning improves student learning and retention of knowledge. Reforming STEM education has become a national imperative. Since the turn of the millennium, many initiatives have sprung forth in response to a growing awareness of the need for reform in post-secondary biology education. The National Academies Summer Institutes (NASI) is one such initiative. The Summer Institutes provide training in evidence-based strategies for biology educators from primarily research universities where lecture-based teaching in large enrollment introductory classes results in unacceptable rates of attrition. In 2010, the first regional offshoot of the SIs was piloted at West Virginia University (NASI WVU) which expanded the reach of the SIs by serving current and future STEM faculty from any post-secondary institution. Analysis of exit survey indicated that the original SI, participants of the NASI WVU highly valued the experience and reported increases in teaching knowledge, skill and implementation of active learning strategies regardless of discipline or rank. While current and future faculty reported differences in their opportunities to teach and reported using active learning strategies at different frequencies, they both reported using active learning strategies at higher rates after the NASI WVU compared to before. A small theme analysis of open-ended responses on support to implement scientific teaching or challenges they would face revealed that both current and future faculty identified peer support as key in improving their instruction. When teaching videos of participants were evaluated with validated observation protocols, the participants were found to use higher levels of both active and student-centered strategies (p\u3e0.05) than a control cohort of STEM faculty who did not take part in the NASI WVU. In addition to directly training current and future faculty, the SIs have provided a model for programs to train graduate students and teaching assistants (TAs) in evidence-based teaching. The program developed at WVU to train graduate TAs for the newly reformed introductory biology teaching laboratory (BIOL 115/117) employed a combination of SI workshops and peer-review to foster reflective teaching practices and adoption of student-centered approaches. Teaching assistants who took part in this training program were evaluated with two observation protocols. Teaching assistants were found not to be significantly higher in their use of active learning or student-centered strategies after two rounds of peer-review that focused feedback on increasing use of these strategies. Varying outcomes for the graduate teaching assistants indicate that while scientific teaching workshop does create changes towards student-centeredness, there still needs to be refinement that will indicate similar improvements are occurring in graduate students as seen in faculty instructors

Identification of differentially expressed genes in breast cancer tissues and cells

Breast cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among women in developed countries, and the incidence of morbidity and mortality is rising in developing countries. The purpose of this project was to utilize the differential display technique to identify genetic changes in normal versus malignant breast tissue. It was also used in a defined cell culture system having differential cellular characteristics, to identify genes that may be responsible for different biological behavior of these cell lines. Messenger RNA from normal, breast cancer tissues, and breast tissues from reduction mamoplasty yielded fifty-nine differentially expressed bands representing differentially expressed genes. Northern hybridization analysis proved negative, suggesting that these genes may represent low abundant message. mRNA from two clones; one tumorigenic, and the other non-tumorigenic in nude mice; obtained by stable transfection of galectin-3 gene in a non-tumorigenic BT 549 breast cell line, was analyzed by differential display. Galectin-3, a calcium independent carbohydrate binding protein has been shown to be involved in many biological processes, but its exact function is still unclear. A 607 bp fragment was differentially expressed by the tumorigenic clone, and DNA sequence of which revealed a 93% homology with the human Line 1 retrotransposon (Ll). Ll is a poly-A mobile element, and its insertion into functional genes has been implicated in human diseases, including breast cancer, however its role in breast cancer is not clear. To determine the locale and expression of galectin-3 and L1 in normal versus tumor tissues, immunohistochemical analysis of breast carcinoma specimens, fibrocystic, normal breast tissues, and the tumorigenic clone of BT 549, 11-9-1-4, was performed. L1 and galectin-3 was found to be co-localized, and the imrnuno-staining was most intense in tumor tissue, and was minimal in normal tissue. Staining was significantly correlated with disease progression and tumor recurrence, suggesting that the expression of galectin-3 and L1 may represent a new mechanism by which breast tumor cells acquire aggressive phenotype. However, the interaction of L1 and galectin-3, if any, and their influence on tumor development and progression remains to be determined