Symmetry properties of tetraammine platinum(Ⅱ) with C2v and C4v point groups

Let G be a weighted graph with adjacency matrixA=[aij]. An Euclidean graph associated with a molecule is defined by a weighted graph with adjacency matrix D=[dij], where for i≠j, dij is the Euclidean distance between the nuclei i andj. In this matrix dij can be taken as zero ifall the nuclei are equivalent. Otherwise, one may introduce different weights for different nuclei. Balasubramanian (1995) computed the Euclidean graphs and their automorphism groups for benzene, eclipsed and staggered forms of ethane and eclipsed and staggered forms of ferrocene. This paper describes a simple method, by means of which it is possible to calculate the automorphism group of weighted graphs. We apply this method to compute the symmetry of tetraammine platinum(Ⅱ) with C2v and C4v point groups.     

Microbial control of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L.(Lepidoptera:Yponomeutidae) using bacteria (Xenorhabdus nematophila) and its metabolites from the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae

Cells and cell-free solutions of the culture filtrate of the bacterial symbiont, Xenorhabdus nematophila taken from the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae in aqueous broth suspensions were lethal to larvae of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella. Their application on leaves of Chinese cabbage indicated that the cells can penetrate into the insects in the absence of the nematode vector. Cell-free solutions containing metabolites were also proved as effective as bacterial cells suspension. The application of aqueous suspensions of cells of X. nematophila or solutions containing its toxic metabolites to the leaves represents a possible new strategy for controlling insect pests on foliage.     

Continuous improvement in the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering programme at Kuwait University

This paper describes the process employed by the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering programme at Kuwait University to continuously improve the programme. Using a continuous improvement framework, the paper demonstrates how various qualitative and quantitative analyses methods, such as hypothesis testing and control charts, have been applied to the results of four assessment tools and other data sources to improve performance. Important improvements include the need to reconsider two student outcomes as they were difficult to implement in courses. In addition, through benchmarking and the engagement of Alumni and Employers, key decisions were made to improve the curriculum and enhance employability.     

Friendship and Fandom: Ethnicity,power and gendering readings of the popular

This paper explores the relationships between knowledge of popular culture and power negotiations among young children's friendship groups and derives from a research project on the identity formations of 'mixed race' children. The paper begins with a consideration of existing work on music, ethnicity and cultural identities and how this is implicated in formations of 'imagined communities' (Anderson, 1991, Imagined Communities , Verso). Next, I look at the ways in which this work has been gendered with particular reference to the female music 'fan'. Throughout I use data from my research to show how the children engaged in friendship/power relationships that challenge much of this material. The paper centralises the way readings are used by friends in processes that are implicated in en/gendering identities and identifications - how likes and dislikes are mobilised differently among children who are becoming 'boys' and 'girls' who are friends, through use of the love/loathe discourses. The allegiance work is saturated with and constitutive of relations of power/knowledge which are both painful and pleasurable for children who are differently positioned within networks of learning and cultural expertise.     

Optimization of cultural conditions for thermostable β-1,3-1,4-glucanase production by Bacillus subtilis ZJF-1A5

The optimization of cultural conditions for β-glucanase production by Bacillus subtilis ZJF-1A5 was investigated in flask trials. Temperature had gre at effect on β-glucanase production which maximized at optimal temperature of 37 ℃ and decreased significantly when temperature was over 37℃.Charge quantity af fected β-glucanase production significantly. Adding oxygen vector N-dodec ane or acetic ether benefited β-glucanase production, but it depended on the conc entrat ion and charge quantity. The results of fractional factorial design showed that age and size of inoculum and shaking speed were the key factors affecting β -gluc anase production and the cultivation time span to reach the highest β-gluc anase activity. The optimal cultural conditions for β-glucanase production obtai ned wi th CCD were as follows: inoculum age and size (16 h, 3.82%(v/v)), shaking speed 2 10 r/min, charge quantity of 30 mL in 250 mL flask and initial pH 7.0, cultured at 37℃ for 50 h. Repeated experimental results accorded with those predicted b y a second-order polynomial model. The amount of β-glucanase, α-amylase and neut ral protease produced by B subtilis ZJF-1A5 was associated partially with c ell g rowth. Those three enzymes' activities increased following the cell growth and i ncreased significantly when cells entered the stationary phase.     

Compelling evidence: an influence on middle school students’ accounts that may impact decision-making about socioscientific issues

This study investigates how middle school students make hypothetical purchasing, consuming, and voting decisions about environmental and science-related issues – a key component of environmental literacy. Fifty-three female students were given a packet containing multiple excerpts of information from conflicting positions from stakeholders and interviewed about how they would make decisions about environmental and science-related issues. We first investigated whether and how information presented as evidence influenced students’ accounts that may impact their decision-making (i.e. to make or change decisions). We then investigated how evidence type affected students’ decision-making. Findings indicated that most students did not change their stance after reading additional contrasting information presented as evidence. Implications for science teaching and learning are discussed.     

Destabilizing Critical “Assumptions” in (English) Language Teaching: An Introduction

ABSTRACT

This introduction unpacks the scope of the special issue (SI), and underscores the guest editors’ desire to prompt readers to engage with and reflect upon critical assumptions and unanswered questions within—and pertaining to—ELT.     

乡村振兴背景下涉农高校MPAcc教育适切性发展研究 ——基于对22所培养单位的考察

基于教育适切性从人才培养、科学研究、社会服务维度分析涉农MPAcc培养单位实化知农助农会计人才培养使命、推进与涉农学科融合、强化乡村财会专业实践与实务研究等现实行动,发现存在适切培育德才兼备会计人才有待加强、与涉农及数字智能等学科融合不够深入、服务乡村振兴等战略需求的广度与深度有待拓展等问题。认为在“双一流”建设与研究生教育高质量发展的新时期,MPAcc教育应强化爱农等思政引领推进研究生培养模式创新、基于科技产业融合情境推进与新农科等学科深度交融、适切大国“三农”等重大需求提升学科服务经济社会的成效。     

A comparative study of conventional and supercritical fluid extraction methods for the recovery of secondary metabolites from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syzygium campanulatum</Emphasis> Korth

Syzygium campanulatum Korth is a plant, which is a rich source of secondary metabolites (especially flavanones, chalcone, and triterpenoids). In our present study, three conventional solvent extraction (CSE) techniques and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) techniques were performed to achieve a maximum recovery of two flavanones, chalcone, and two triterpenoids from S. campanulatum leaves. Furthermore, a Box-Behnken design was constructed for the SFE technique using pressure, temperature, and particle size as independent variables, and yields of crude extract, individual and total secondary metabolites as the dependent variables. In the CSE procedure, twenty extracts were produced using ten different solvents and three techniques (maceration, soxhletion, and reflux). An enriched extract of five secondary metabolites was collected using n-hexane:methanol (1:1) soxhletion. Using food-grade ethanol as a modifier, the SFE methods produced a higher recovery (25.5%?84.9%) of selected secondary metabolites as compared to the CSE techniques (0.92%?66.00%).     

A cross-cultural validity of the E-learning Acceptance Measure (ElAM) in Lebanon and England: A confirmatory factor analysis

Despite the prevalence and significance of e-learning in education, there is a dearth of published instruments for educational researchers and practitioners that measure users’ acceptance of e-learning. To meet this need, Teo (2010) developed the E-learning Acceptance Measure (ElAM). The main objective of this paper is to validate the ElAM (Teo, 2010) across two cultures, one is from a European country: England, and the other from Asia: Lebanon. A total sample of 461 university students from two private universities in Lebanon (n?=?209) and one university in England (n?=?252) participated in this study. Using confirmatory factor analyses, our findings revealed that the original 3-factor solution for ElAM (Teo, 2010) was supported and found to be adequate for the British sample, whereas the results revealed a bad fit for the Lebanese sample. Despite the differences, the ElAM was found to possess an acceptable level of internal consistency and item reliability for the pooled sample. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed at the end of the paper.