Solid acid catalysts in Green Chemistry

In the first part of this article, the principles of functioning of the solid acid catalysts, their nature and preparation of a few types were described. In this part, some practical examples of such catalysts employed in the synthesis of several organic compounds are presented, which illustrate the extent to which catalysts help reduce pollution, cut costs of production, etc., that are important principles of Green Chemistry. Leena Rao is Reader, Department of Chemistry, SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sion, Mumbai. Her current research interests are green technologies in synthetic organic chemistry. She is actively associated with Bombay Association of Science Educaion, Mumbai.     

IBM—PC系列机硬盘引导及故障排除

本文简要分析IBM—PC系列机及其兼容机硬盘的引导过程,并以典型实例说明硬盘引导失败的原因及其修复方法。     

中小学校园性侵害预防机制的构建

近年来,中小学校园性侵害频频发生,已引起社会各界的强烈反响。教师对学生实施的性侵害,对教育这一神圣职业产生了极为严重的破坏性冲击。教师素质的提高,教师职业道德的重塑,成为教育改革的新课题。根据校园性侵害的特点,构建校园性侵害预防和控制的有效机制,则是解决这一问题的关键。     

论高等职业教育的评价观

从教育评价的概念入手,认为高职教育评价需要以高职教育价值观的确立为出发点,进而形成教育评价观。分析高职教育的价值观,阐述针对高职教育的评价观。     

Factors affecting neurobehavioral responses of preterm infants at term conceptional age

A revised Prechtl Neurological Examination was administered to 510 singleton infants at term conceptional age to assess the influence of gestational age, race, and sex on neurobehavioral responses in a "typical" newborn population. The infants were born at 1 of 5 centers and were subjects of the NIH Collaborative Study on Antenatal Steroid Therapy. Of these babies, 392 were born at less than 37 weeks gestational age, whereas 118 infants were born at greater than or equal to 37 weeks. Of a total of 50 items of interest, 12 differed significantly based on race, 14 items differed in terms of gestational age at birth, and 5 items were influenced by the sex of the baby. These data suggest that singleton preterm infants born at differing gestational ages should not be considered to comprise a homogeneous sample. Further, caution should be exercised when considering babies of heterogeneous race groupings, and the babies' sex has minimal impact on neurobehavioral responses at term conceptional age.     

"宇宙膨胀说"与创新题

在研究宇宙发展、演变的理论中,有一种说法叫做“宇宙膨胀说”。以“宇宙膨胀说”为背景的高考试题已在1999年上海卷中初见端倪,在“3+综合”考试中尤其值得我们关注。这里提供一例同行参考。     

Academic achievement and personality traits of faculty members of Indian agricultural universities: their effect on teaching and research performance

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to assess academic achievement, teaching aptitude and research attitude of Indian agricultural universities’ faculty, to predict indicators for successful teachers and researchers, and thereby enhancing the quality of higher agricultural education. Methodology: Five hundred faculty members were selected to elicit information on academic, teaching and research achievements. Teaching aptitude and attitude of faculty towards research were measured through standard psychometric tests. Correlation and regression analysis was carried out to establish the relationship among selected variables. Findings: Combination of academic achievement and teaching aptitude was a superior predictor for the teaching achievement compared to either of them alone. Similarly, research achievement of faculty was predicted better by the combination of academic achievement and research attitude. Practical Implications: The study showed the need for training faculty members in interpersonal relationships for effective teaching, and in research methodology and research processes for improving research attitude of faculty. Theoretical Implications: The expectancy-value model provides a useful framework to understand the role of attitude/aptitude in better prediction of research and teaching behavior. Originality/Value: The present study showed that teaching aptitude and research attitude be considered along with academic achievements for promoting quality teaching and research and hence the educational programmes.     

学术自由与学术责任——大学学术发展的价值协调

学术自由是大学理念中一个最基本的学术价值观,它不仅是学术研究者的一种权利,而且体现为大学内部所特有的独立品格和精神。自17世纪末期近代大学形成以来,学术自由的理念不断强化,内涵不断丰富,逐步成为大学之所以为大学的基础、动力源和基本理念。三百年来,一方面学术自由使大学保持着宽松的研究氛围,传承文明,追求真理;另一方面,在所谓“学术自由”的保护伞下,一些研究人员却暗中接受政府巨额资金,为政府不光彩的行动出谋划策,学术腐败和对学生不负责任的行为也时有发生。对曾经寄予厚望、充满理想色彩的学术圣地——“大学”,人们已颇多…     

DNA repair systems

The 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded jointly to Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar to honour their accomplishments in the field of DNA repair. Ever since the discovery of DNA structure and their importance in the storage of genetic information, questions about their stability became pertinent. A molecule which is crucial for the development and propagation of an organism must be closely monitored so that the genetic information is not corrupted. Thanks to the pioneering research work of Lindahl, Sancar, Modrich and their colleagues, we now have an holistic awareness of how DNA damage occurs and how the damage is rectified in bacteria as well as in higher organisms including human beings. A comprehensive understanding of DNA repair has proven crucial in the fight against cancer and other debilitating diseases.     

Making sense of boiling points and melting points

The boiling and melting points of a pure substance are characteristic physical constants of that substance in its pure state. Although it is not possible to predict these physical constants for a given substance, it is, however, possible to rationalize these values on a relative basis for given substances, taking into account the type of chemical bonding, the intermolecular forces and other factors. S Prahlada Rao is an R & D consultant for chemical industries with teaching as a hobby. Shravan Sunkada is a 5th year student at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, pursuing a dual degree programme in Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering.