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Water Water Everywhere! but not a drop to drink?
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on Water Conservation. In this presentation, the author discusses water conservation and sustainability. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc157306/
Analyzing How Business Students Engage in Learning in an Introductory Data Analysis Course
This poster discusses an analysis of how business students engage in learning in an introductory data analysis course. A variety of pedagogical activities are used in this introductory data analysis course for business students. In fall of 2012, students were able to score points on each of the following activities: experiential group projects, clicker questions, learning modules, online post chapter quizzes, in class exams, and extra credit questions. An analysis was performed to determine how these activities relate to each other and to improvement in student grades. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc157295/
Global Film History: Encouraging Students to Develop Arguments that Connect Different Industries and Time Periods
This poster discusses exploring the effectiveness of group-based blog assignments in large enrollment classes to help students learn about global film history across different industries and time periods. It looks at how the blogs fare in helping the students reflect upon the development of their learning as they see more patterns and connections through interactive and experiential exercises. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc157289/
IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 98. Solubility of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Pure and Organic Solvent Mixtures-Revised and Updated. Part 3. Neat Organic Solvents
This article discusses the solubility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pure and organic solvent mixtures. Abstract: This work updates Vols. 54, 58, and 59 in the IUPAC Solubility Data Series and presents solubility data for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon solutes dissolved in neat organic solvents. Published solubility data for acenaphthene, anthracene, biphenyl, carbazole, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, fluoranthene, fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, phenothiazine, pyrene, thianthrene, and xanthene that appeared in the primary literature from 1995 to the end of 2011 are compiled and critically evaluated. Experimental solubility data for more than 550 different solute-organic solvent systems are included. Solubility data published prior to 1995 were contained in three earlier volumes (Vols. 54, 58, and 59) and are not repeated in this volume. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc152456/
Broader Impacts 2.0: Seeing- and Seizing- the Opportunity
This article offers viewpoints on Broader Impacts 2.0. The authors point out that the National Science Board (NSB) has presented us with merit review criteria that challenge us to undertake research that marries scientific merit and broader impacts in a way that benefits the research community, our funding sources, and our society. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc155643/
Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. In this presentation, Bert Hayslip, Regents Professor in the Department of Psychology, will discuss caregiving for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc146581/
Fear of Developing Dementia
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The presenter, Kyle Page, is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology. In this presentation, he discusses his research into the fear of dementia. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc152462/
IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 98. Solubility of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Pure and Organic Solvent Mixtures: Revised and Updated. Part 1. Binary Solvent Mixtures
This article discusses the solubility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pure and organic solvent mixtures. Abstract: This work updates Vols. 54, 58, and 59 in the IUPAC Solubility Data Series and presents solubility data for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon solutes dissolved in binary organic solvent mixtures. Published solubility data for anthracene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, phenothiazine, and pyrene that appeared in the primary literature between 1995 to the end of 2011 are compiled and critically evaluated. Experimental solubility data for 360 different solute-binary solvent systems are included in the volume. Solubility data published prior to 1995 were contained in three earlier volumes (Vols. 54, 58, and 59) and are not repeated in this volume. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc152454/
IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 98. Solubility of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Pure and Organic Solvent Mixtures: Revised and Updated. Part 2. Ternary Solvent Mixtures
This article discusses the solubility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pure and organic solvent mixtures. Abstract: This work updates Vols. 54, 58, and 59 in the IUPAC Solubility Data Series and presents solubility data for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon solutes dissolved in ternary organic solvent mixtures. Published solubility data for anthracene, phenanthrene, and pyrene that appeared in the primary literature between 1995 to the end of 2011 are compiled and critically evaluated. Experimental solubility data for 119 different solute-ternary solvent systems are included in the volume. Solubility data published prior to 1995 were contained in three earlier volumes (Vols. 54, 58, and 59) and are not repeated here. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc152455/
Response to "A critique of Abraham and Acree's correlation for deca-1,9-diene/water partition coefficients"
This article is a response to "A critique of Abraham and Acree's correlation for deca-1,9-diene/water partition coefficients." Abstract: The manuscript responds to the critique of Nitsche and Kasting concerning our published correlation for deca-1,9-diene-water partition coefficients. Several statements made in the critique are refuded, and shown to be misrepresentations of ideas contained in our earlier paper. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc152438/
Comparative Assessment of Peer Review: Project Outcomes Report
This report discusses the Comparative Assessment of Peer Review (CAPR) project outcomes. Public funding agencies are required to demonstrate accountability to their government funders (e.g., Congress) as well as to the public. Some agencies - including the US National Science Foundation (NSF) - have used broader societal impacts criteria as part of the review process of grant proposals in order to connect scientific research to societal needs. But these agencies have often encountered questions from scientists and engineers for how to integrate such demands for broader societal impacts into their research proposals. In an effort to help clarify the idea of broader impacts, in 2010 NSF and Congress proposed a list of national needs that NSF-funded research would be required to meet. But was this the best solution? This report discusses the authors' research. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc139466/
El Espejo, Volume 3, 2013
El Espejo literary journal contains writing by Spanish students at the University of North Texas including essays in Spanish literature and linguistics and creative pieces such as poetry and short stories. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc146583/
Experimental and Predicted Solubilities of 3,4-Dimethoxybenzoic Acid in Select Organic Solvents of Varying Polarity and Hydrogen-bonding Character
This article discusses the experimental and predicted solubilities of 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid in select organic solvents of varying polarity and hydrogen-bonding character. Abstract: Experimental solubilities are reported for 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid dissolved in 16 alcohol, 5 alkyl alkanoate, 5 alkoxyalcohol and 6 ether solvents. The measured solubility data were correlated with the Abraham solvation parameter model. Mathematical expressions based on the Abraham model predicted the observed molar solubilities to within 0.083 log units. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc157298/
Integrating Image-Based Research Datasets into an Existing Digital Repository Infrastructure
This article discusses integrating image-based research datasets into an existing digital repository infrastructure. Abstract: In 2011, the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries partnered with researchers in the university's academic departments to describe and provide access to items not traditionally included in the UNT Libraries' systems. Including more than 1,400 items apiece, the two projects are considered active datasets by their respective users. Each collection provided new challenges in harmonizing partner, metadata, and end-user requirements. This article discusses the projects, workflow for defining requirements, and final implementation in the UNT Digital Library. These collections serve as a model for integrating other research projects easily and inexpensively into a repository infrastructure. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc146603/
Knowing and acting: The precautionary and proactionary principles in relation to policy making
This article discusses the precautionary and proactionary principles in relation to policy making. Abstract: This essay explores the relationship between knowledge (in the form of scientific risk assessment) and action (in the form of technological innovation) as they come together in policy, which itself is both a kind of knowing and acting. It first illustrates the dilemma of timely action in the face of uncertain unintended consequences. It then introduces the precautionary and proactionary principles as different alignments of knowledge and action within the policymaking process. The essay next considers a cynical and a hopeful reading of the role of these principles in public policy debates. We argue that the two principles, despite initial appearances, are not all that different when it comes to formulating public policy. We also suggest that principles in general can be used either to guide our actions, or to determine them for us. We argue that allowing principles to predetermine our actions undermines the sense of autonomy necessary for true action. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc157308/
Bieberians at the Gate?
In this article, the authors discuss the idea that non-philosophers should judge philosophers. As universities face growing demands for academic accountability, philosophers ought to take the lead in exploring what accountability means. Otherwise we may be stuck with Dickens's Mr. Gradgrind. ("Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts along are wanted in life.") But a philosophical account of accountability will also require redefining the boundaries of what counts as philosophy. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc130189/
Recent Foolery in the Periodic Table
Article which satirically claims that several elements on the periodic table were faked. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111263/
Rediscovery of the Elements: Thallium, Crookes, and Lamy
Article describing the nearly simultaneous discovery of thallium by William Crookes and Claude-August Lamy. Tourist information is included for areas in London, England, and Lille, France, that are significant to the lives of these two men. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111262/
Cooperation in neural systems: Bridging complexity and periodicity
This article discusses cooperation in neural systems. Abstract: Inverse power law distributions are generally interpreted as a manifestation of complexity, and waiting time distributions with power index μ < 2 reflect the occurrence of ergodicity-breaking renewal events. In this paper we show how to combine these properties with the apparently foreign clocklike nature of biological processes. We use a two-dimensional regular network of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons, each of which is linked to its four nearest neighbors, to show that both complexity and periodicity are generated by locality breakdown: Links of increasing strength have the effect of turning local interactions into long-range interactions, thereby generating time complexity followed by time periodicity. Increasing the density of neuron firings reduces the influence of periodicity, thus creating a cooperation-induced renewal condition that is distinctly non-Poissonian. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc132986/
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): What is it and what causes it?
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on Coming Home. The author has a grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) on innovative approaches to understanding and treating PTSD. In this presentation, the author discusses PTSD and other responses to trauma and stress. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc122184/
Welcome Home: Reintegration of Veterans and Families
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on Coming Home and discusses the reintegration of veterans and families. The author directs the Family Attachment Lab and is conducting the Student Veteran Research Project. In this presentation, she discusses the family relationships of veterans after deployment. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc122183/
Networking of psychophysics, psychology, and neurophysiology
This article focuses on dynamic networking and dynamic networks in complex research on psychophysics, psychology, and neurophysiology. It states that new ways were suggested by dynamic networking and dynamic networks to transfer information utilizing the long-distance communication through local cooperative interaction. It says that the fluctuations in brain and social dynamics reveal the emergence of complex behavior when analyzed with advanced methods of fractal statistical analysis. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc132991/
O generalizare a problemei piesei de 5 lei a lui Ţiţeica
The '5 lei coin' problem of Titeica is generalized to circles of arbitrary radii. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc152461/
Rediscovery of the Elements: Hafnium
Article describing the search for element 72, the scientists involved, and the nationalist politics surrounding the discovery. Tourist information is included for areas significant to the history of hafnium. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111261/
Food Habits and Racial Thinking
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on The Food We Eat. In this presentation, the author discusses race and food habits. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111278/
Linear response at criticality
This article discusses a linear response to criticality. Abstract: We study a set of cooperatively interacting units at criticality, and we prove with analytical and numerical arguments that they generate the same renewal non-Poisson intermittency as that produced by blinking quantum dots, thereby giving a stronger support to the results of earlier investigation. By analyzing how this out-of-equilibrium system responds to harmonic perturbations, we find that the response can be described only using only a new form of linear response theory that accounts for aging and the nonergodic behavior of the underlying process. We connect the undamped response of the system at criticality to the decaying response predicted by the recently established nonergodic fluctuation-dissipation theorem for dichotomous processes using information about the second moment of the fluctuations. We demonstrate that over a wide range of perturbation frequencies the response of the cooperative system is greatest when at criticality. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc132985/
Complex Materials for Molecular Spintronics Applications: Cobalt Bis(dioxolene) Valence Tautomers, from Molecules to Polymers
This article discusses complex materials for molecular spintronics applications. Abstract: Using first principles calculations, the authors predict a complex multifunctional behavior in cobalt bis(dioxolene) valence tautomeric compounds. Molecular spin-state switching is shown to dramatically alter electronic properties and corresponding transport properties. This spin state dependence has been demonstrated for technologically relevant coordination polymers of valence tautomers as well as for novel conjugated polymers with valence tautomeric functionalization. As a result, these materials are proposed as promising candidates for spintronic devices that can couple magnetic bistability with novel electrical and spin conduction properties. The authors' findings pave the way to the fundamental understanding and future design of active multifunctional organic materials for spintronics applications. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc132994/
The 2011 Beta Eta Spring Banquet. Celebration of Rediscovery of the Elements
Article describing an Eta Beta celebration of the completion of James and Virginia Marshall's "Rediscovery of the Elements." Photographs from the event are included. Three separate articles appear on the right side of the page. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111260/
Functional Assessment of the Medicago truncatula NIP/LATD Protein Demonstrates That It Is a High-Affinity Nitrate Transporter
This article discusses a functional assessment of the Medicago truncatula NIP/LATD. Abstract: The Medicago truncatula NIP/LATD (for Numerous Infections and Polyphenolics/Lateral root-organ Defective) gene encodes a protein found in a clade of nitrate transporters within the large NRT1(PTR) family that also encodes transporters of dipeptides and tripeptides, dicarboxylates, auxin, and abscisic acid. Of the NRT1(PTR) members known to transport nitrate, most are low-affinity transporters. Here, the authors show that M. truncatula nip/latd mutants are more defective in their lateral root responses to nitrate provided at low (250 μм) concentrations than at higher (5mм) concentrations; however, nitrate uptake experiments showed no discernible differences in uptake in the mutants. Heterologous expression experiments showed that MtNIP/LATD encodes a nitrate transporter: expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes conferred upon the oocytes the ability to take up nitrate from the medium, but oocytes expressing the less severe Mtnip-3 allele were proficient in nitrate transport. M. truncatula nip/latd mutants have pleiotropic defects in nodulation and root architecture defects but not for nodulation defects. This suggests that the spectrum of activities inherent in AtNRT1.1 is different from that possessed by MtNIP/LATD, but it could also reflect stability differences of each protein in M. truncatula. Collectively, the data show that MtNIP/LATD is a high-affinity nitrate transporter and suggest that it could have another function. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc130185/
Rediscovery of the Elements: The Curious Case of Vestium
Article describing Jedrzej Sniadecki's career and his flawed findings regarding vestium. Tourist information is included for areas significant to Sniadecki's life and work. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111259/
St. Anne's Church in Vilnius, Lithuania
Front cover of the 2011 issue of The Hexagon, featuring St. Anne's church in Vilnius, Lithuania. The Gothic red brick building looms above a street bustling with activity. The inside cover contains a table of contents, staff credits, an editorial, and a description of the front cover. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111258/
Phonon engineering in nanostructures: Controlling interfacial thermal resistance in multilayer-graphene/dielectric heterojunctions
This article discusses phonon engineering in nanostructures: Controlling interfacial thermal resistance in multilayer-graphene/dielectric heterojunctions. Using calculations from first principles and the Landauer approach for phonon transport, the authors study the Kapitza resistance in selected multilayer graphene/dielectric heterojunctions (hexagonal BN and wurtzite SiC) and demonstrate (i) the resistance variability (~50 - 700 x 10(-10) m2K/W) induced by vertical coupling, dimensionality, and atomistic structure of the system and (ii) the ability of understanding the intensity of the thermal transmittance in terms of the phonon distribution at the interface. The authors results pave the way to the fundamental understanding of active phonon engineering by microscopic geometry design. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc132984/
Statue of James Prescott Joule
Front cover of the spring 2011 issue of the Hexagon, which features a statue James Joule wearing a coat and sitting in a chair. The inside cover includes a table of contents, a list of staff, an editorial, and a description of the cover. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111257/
Tracking molecular wave packets in cesium dimers by coherent Raman scattering
No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc103258/
Reductive Elimination of Alkylamines from Low-Valent, Alkylpalladium(II) Amido Complexes
This article discusses reductive elimination of alkylamines from low-valent, alkylpalladium(II) amido complexes. A series of three-coordinate norbornylpalladium amido complexes ligated by bulky N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were prepared that undergo reductive eliminations to form the alkyl-nitrogen bond of alkylamine products. The rates of reductive elimination reveal that complexes containing more-electron-donating amido groups react faster than those with less-electron-donating amido groups, and complexes containing more-sterically bulky amido groups undergo reductive elimination more slowly than complexes containing less-sterically bulky amido groups. Complexes ligated by more-electron-donating ancillary NHC ligands undergo reductive elimination faster than complexes ligated by less-electron-donating NHC ligands. In contrast to the reductive elimination of benzylamines from bisphosphine-ligated palladium amides, these reactions occur with retention of configuration at the alkyl group, indicating that these reductive eliminations proceed by a concerted pathway. The experimentally determined free energy barrier of 26 kcal/mol is close to the computed free energy barrier of 23.9 kcal/mol (363 K) for a concerted reductive elimination from the isolated, three-coordinate NHC-ligated palladium anilido complex. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc107792/
A web-based multi-genome synteny viewer for customized data
This article discusses a web-based multi-genome synteny viewer for customized data. Background: Web-based synteny visualization tools are important for sharing data and revealing patterns of complicated genome conservation and rearrangements. Such tools should allow biologists to upload genomic data for their own analysis. This requirement is critical because individual biologists are generating large amounts of genomic sequences that quickly overwhelm any centralized web resources to collect and display all those data. Recently, the authors published a web-based synteny viewer, GSV, which was designed to satisfy the above requirement. However, GSV can only compare two genomes at a given time. Extending the functionality of GSV to visualize multiple genomes is important to meet the increasing demand of the research community. Results: The authors have developed a multi-Genome Synteny Viewer (mGSV). Similar to GSV, mGSV is a web-based tool that allows users to upload their own genomic data files for visualization. Multiple genomes can be presented in a single integrated view with an enhanced user interface. Users can navigate through all selected genomes in either pairwise or multiple viewing mode to examine conserved genomic regions as well as the accompanying genome annotations. Besides serving users who manually interact with the web server, mGSV also provides Web Services for machine-to-machine communication to accept data sent by other remote resources. The entire mGSV package can also be downloaded for easy local installation. Conclusions: mGSV significantly enhances the original functionality of GSV. A web server hosting mGSV is provided at http://cas-bioinfo.cas.unt.edu/mgsv. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc122141/
Derivation of the evolution of empathic other-regarding social emotions as compared to non-social self-regarding emotions
This article accompanies a poster presentation on the derivation of the evolution of empathic other-regarding social emotions as compared to non-social self-regarding emotions. The present study derives the evolution of social emotions by inclusion of other-regarding concerns from the non-social emotions of self-regarding concerns. Emotional processing is a self-discovered error-correction feedback process in which computations are involved to assess the accuracy of the internal brain-generated predictions with respect to the reality, in order to increase its probability of an organism's own survival. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc122156/
Controllable enhanced dragging of light in ultradispersive media
This article discusses controllable enhanced dragging of light in ultradispersive media. Abstract: We have theoretically demonstrated an enhanced Fizeau effect due to dragging the light that occurs when the group velocity of light is ultraslow. The proposed experiment can be done in a cell of atomic Rb vapor under conditions such that the group velocity of light is of the order of a few hundred meters per second. We show theoretically that higher-order dispersion can influence the Fizeau effect and can be observed experimentally. It has been shown that the change of phase is sensitive to the motion of the cell with the speed of the order of 10⁻³ cm/s and for possible displacements as small as 10 Å. The enhanced dragging effect can be applied for position control, detection of slow mechanical motion, and efficient modulators of light. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc103255/
P02.123. The anti-diabetic and cholesterol-lowering effects of common and cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum and C. aromaticum): a randomized controlled trial
This paper accompanies a poster presentation on the anti-diabetic and cholesterol-lowering effects of common and cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum and C. aromaticum). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 150 million people worldwide have type 2 diabetes. It is a growing health concern. Common and cassia cinnamon have been reported to have anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering effects. The objective was to determine if the combination of common and cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum and C. aromaticum) reduces fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HA1C), triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc122161/
Charge transfer equilibria in ambient-exposed epitaxial graphene on (0001) 6 H-SiC
This article discusses charge transfer equilibria in ambient-exposed epitaxial graphene on (0001) 6 H-SiC. Abstract: The transport properties of electronic materials have been long interpreted independently from both the underlying bulk-like behavior of the substrate or the influence of ambient gases. This is no longer the case for ultra-thin graphene whose properties are dominated by the interfaces between the active material and its surroundings. Here, the authors show that the graphene interactions with its environments are critical for the electrostatic and electrochemical equilibrium of the active device layers and their transport properties. Based on the prototypical case of epitaxial graphene on (0001) 6 H-SiC and using a combination of 'in-situ' thermoelectric power and resistance measurements and simulations from first principles, the authors demonstrate that the cooperative occurrence of an electrochemically mediated charge transfer from the graphene to air, combined with the peculiar electronic structure of the graphene/SiC interface, explains the wide variation of measured conductivity and charge carrier type found in prior reports. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc132974/
C-H Functionalization Reactivity of a Nickel-Imide
This article discusses C-H functionalization reactivity of a Nickel-Imide. Abstract: We report report bifunctional reactivity of the β-diketiminato Ni(III)-imide [Me₃NN]Ni=NAd (1), which undergoes H-atom abstraction (HAA) reactions with benzylic substrates R-H (indane, ethylbenzene, toluene). Nickel-imide 1 competes with the nickel-amide HAA product [Me₃NN]Ni-NHAd (2) for the resulting hydrocarbyl radical R• to give the nickel-amide [Me₃NN]Ni-N(CHMePh)Ad (3) (R-H = ethylbenzene) or aminoalkyl tautomer [Me₃NN]Ni(ɳ²-CH(Ph)NHAd) (4) (R-H = toluene). A significant amount of functionalized amine R-NHAd is observed in the reaction of 1 with indane along with the dinickel imide {[Me₃NN]Ni}₂(μ-NAd) (5). Kinetic and DFT analyses point to rate-limiting HAA from R-H by 1 to give R•, which may add to either imide 1 or amide 2, each featuring significant N-based radical character. Thus, these studies illustrate a fundamental competition possible in C-H amination systems that proceed via a HAA/radical rebound mechanism. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc107790/
Philosophy Matters - Examining the Value of Knowledge
This paper discusses the University of North Texas' (UNT) Center for the Study of Interdisciplinarity (CSID), where philosophers continue to examine the value of knowledge. The authors also discuss one example of CSID's work with the Comparative Assessment of Peer Review (CAPR) project. CAPR is a four-year project (2008-2012) studying the changing nature of peer review processes across six U.S. and foreign public science agencies. CAPR is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) Science of Science and Innovation Policy (SciSIP) program. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc84353/
Geminivirus-Mediated Delivery of Florigen Promotes Determinate Growth in Aerial Organs and Uncouples Flowering from Photoperiod in Cotton
This article discusses geminivirus-mediated delivery of florigen. Abstract: Background: Plant architecture and the timing and distribution of reproductive structures are fundamental agronomic traits shaped by patterns of determinate and indeterminate growth. Florigen, encoded by FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in Arabidopsis and SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS (SFT) in tomato, acts as a general growth hormone, advancing determinate growth. Domestication of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) converted it from a lanky photoperiodic perennial to a highly inbred, compact day-neutral plant that is managed as an annual row-crop. This dramatic change in plant architecture provides a unique opportunity to analyze the transition from perennial to annual growth. Methodology/Principle Findings: To explore these architectural changes, the authors addressed the role of day-length upon flowering in an ancestral, perennial accession and in a domesticated variety of cotton. Using a disarmed Cotton leaf crumple virus (CLCrV) as a transient expression system, the authors delivered FT to both cotton accessions. Ectopic expression of FT in ancestral cotton mimicked the effects of day-length, promoting photoperiod-independent flowering, precocious determinate architecture, and lanceolate leaf shape. Domesticated cotton infected with FT demonstrated more synchronized fruiting and enhanced "annualization". Transient expression of FT also facilitated simple crosses between wild photoperiodic and domesticated day-neutral accessions, effectively demonstrating a mechanism to increase genetic diversity among cultivated lines of cotton. Virus was not detected in the F₁ progeny, indicating that crosses made by this approach do not harbor recombinant DNA molecules. Conclusions: These findings extend our understanding of FT as a general growth hormone that regulates shoot architecture by advancing organ-specific and age-related determinate growth. Judicious manipulation of FT could benefit cotton architecture to improve crop management. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc102285/
Genetic Manipulation of a "Vacuolar" H+ -PPase: From Salt Tolerance to Yield Enhancement under Phosphorus-Deficient Soils
This article discusses genetic manipulation of a "Vacuolar" H+ -PPase. Abstract: Plant scientists face the difficult challenge of increasing food production without further degradation of the environment. In order to protect drinking water resources and prevent the proliferation of harmful algal blooms and "dead zones" in coastal marine ecosystems, it is imperative to reduce anthropogenic nutrient inputs (Conley et al., 2009). These challenges are further compounded by the goal of utilizing agriculture to provide replacement fuels such as biodiesel and alcohol for our oil-based economy. Phosphate (Pi) is an essential macronutrient required for plant growth and development (Chen et al., 2008). Plant nutrient acquisition and partitioning depend on the H+ gradients generated by the plasma membrane H+ -ATPases (Palmgren, 2001; Fuglsang et al., 2011). In this update, the authors discuss the potential role that the type I H+ -proton- pyrophosphatase (PPase) could play in optimizing Pi use efficiency in plants. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc102280/
Multiple domains in MtENOD8 protein including the signal peptide target it to the symbiosome
This article discusses multiple domains in MtENOD8 protein. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation occurs in nodules, specialized organs on the roots of legumes. Within nodules, host plant cells are infected with rhizobia that are encapsulated by a plant-derived membrane forming a novel organelle, the symbiosome. In Medicago truncatula, the symbiosome consists of the symbiosome membrane (SymM), a single rhizobium, and the soluble space between them, called the symbiosome space (Syms). The SymS is enriched with plant-derived proteins, including the MtENOD8 protein. Here, the authors present evidence from GFP fusion experiments that the MtENOD8 protein contains at least three symbiosome targeting domains, including its N-terminal signal peptide (SP). When ectopically expressed in non-nodulated root tissue, the MtENOD8 SP delivers GFP to the vacuole. During the course of nodulation, there is a nodule-specific re-direction MtENOD8-SP-GFP from the vacuole to punctate intermediates and subsequently to symbiosomes, with re-direction of MtENOD8-SP-GFP from the vacuole to punctate intermediates preceding intracellular rhizobial infection. Experiments with Medicago mutants having defects in rhizobial infection and symbiosome development demonstrated that the MtNIP/LATD gene is required for re-direction of the MtENOD8-SP-GFP from the vacuoles to punctate intermediates in nodules. The authors' evidence shows that MtENOD8 has evolved redundant targeting sequences for symbiosome targeting and that intracellular localization of ectopically expressed MtENOD8-SP-GFP is useful as a marker for monitoring the extent of development in mutant nodules. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc78339/
From self-organized to extended criticality
This article includes discussions from self-organized to extended criticality. Abstract: We address the issue of criticality that is attracting the attention of an increasing number of neurophysiologists. Our main purpose is to establish the specific nature of some dynamical processes that although physically different, are usually termed as "critical," and we focus on those characterized by the cooperative interaction of many units. We notice that the term "criticality" has been adopted to denote both noise-induced phase transitions and Self-Organized Criticality (SOC) with no clear connection with the traditional phase transitions, namely the transformation of a thermodynamic system from one state of matter to another. We notice the recent attractive proposal of extended criticality advocated by Bailly and Longo, which is realized through a wide set of critical points rather than emerging as a singularity from a unique value of the control parameter. We study a set of cooperatively firing neurons and we show that for an extended set of interaction couplings the system exhibits a form of temporal complexity similar to that emerging at criticality from ordinary phase transitions. This extended criticality regime is characterized by three main properties: (i) In the ideal limiting case of infinitely large time period, temporal complexity corresponds to Mittag-Leffler complexity; (ii) For large values of the interaction coupling the periodic nature of the process becomes a predominant while maintaining to some extent, in the intermediate time asymptotic region, the signature of complexity; (iii) Focusing their attention on firing neuron avalanches, We find two of the popular SOC properties, namely the power indexes 2 and 1.5 respectively for time length and for the intensity of the avalanches. We derive the main conclusion that SOC emerges from extended criticality, thereby explaining the experimental observation of Plenz and Beggs: avalanches occur in time with surprisingly regularity, in apparent conflict with the temporal complexity of physical critical points. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc132990/
The 2012 Republican Primaries
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on the 2012 Presidential Primaries. In this presentation, the author gives the audience an overview of the structure of the primaries, and provides a recap of past primaries. The author also speaks about the money, momentum, and media attention in the primaries. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83792/
Mediated Primaries
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on the 2012 Presidential Primaries. In this presentation, the author uses his background in rhetoric and debate, as well as his interests in ideological criticism, and the politics of representation to comment on the candidates' rhetoric. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83788/
Racial and Ethnic Politics in the 2012 Presidential Primaries
This presentation is part of the faculty lecture series UNT Speaks Out on the 2012 Presidential Primaries. In this presentation, the author discusses how members of different racial and ethnic backgrounds responded to the 2012 Republican primary candidates. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83790/
Whole genome comparisons of Fragaria, Prunus and Malus reveal different modes of evolution between Rosaceous subfamilies
This article discusses whole genome comparisons of Fragaria, Prunus and Malus. Background: Rosaceae include numerous economically important and morphologically diverse species. Comparative mapping between the member species in Rosaceae have indicated some level of synteny. Recently the whole genome of three crop species, peach, apple and strawberry, which belong to different genera of the Rosaceae family, have been sequenced, allowing in-depth comparison of these genomes. Results: The authors' analysis using the whole genome sequences of peach, apple and strawberry identified 1399 orthologous regions between the three genomes, with a mean length of around 100 kb. Each peach chromosome showed major orthology mostly to one strawberry chromosome, but to more than two apple chromosomes, suggesting that the apple genome went through more chromosomal fissions in addition to the whole genome duplication after the divergence of the three genera. However, the distribution of contiguous ancestral regions, identified using the multiple genome rearrangements and ancestors (MGRA) algorithm, suggested that the Fragaria genome went through a greater number of small scale rearrangements compared to the other genomes since they diverged from a common ancestor. Using the contiguous ancestral regions, the authors reconstructed a hypothetical ancestral genome for the Rosaceae 7 composed of nine chromosomes and propose the evolutionary steps from the ancestral genome to the extant Fragaria, Prunus and Malus genomes. Conclusion: The authors' analysis shows that different modes of evolution may have played major roles in different subfamilies of Rosaceae. The hypothetical ancestral genome of Rosaceae and the evolutionary steps that lead to three different lineages of Rosaceae will facilitate the authors' understanding of plant genome evolution as well as have a practical impact on knowledge transfer among member species of Rosaceae. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc122145/