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72,371,379 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookeina%20speciosa | Cookeina speciosa is a species of fungus in the family Sarcoscyphaceae.
Description
Cookeina speciosa is the most common species of its genus. Its colours vary. Colour variants are white over yellow, pinkish red, yellow-orange, and orange to chocolate brown colour apothecia. The species can be found both in isolation and in group.
Taxonomy
The fungus was originally described in 1822 by Elias Magnus Fries, as Peziza speciosa. Richard William George Dennis transferred it to the genus Cookeina in 1994.
The genus Cookeina is named after Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
References
Sarcoscyphaceae
Taxa named by Elias Magnus Fries
Fungi described in 1822
Fungi of South America
Fungus species | Cookeina speciosa | [
"Biology"
] | 149 | [
"Fungi",
"Fungus species"
] |
72,371,677 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social%20entertainment | Social entertainment are forms of entertainment that involve attending public venues, but do not involve significant physical activity, such as spectator sports or going to the theatre.
Typology
In leisure studies, social entertainment is counterposed to active leisure, which are leisure activities involving physical exertion, and passive leisure, which are forms of entertainment that can be enjoyed from home. Examples of social entertainment include spectator sports, going to the movies, or going to concerts.
Online social entertainment
Although the use of physical public spaces is the defining feature of social entertainment, the use of social media and massively multiplayer online games have been described as online forms of social entertainment https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS_yWFtQyC0tXfs2BdZxVoA.
References
Entertainment
Sociology | Social entertainment | [
"Biology"
] | 166 | [
"Behavioural sciences",
"Behavior",
"Sociology"
] |
72,371,977 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bismuthinidene | Bismuthinidenes are a class of organobismuth compounds, analogous to carbenes. These compounds have the general form R-Bi, with two lone pairs of electrons on the central bismuth(I) atom. Due to the unusually low valency and oxidation state of +1, most bismuthinidenes are reactive and unstable, though in recent decades, both transition metals and polydentate chelating Lewis base ligands have been employed to stabilize the low-valent bismuth(I) center through steric protection and π donation either in solution or in crystal structures. Lewis base-stabilized bismuthinidenes adopt a singlet ground state with an inert lone pair of electrons in the 6s orbital. A second lone pair in a 6p orbital and a single empty 6p orbital make Lewis base-stabilized bismuthinidenes ambiphilic. Recently, a triplet bismuthinidene is reported by Cornella et al.
Synthesis
Transition metal-stabilized bismuthinidene
The earliest examples of bismuthinidene complexes used transition metal chemistry to stabilize the Bi(I) center. These methods generally leveraged the ability of simple bismuth(I) halides or methylbismuth to ligate to tungsten, manganese, and chromium carbonyl complexes. These complexes were occasionally found to oligomerize, forming Bi-Bi single or double bonds to form bismuthane or bismuthene moieties. One of the first examples of a monomeric bismuthinidene was discovered by Balasz et al., who used R = 2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl to chelate a Bi(I) center through a combination of strong C-Bi and weak N-Bi interactions. Although the molecule quickly formed a cyclic oligomer, upon reaction with two equivalents of tungsten pentacarbonyl, monomeric crystalline RBi[W(CO)5]2 was isolated.
N,C,N-coordinated bismuthinidene
Monomeric bismuthinidenes were not stabilized without the use of transition metal complexes until 2010, when Libor Dostál's research group reported the isolation of a bismuth(I) center stabilized only by the N,C,N-pincer ligand L = 2,6-bis[N-(2’,6’-dimethylphenyl)ketimino]phenyl. This complex was first synthesized by reacting the precursor molecule LBiIIICl2 with two equivalents of the reducing agent K[B(iBu)3H] to yield isolable crystals of stable [C6H3-2,6-(C(Me)=N-2′,6′-Me2C6H3)2]Bi. A slightly simpler N,C,N-coordinating ligand was soon used to create the bismuthinidene ArBi (Ar = C6H3-2,6-(CH=NtBu)2), which became widely used in later bismuthinidene studies and is occasionally referred to as "Dostál's bismuthinidene". In fact, many analogs of this compound have been synthesized, often replacing the imine tert-butyl groups with other bulky organic groups or replacing the two imine arms with disubstituted amine arms.
N,C-coordinated bismuthinidene
Dostál's group later synthesized a monomeric bismuthinidene coordinated only by a bidentate N,C-coordinating ligand. When the bismuth dichloride [C6H2-2-(CH=N-2’,6’-iPr2C6H3)-4,6-(tBu)2]BiCl2 is reduced by two equivalents of K[B(iBu)3H], isolable dark violet crystals of [C6H2-2-(CH=N-2’,6’-iPr2C6H3)-4,6-(tBu)2]Bi appear. In contrast to the earlier transition metal-stabilized [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]Bi[W(CO)5]2, the tert-butyl group ortho to the bismuth atom in this N,C-coordinated bismuthinidene sterically block the partially empty p-type orbital on the bismuth atom, kinetically stabilizing it without the use of transition metals. In addition, calculated nucleus-independent chemical shift indices (NICS) and anisotropy of current-induced density (ACID) analysis show that the BiC3N ring of the molecule was stabilized by a certain degree of aromatic character due and may be classified as a benzazabismole to the delocalization of six π electrons, despite the nominally dative Bi-N bond. Unlike N,C,N-coordinated bismuthinidenes, this N,C-coordinated species requires the pendant nitrogen atom to be in an imine group, as replacement of the Dipp-substituted imine arm with a diethyl-substituted amine arm resulted in rapid dimerization to a dibismuthene species.
Carbene-stabilized bismuthinidene
In 2019, Wang et al. isolated a novel carbene-stabilized bismuthinidene with an exocyclic bismuth(I) center. Phenylbismuth dichloride, stabilized by a diethyl/diisopropylphenyl-substituted cyclic alkyl amino carbene (Et2CAAC), reacts with one equivalent of the beryllium(0) complex Be(Et2CAAC)2 in toluene to give stable, isolable red crystals of the carbene-stabilized bismuthinidene (Et2CAAC)Bi-Ph. Despite the exposed, exocyclic bismuth(I) center, the compound can exist without dimerization for up to two weeks in the solid state. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that this is a result of partial double bond character between the carbene carbon and the bismuth(I) center, wherein the p-type lone pair of electrons on the bismuth atom interact with the partially-filled p orbitals on the carbene carbon. However, the charge on the bismuth atom as determined by natural population analysis (NPA) was much lower than in bismuth(III)-carbon bonds, supporting the compound's classification as a bismuthinidene.
Structural properties
As with other heavier carbene analogs, the structural and electronic properties of bismuthinidenes are in large part driven by the inert-pair effect, wherein the large energy gap between the bismuth atom's 6s and 6p orbitals disfavors the formation of sp hybrid orbitals. In stark contrast to their lighter congeners phosphinidenes, whose smaller phosphorus 3s-3p energy gap favors a triplet ground state, bismuthinidenes generally have a singlet ground state on account of the larger bismuth 6s-6p energy gap.
The structural and electronic properties of bismuthinidenes in general are clearly exemplified by Dostál's N,C,N-stabilized bismuthinidene, which is the most commonly used bismuthinidene in the literature to date. Optimization of the tert-butyl imino version of this compound at the M06/cc-pVTZ level of theory reveals that, as in other nontrigonal pnictogen compounds, the central bismuth atom is coplanar with the N,C,N-coordinating ligand, adopting a T-shaped C2v coordination mode. The Wiberg bond index (WBI) between the bismuth and carbon atoms is 1.09, while the Bi-C bond distance is 2.2156 Å, slightly shorter than the sum of these atoms’ single-bonded covalent radii (Σcov(Bi,C) = 2.26 Å). On the other hand, the WBI of the Bi-N bonds is only 0.34, and the Bi-N bond distance is 2.500 Å, significantly longer than the sum of these atoms’ covalent radii (Σcov(Bi,N) = 2.22 Å). This agrees with calculations based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), which show that the electron density at the bond critical point between Bi and N is only 0.049, significantly lower than the electron density of 0.114 at the Bi-C bond critical point. Natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations show that these weaker dative bonds arise from weak σ donation of the nitrogen atoms’ lone pairs into an empty 6p orbital on the central bismuth atom. These two nN → p*Bi interactions stabilize the bismuthinidene by as much as 382 kJ/mol. Additionally, the amount of sigma donation from the pendant nitrogen atoms may be increased or decreased by replacing the tert-butyl groups on the pendant nitrogen atoms with aryl groups containing electron-donating groups or electron-withdrawing groups, respectively. One lone pair resides in the bismuth atom's 6s orbital and generally remains inert, while the other resides in the 6p orbital oriented perpendicular to the plane of the central ring, which also comprises the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO).
Reactivity
Theoretically, bismuthinidenes are both Lewis acidic and Lewis basic due to their empty and filled p-type orbitals, respectively. In practice, both N,C,N- and N,C-chelated bismuthinidenes lose much of their Lewis acidic character due to nN → p*Bi donor-acceptor interactions. However, the Lewis basicity of bismuthinidenes, particularly Dostál's N,C,N-coordinated bismuthinidene, allows them to cycle predictably between stable Bi(I) and Bi(III) oxidation states depending on the reaction conditions, allowing them to act as catalysts for a variety of different reactions, including transfer hydrogenations, deoxygenations, hydrodefluorinations, and dihydrogen reduction. In addition, bismuthinidenes react intrinsically with certain alkyl halides, dichalcogenides, and alkynes to form Bi(III) species.
Catalytic reactivity
The comparatively large covalent radius of bismuth results in weaker bonds between bismuth and other elements. This is especially true of N,C,N-coordinated bismuthinidenes after oxidative addition of additional ligands to form trivalent bismuth(III) reactive intermediates, given the nN → p*Bi donation present in these species. This comparative weakness of the bismuth(III)-ligand bonds facilitates ligand exchange and ultimately reductive elimination to release the product, reform the bismuthinidene, and create a controllable Bi(I)/Bi(III) redox cycle that gives bismuthinidenes their own unique catalytic reactivity.
Transfer hydrogenation of azoarenes
In 2019, Wang et al., who leveraged the catalytic activity of Dostál's bismuthinidene to catalyze a transfer hydrogenation reaction between ammonia-borane and azoarenes to form the corresponding arylhydrazines with good functional group tolerance. The reaction's catalytic cycle proceeds through the oxidative addition of two hydrogen atoms from ammonia-borane to the bismuth(I) center, forming a highly unstable bismuthine intermediate. Subsequent reductive elimination transfers the two hydrogen atoms across the pi bond of an azoarene molecule, restoring the bismuthinidene and forming arylhydrazine. A similar bismuthinidene-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reaction reduces nitroarenes to the corresponding aryl hydroxyl amines.
Deoxygenation of nitrous oxide
The Bi(I)/Bi(III) redox couple has also been applied to catalyze the deoxygenation of nitrous oxide. When Dostál's bismuthinidene is exposed to gaseous N2O, the reaction mixture changes color from green to yellow and evolves dinitrogen gas. The color change is due to the formation of an arylbismuth oxide dimer with two μ-oxo bridging moieties forming a Bi2O2 center, consistent with the propensity of bismuth(III) oxides to spontaneously dimerize or polymerize. However, a modified version of Dostál's bismuthinidene with ketimine arms and m-terphenyl substituents on the ketimine nitrogen atoms disfavors dimerization, instead forming a rare monomeric organobismuth(III) hydroxide upon reaction with N2O. In either case, reduction of the product with pinacolborane (HBpin) returns the bismuth(III) centers to the bismuth(I) state and yields a mixture of HOBpin and (pinB)2O, completing the catalytic cycle.
Hydrodefluorination of polyfluoroarenes
The electronic properties of the N,C,N-pincer ligand may be tuned with electron withdrawing groups to promote the reactivity of bismuthinidenes toward aryl C-F bonds. One example is Phebox-Bi(I), an N,C,N-coordinated bismuthinidene stabilized by a 2,6-bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl (Phebox) pincer ligand. Unlike Dostál's bismuthinidene, which has only shown reactivity towards pentafluoropyridine, Phebox-Bi(I) has demonstrated a propensity to add to C-F bonds in a variety of perfluorinated arenes, including pentafluoropyridine, substituted pentafluorobenzenes, highly fluorinated phosphine compounds, octafluoronaphthalene, and decafluorobiphenyl. After oxidative addition to the aryl C-F bond, the resulting Phebox-Bi(III)(fluoroaryl) fluoride intermediate may undergo ligand metathesis with diethylsilane, replacing the Bi(III)-F bond with a Bi(III)-H bond. The unstable Bi(III) hydride then undergoes aryl C-H reductive elimination, regenerating Phebox-Bi(I) and the hydrodefluorinated product. The catalyst usually targets C-F bonds para to any electron-withdrawing substituents or heteroatoms on the fluorinated substrate. Reaction rates decrease significantly when the fluorinated substrate contains an electron-donating group.
Reduction of dihydrogen from acetic acid
Electrochemical studies indicate that Dostál's bismuthinidene may serve as an electrocatalyst for the formation of hydrogen gas. Cyclic voltammetry and DFT calculations indicate that, under reducing conditions, acetic acid binds to the central bismuth atom, transferring a hydrogen atom to bismuth and generating an N,C,N-coordinated bismuth(III) acetate hydride intermediate. Rearrangement of the acetate ligand from the equatorial to the axial position allows a second equivalent of acetic acid to bind to the bismuth center, eliminating H2 in the process. Two-electron reduction releases acetate ligands, regenerating the bismuthinidene catalyst.
Intrinsic reactivity
Intrinsic bismuthinidene transformation reactions generally involve a double oxidation from the bismuth(I) redox state to the bismuth(III) redox state, generating unsymmetrically substituted trivalent bismuth(III) compounds that would have been difficult to synthesize through organometallic reagents.
Oxidative addition toward alkyl halides and diphenyldichalcogenides
The low valency of bismuthinidenes renders them reactive toward carbon-polar group bonds. Oxidative addition reactions between Dostál's bismuthinidene and primary C(sp3)-X bonds are particularly favorable for X = I or OTf, converting the bismuth(I) center to a bismuth(III) alkyl halide or alkyl triflate. This is true even for longer fluorinated alkyl halides up to six carbon atoms in length. Steric hindrance prevents the activation of tert-butyl iodide by Dostál's bismuthinidene, although a metastable analog with amine pincer arms rather than imine pincer arms (Ar'Bi, where Ar' = 2,6-C6H3(CH2NMe2)2) does participate in oxidative addition even with bulky tertiary C-X bonds, likely because the increased rotational mobility of the amine arms allows them to rotate away from the incoming bulky alkyl group in the transition state.
This metastable Ar'Bi, as well as N,C-stabilized bismuthinidene, are also reactive toward diphenyldichalcogenides. While the former yields stable crystals of Ar'Bi(III)(EPh)2 (E = S, Se, Te) upon reaction with PhEEPh, the latter yields [2-C6H4(CH=NC6H3(i-Pr)2-2,6)]2Bi(III)(EPh) with two N,C ligands and only one phenyl chalcogenolate. The N,C,N- and doubly N,C-coordinated bismuth(III) phenyl tellurolates are particularly unstable and decompose to form a mixture of products. Oxidative additions of N,C,N-coordinated bismuthinidene to diaryldisulfides are tolerant to a variety of aryl functional groups, including pyridyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, and aminophenyl groups.
Hetero Diels-Alder reaction with alkynes
In 2019, Kořenková et al. discovered that Dostál's bismuthinidene behaves as a masked heterocyclic diene in the presence of the electron-deficient alkyne dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), performing a hetero Diels-Alder [4+2] cycloaddition reaction to yield CO2Me-disubstituted 1-bisma-1,4-dihydro-iminonaphthalene, effectively converting one of the pendant imine arms of the bismuthinidene into a nitrogen-bridged bismacyclohexadiene, with the bismuth(III) atom serving as a bridgehead and the second imine arm largely losing coordination with the bismuth(III) center. A similar cycloaddition reaction between Dostál's bismuthinidene and methyl propiolate yields an iminonaphthalene only as an intermediate, as the bridgehead bismuth atom is quickly attacked by a deprotonated second equivalent of methyl propiolate, breaking the Bi-N bond and yielding a boat-shaped bismacyclohexadiene moiety. Though technically unbridged, the axial amine group on the bismacyclohexadiene ring remains datively coordinated to the bismuth heteroatom.
Transition metal chemistry
Although N,C,N-coordinated bismuthinidenes are stable without transition metal coordination, they are reactive toward certain electron-deficient transition metal complexes and act as L-type donor ligands. Upon addition of Dostál's bismuthinidene (ArBi; Ar = C6H3-2,6-(CH=NtBu)2) to solutions of dicobalt octacarbonyl or dimanganese decacarbonyl in toluene, isolable ionic crystals of [(ArBi)2Co(CO)3]+[Co(CO)4]− or [(ArBi)2Mn(CO)4]+[Mn(CO)5]− begin to form. These complexes show significant covalent interaction between the bismuth(I) atoms and the cobalt or manganese centers, though these bismuth-metal bonds are dative in character. Because the bismuth-metal bonding consists almost entirely of σ-donation of the electrons in the p-type lone pair on bismuth into the dz2 orbital of the transition metal center, the ArBi units bond to the metal center in a side-on manner with C-Bi-Co or C-Bi-Mn bond angles close to 90°, such that the planes of the N,C,N ligands and those of the trigonal planar Co(CO)3 or square planar Mn(CO)4 moieties are all nearly parallel with each other. In this binding mode, the aromatic rings on the N,C,N ligands adopt a syn configuration stabilized by weak CH···CH and CH···O interactions.
Dostál's bismuthinidene also binds to gold(I) centers stabilized by the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand IPr (1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene). Ligand exchange with [Au(IPr)(ACN)]+[BF4]− yields the complex [Au(IPr)(ArBi)]+[BF4]− as a white powder. Though this complex is stabilized by the dative donation of electrons from Bi(I) into the empty 6s orbital of Au(I), this Bi(I) → Au(I) interaction is nevertheless stronger than any previously discovered Bi(III) → Au(I) interactions in which the bismuth atom acts as a donor. Furthermore, it represents the first stable, isolable complex containing Bi(I) → Au(I) interaction, which is thought to be enabled by the N,C,N-pincer ligand backbone.
Similar reactivities have also been observed for the metastable version of Dostál's bismuthinidene containing amine pincer arms rather than imine pincer arms (Ar’Bi; Ar’ = C6H3-2,6-(CH2NMe2)2). Addition of this metastable bismuthinidene to THF solutions of M(CO)5 (where M = Cr, Mo, W) yields isolable crystals of [Ar’BiM(CO)5]. As before, the Ar’-Bi unit binds to the M(CO)5 moiety in a side-on fashion, with σ-donation from Bi(I) into the metal dz2 orbital. The reaction between Ar’-Bi and diiron nonacarbonyl likewise yields mostly [Ar’BiFe(CO)5], along with a small amount of [Ar’Bi(Fe(CO)4)2] as a minor product. In fact, the reactivities of Dostál's bismuthinidene ArBi and its metastable analog Ar’-Bi toward transition metals are so similar that, upon reaction with Co2(CO)8, they form the analogous complexes [(ArBi)2Co(CO)3]+[Co(CO)4]− and [(Ar’Bi)2Co(CO)3]+[Co(CO)4]−, respectively, with similar binding modes, bond lengths, and bond angles.
References
Organobismuth compounds | Bismuthinidene | [
"Chemistry"
] | 5,075 | [
"Functional groups",
"Octet-deficient functional groups"
] |
72,372,372 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New%20Zealand%20College%20of%20Clinical%20Psychologists | The New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP) is a professional association for clinical psychologists in New Zealand.
History
The college was established in August 1989, breaking away from the New Zealand Psychological Society. The college formed in order to promote and coordinate for the profession of Clinical Psychology. By 2004, the college had grown to 450 members.
Ethics
Members of the society are signatories to the Code of Ethics for Psychologists Working in Aotearoa/New Zealand, which was established in 2002 due to the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Prior to the establishment of the code, each individual professional association for psychologists in New Zealand had their own code of ethics.
Presidents
Past presidents of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists include Olina Carter, John Dugdale, John Bushnell, Nigel Fairley, and Malcolm Stewart
Publications
Journal of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
References
External links
Official website
1989 establishments in New Zealand
Clinical psychology
Mental health organisations in New Zealand
Organizations established in 1989
Professional associations based in New Zealand
Psychological societies
Psychology-related professional associations
Psychology organisations based in New Zealand | New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists | [
"Biology"
] | 217 | [
"Behavioural sciences",
"Behavior",
"Clinical psychology"
] |
72,373,056 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative%20hyperconjugation%20in%20silicon | Negative hyperconjugation is a theorized phenomenon in organosilicon compounds, in which hyperconjugation stabilizes or destabilizes certain accumulations of positive charge. The phenomenon explains corresponding peculiarities in the stereochemistry and rate of hydrolysis.
Second-row elements generally stabilize adjacent carbanions more effectively than their first-row congeners; conversely they destabilize adjacent carbocations, and these effects reverse one atom over. For phosphorus and later elements, these phenomena are easily ascribed to the element's greater electronegativity than carbon. However, Si has lower electronegativity than carbon, polarizing the electron density onto carbon.
The continued presence of second-row type stability in certain organosilicon compounds is known as the silicon α and β effects, after the corresponding locants. These stabilities occur because of a partial overlap between the C–Si σ orbital and the σ* antibonding orbital at the β position, lowering the SN reaction transition state's energy. This hyperconjugation requires an antiperiplanar relationship between the Si group and the leaving group to maximize orbital overlap.
Moreover, there is also another kind of silicon α effect, which is mainly about the hydrolysis on the silicon atom.
Experimental evidence
In 1946, Leo Sommer and Frank C. Whitmore reported that radically chlorinating liquid ethyltrichlorosilane gave an isomeric mixture with exhibited unexpected reactivity in aqueous base. All chlorides pendant to silicon hydrolyze, but the geminal chlorine on carbon failed to hydrolyze, and the vicinal chlorine eliminated to ethene: The same behavior appeared with n-propyltrichlorosilane. The α and γ isomers resisted hydrolysis, but a hydroxyl group replaced the β chlorine: They concluded that silicon inhibits electrofugal activity at the α carbon.
The silicon effect also manifests in certain compound properties. Trimethylsilylmethylamine (Me3SiCH2NH2) is a stronger base (conjugate pKa 10.96) than neopentylamine (conjugate pKa 10.21); trimethylsilylacetic acid (pKa 5.22) is a poorer acid than trimethylacetic acid (pKa 5.00).
In 1994, Yong and coworkers compared the free-energy effects of α- and β-Si(CH3)3 moieties on C–H homo- and heterolysis. They, too, concluded that the β silicon atom could stabilize carbocations and the α silicon destabilize carbocations.
Orbital structure
The silicon α and β effects arise because 3rd period heteroatoms can stabilize adjacent carbanions charges via (negative) hyperconjugation.
In the α effect, reactions that develop negative charge adjacent to the silicon, such as metalations, exhibit accelerated rates. The C–M σ orbital partially overlaps the C–Si σ* anti-bonding orbital, which stabilizes the C–M bond. More generally, (i.e. even for "naked" carbanions) the Si σ* orbitals help stabilize the electrons on the α carbon.
In the β effect, reactions that develop positive charge on carbon atoms β to the silicon accelerate. The C–Si σ orbital partially overlaps the with the C–X (leaving group) σ* orbital (2b): This electron-density donation into the anti-bonding orbital weakens the C–X bond, decreasing the barrier to the cleavage indicated 3, and favoring formation of the carbenium 4.
In silyl ethers
The silicon α‑effect described above is mainly focused on carbon. In fact, the most industrially-important silicon α‑effect instead occurs with silyl ethers. Under hydrolysis condition, certain α-silane-terminated prepolymers crosslink 10-1000 times faster than the corresponding prepolymers produced from conventional Cγ-functionalized trialkoxypropylsilanes and dialkoxymethylpropylsilanes.
History
This silicon α-effect was first observed in the late 1960s by researchers at Bayer AG as an increase in reactivity at the silicon atom for hydrolysis and was used for cross-linking of α-silane-terminated prepolymers. For a long time after that, people attributed this reactivity as silicon α-effect. However, the real mechanism beneath it had been debated for many years after this discovery. Generally, this effect has been rationalized as an intramolecular donor-acceptor interaction between the lone pair of the organofunctional group (such as NR2, OC(O)R, N(H)COOMe) and the silicon atom. However, this hypothesis has been proved incorrect by Mitzel and coworkers and more experiments are needed to interpret this effect.
Mechanism study
Reinhold and coworkers performed a systematical experiment to study the kinetics and mechanisms of hydrolysis of such compounds. They prepared a series of α-silanes and γ-silanes and tested their reactivity in different pH (acidic and basic regime), functional group X and the spacer
between the silicon atom and the functional group X.
In general, they find that under basic conditions, the rate of hydrolysis is mainly controlled by the electrophilicity of the silicon center and the rate of the hydrolysis of the γ-silanes is less influenced by the generally electronegative functional groups than α-silanes. More electronegative the functional groups are, the higher the rate of hydrolysis. However, under acidic conditions, the rate of hydrolysis depends on both the electrophilicity of the silicon center (determining the molecular reactivity) and the concentration of the (protonated) reactive species. Under acidic conditions, the nucleophile changes from OH− to H2O, so it involves the process of protonation and the atoms are protonated could be either silicon or the functional group X. As a result, the general trend in acidic solution is more complicated.
References
Silicon
Physical organic chemistry | Negative hyperconjugation in silicon | [
"Chemistry"
] | 1,285 | [
"Physical organic chemistry"
] |
72,374,204 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nano%20Biomedicine%20and%20Engineering | Nano Biomedicine and Engineering is a quarterly peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal that was established in 2009 covering nanotechnology applied to biology, medicine, and engineering. It is published by the Tsinghua University Press and sponsored by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The editor-in-chief is Daxiang Cui (Shanghai Jiao Tong University). The journal publishes basic, clinical, and engineering research articles, reviews, conference proceedings, editorials, and communications.
Abstracting and indexing
The journal is abstracted and indexed in the Directory of Open Access Journals, EBSCO databases, Embase, and Scopus.
References
External links
Nanotechnology journals
Quarterly journals
Academic journals established in 2009
English-language journals
Creative Commons Attribution-licensed journals
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Nanomedicine journals | Nano Biomedicine and Engineering | [
"Materials_science"
] | 168 | [
"Nanotechnology journals",
"Materials science journals"
] |
72,375,503 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted%20Information%20Security%20Assessment%20Exchange | Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange (TISAX) is an assessment and exchange mechanism for the information security of enterprises, developed by the ENX Association and published by the Verband der Automobilindustrie (German Association of the Automotive Industry or VDA). TISAX concerns the secure processing of information from business partners, the protection of prototypes and data protection in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for potential business transactions between automobile manufacturers and their service providers or suppliers. The VDA established TISAX in 2017 together with the ENX Association.
Tests according to TISAX, especially for service providers and suppliers, are carried out by "TISAX test service providers". The ENX Association acts as a governance organization in the system. It approves the testing service providers and monitors the quality of the execution and the assessment results. This is to ensure that both the results at the end correspond to a desired quality and objectivity, and that the rights and obligations of the participants are safeguarded. This allows a company to decide whether the resulting maturity level of the supplier (service providers and suppliers) meets the requirements of the buyer.
The testing requirements have been revised several times. In October 2020, the status 5.0 was published. Backgrounds, areas of application, execution processes and testing requirements are summarized in a manual.
GitHub is a participant in TISAX with an Assessment Level 2 (AL2) label in the ENX Portal.
References
Information sensitivity
Automotive industry in Europe
Data security | Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange | [
"Engineering"
] | 304 | [
"Cybersecurity engineering",
"Data security"
] |
72,375,745 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC%205501 | NGC 5501 is an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation of Virgo, registered in New General Catalogue (NGC).
Observation history
NGC 5501 was discovered by John Herschel on 13 April 1828. John Louis Emil Dreyer in the New General Catalogue, described the galaxy as "very faint, small, partially resolved, some stars seen".
Notes
References
Galaxies discovered in 1828
5501
Astronomical objects discovered in 1828
Unbarred spiral galaxies
NGC 5501
Discoveries by John Herschel
50724
+00-36-027 | NGC 5501 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 109 | [
"Virgo (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
72,376,123 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha%20%C3%97%20villosa | Mentha × villosa (syn: Mentha alopecuroides, Mentha nemorosa, Mentha villosa var. alopecuroides) also known as hairy mint or mojito mint is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between Mentha spicata and Mentha suaveolens.
This species is native to temperate and warm temperate regions of Europe and occurs in meadows, pastures, and ruderal locations. However, it is cultivated in many other countries throughout the world.
In Cuba and the Philippines, this species is known as yerba buena or hierbabuena. In Cuba, it is a core ingredient in the mojito cocktail, though other mints such as spearmint are used where mojito mint is not available. In the Philippines, this species has a long history of medicinal use and is one of 10 medicinal plant species that the Philippine government has endorsed as effective.
Description
Mentha × villosa is a herbaceous, rhizomatous, perennial plant that grows to be tall, with smooth stems, square in cross section. The rhizomes are wide-spreading and fleshy, and bear fibrous roots.
Cultivation
Historically, this species has been included in European medicinal and aromatic plant gardens, though its cultivation in Europe is in decline. However, the mojito mint variety from Cuba has become increasingly popular in the United States and elsewhere as a culinary garden plant for making mojitos and other culinary uses. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome.
References
Antiemetics
Herbs
villosa
Hybrid plants
Plants described in 1778 | Mentha × villosa | [
"Biology"
] | 337 | [
"Hybrid plants",
"Plants",
"Hybrid organisms"
] |
72,377,364 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine-free%20germanium%20processing | Chlorine-free germanium processing are methods of germanium activation to form useful germanium precursors in a more energy efficient and environmentally friendly way compared to traditional synthetic routes. Germanium tetrachloride is a valuable intermediate for the synthesis of many germanium complexes. Normal synthesis of it involves an energy-intensive dehydration of germanium oxide, GeO2, with hydrogen chloride, HCl Due to the environmental and safety impact of non-recyclable, high energy reactions with HCl, an alternative synthesis of a shelf-stable germanium intermediate precursor without chlorine is of interest. In 2017, a synthesis of organogermanes, GeR4 without using chloride species was reported, allowing for a much more environmentally friendly and low energy synthesis using GeO2, Ge(0), and even selectively activating germanium in the presence of zinc oxide (ZnO), resulting in products that are bench stable and solid.
Synthesis of organogermanes
Oxidation of germanium metal
Glavinović et al. have synthesized organogermanes using ortho-quinone, which is both redox "non-innocent" and acts as a pseudo-halide, resulting in an air and moisture stable beige solid. Referring to the scheme below, when Ge(0), ortho-quinone, and pyridine (acting as an auxiliary ligand) were milled via liquid assisted grinding in a 1:1 mixture of toluene and water, the resulting organogermane was recrystallized in toluene resulting in 88% yield. In this reaction, the quinone ligands each undergo a two-electron oxidation, resulting in the Ge(0) oxidized to Ge(IV). This reaction was shown to work both at the milligram and the gram scale, proving its efficiency in the bulk scale.
Dehydration of GeO2
Following a nearly identical reaction scheme as the oxidation of germanium metal with ortho-quinone, dehydration of GeO2 with catechol ligands results in the same product as the oxidation product, with similar yield 74% on milligram scale and 84% on the gram scale. This particular scheme is of much note since the sole byproduct of this reaction is water. These reactions could provide an alternative to normal oxide separations for other metals that are energy intensive and otherwise wasteful.
Extraction from ZnO
Industrially, germanium can be extracted from ZnO, contains amounts of GeO2. Using HCl, the key product of GeCl4 and ZnCl2 byproduct can be produced. The zinc byproduct can be distilled at high temperatures, leaving only germanium tetrachloride. A new method of chlorine-free germanium processing has proven effective in extracting germanium from zinc oxide, giving hope to replace the HCl leaching and distillation process currently employed by industry. In both 1:1 and 1:5 mass ratios of GeO2 and ZnO, germanium oxide was selectively activated by simple addition of catechol, and letting the reaction proceed under the same conditions as the dehydration reaction. The unreacted zinc oxide can be washed away with dichloromethane and the bis(catecholate) germanium product recrystallized in cyclohexane. Despite zinc oxide being present in the reaction vessel, the intermediate germanium product yields remain high, being 64 and 66%. This method, as well as other halogen-free germanium extraction methods, make the possibility of halogen free germanium processing a future possibility.
Other auxiliary ligands
The mechanochemical activation of germanium described above can be used with a variety of auxiliary amine-based ligands and not just pyridine as used in the syntheses above. Uni-dentate ligands such as N-methyl imidazole can be used to create a trans-disposed octahedral germanium product, isostructural to the complexes of both the catechol and ortho-quinone that contain pyridine. However, chelating ligands can be used to form the product with nitrogens cis to each other. For example, in a reaction using tetramethylethylenediamine as a chelating bi-dentate diamine affords the cis- product with catechol ligands at the other octahedral binding sites. More research as additionally been done to show that the nitrogen-containing ligands can be biologically active ones which operate at very low reduction potentials. This makes the germanium complexes with those ligands easily reducible and highly nucleophilic, making substitution and activation even easier.
Substitution reactions
Substitutions to form tetraorganogermanes
Reagents and products
The intermediates prepared by the above method are able to easily undergo substitution reactions with nucleophiles to form tetraorganogermanes, GeR4, of which include, GeH4, Germane. Germane is a key material in optical and electronic device fabrication. These substitution reactions return the original catechol ligand, making this germanium activation process easily recyclable. A solution of 20 equivalents of an alkyl or aryl Grignard reagent in tetrahydrofuran, combined with bis(catecholate) complex leads to a homogeneous solution of reagents in THF. Refluxing this solution for 24 hours yields the Grignard product organogermane in relatively high yield across multiple reagents. The figure below shows different reagents used by Glavinović et al, showing the efficacy of the substitution reaction.
Proposed mechanism
The substitution reaction described above is thought to process via a mechanism in which steric strain of the complex is slowly alleviated over the course of the reaction. The first Grignard reagent substitutes the most sterically hindered oxygen position, where the t-butyl group of the catechol ligand is alpha to the oxygen. The second Grignard reagent substitutes the now uni-dentate catechol-grignard adduct, removing the ligand and resulting in two complete substitutions. Referring to the scheme below, treating intermediate 2 with an additional equivalent of Grignard reagent yields 3 at a faster rate than the rate to make 2, and treatment of 3 with two equivalents of reagent yields 4 at even more quickly. This is starkly different from the substitution reactions of GeCl4, in which the germanium center becomes more sterically hindered over the course of the reaction as ligand exchange of the carbons and the chlorides progresses, making the substitution more difficult.
The stereochemical selectivity of the substitution reaction is further enforced by the identity of the auxiliary amine ligand. By using a more sterically encumbered amine ligand such as triethylamine, a 1.67:1 mixture of dibutyl-germane-η2-catecholate and tributylgermyl-η1-catecholate is produced after substitution with two equivalents of BuMgCl. This proves the effect of steric encumbrance on the product of the substitution reaction as the resulting tri-substituted product has the least sterically encumbered oxygen remaining bonded to the catecholate. This reaction pathway could allow new synthetic pathways for more stereo complex and functionalized germanium complexes.
Substitution to form germane
Despite being highly volatile and toxic, germane, GeH4, is extremely important in the field of optoelectronics and is a good candidate for vapor deposition to form thin films of germanium. However, germane must be extremely pure to use in such a way, and much research has gone into developing methodologies to prepare and purify germane. Using bis(catecholate) germanium and lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) in dibutyl ether with argon as a carrier gas, the substitution reaction yields high purity germane in the Ar carrier gas with no evolution of volitile Ge byproducts. This reaction pathway for production of germane requires no postsynthetic processing or purification, proving this to be more advantageous than current methods.
References
Chemical processes | Chlorine-free germanium processing | [
"Chemistry"
] | 1,739 | [
"Chemical process engineering",
"Chemical processes",
"nan"
] |
72,377,771 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobornyl%20acetate | Isobornyl acetate is an organic compound consisting of the acetate ester or the terpenoid isoborneol. It is a colorless liquid with a pleasant pine-like scent, and it is produced on a multi-ton scale for this purpose. The compound is prepared by reaction of camphene with acetic acid in the presence of a strongly acidic catalyst such as sulfuric acid. Hydrolysis of isobornyl acetate gives isoborneol, a precursor to camphor.
Like many plant exudates, isobornyl acetate appears to have antifeedant properties.
References
Acetate esters
Terpenes and terpenoids | Isobornyl acetate | [
"Chemistry"
] | 135 | [
"Biomolecules by chemical classification",
"Natural products",
"Organic compounds",
"Terpenes and terpenoids",
"Organic chemistry stubs"
] |
72,379,025 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkerakdam | The (English: Volkerak Dam) or (Volkerak Works) is the name given to a group of hydraulic engineering structures between Goeree-Overflakkee and North Brabant in the Netherlands. The works are not a single dam, but are composed of three distinct structures: a dam between Goeree-Overflakkee and Hellegatsplein, a series of locks from Hellegatsplein to North Brabant, and a bridge from Hellegatsplein to Hoekse Waard. The works cross three separate bodies of water: the Haringvliet, Hollands Diep and Volkerak. The works together comprise the fifth project of the Delta Works.
The works were conceived in response to the North Sea flood of 1953, as a result of which it was decided to close the inlets in Zeeland and South Holland. The committee which oversaw the Delta Works concluded that it was necessary to construct two compartmentalisation dams, the Grevelingendam and the Volkerakdam, to close the inlets. It was also deemed necessary to separate the Haringvliet from the waters to the south, to ensure the transport of drift ice from the Hollands Diep to the sea, and to keep the water quality of the (planned) Zeeland Lake acceptable, preserving it from contaminated Rhine water.
In addition, a fixed water level on the Zeeland Lake was desirable for the purpose of shipping between Antwerp and Rotterdam, as the water level on the Haringvliet would vary due to the varying discharge of the Rhine. The construction of the Volkerakdam modified tidal movements across the entire area of the lower rivers, with extensive calculations made using the Deltar analogue computer to analyse these tidal variations.
The Volkerakdam has a supporting environmental function with regard to the primary dams of the Oosterscheldekering, the Brouwersdam and the Haringvlietdam, controlling volumes of freshwater from the Maas and the Waal which enter the waters around Zeeland. As a result of the closure of the Volkerak, the volume of fresh Rhine water entering the estuary decreased. Consequently, the salinity of the Oosterschelde remained relatively constant, increasing the ecological value of the estuary.
The Volkerakdam works also removed the difficulties experienced by shipping from the limited (but very unpredictable) tidal currents in the Hellegat, which had previously resulted in many ships being lost.
Feasibility, planning and design
The shipping channel which formed the connection between the Hollands Diep and Volkerak was noted for the complex and unpredictable nature of tidal currents and the presence of dangerous shoals in the area of the (English: Hellhole), which had led to a number of incidents with shipping navigating between Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Johan van Veen made extensive studies of the Volkerak with a view to improving the situation, and in 1929 he came up with a solution in the form of guiding dams. Van Veen's work was successfully completed in 1931, and along with increasing the safety for navigation in the area, the works and his extensive studies provided significant detailed information essential for the design of the Volkerakdam over twenty years later.
The work started by van Veen continued with an extensive study of the tidal movements and associated phenomena such as sediment transport, tidal channels and detailed bathymetry being made over a number of years, with the objectives of increasing safety from storm surges and providing protection against saltwater intrusion from the sea.
The body responsible for design of the overall Delta Works scheme, known as The Delta Works Committee (), had originally proposed to dam the Volkerak at the level of the Dintel river, and selected the location of the works in a more southerly location than the present position, with a shorter dam. During initial feasibility studies, the advantages of moving the works northward with a bridge crossing between Hellegatsplein and Hoekse Waard were identified, resulting in a decision to build the works in the present location.
Due to the potential effects of the works on shipping between Antwerp and Rotterdam, the authorities in Belgium were involved in the development of the design. The increased cost of the resulting longer dam was mitigated by the fact that the more northerly location facilitated construction at a much reduced water depth.
Effects on tidal behaviour
As was the case with two other Delta Works projects, the Grevelingendam and the Zandkreekdam, the Volkerakdam was designed as a secondary compartmentalisation dam, with the goal of reducing tidal current velocities in four surrounding estuaries to allow subsequent construction of primary dams.
The effects of the construction of the Volkerakdam on tide levels in the area of the lower rivers has been identified at several locations around adjacent water bodies, as shown in the table and graph below. The changes to the tidal range were dependent on the direction and distance from the dam to the station location. In areas south of the dam, the tidal range increased considerably, whereas in areas on the north side the tidal range decreased. Towards Rotterdam, the influence of the Volkerakdam closure on tides became smaller.
Although the tide could still penetrate the Biesbosch through the Haringvliet and the Rotterdam Waterway immediately after the construction of the dam, the works nonetheless had a considerable immediate effect. The tide on the Oosterschelde side of the dam increased, the high water at Tiengemeten and Willemstad dropped by 30 centimetres, with the difference becoming smaller along the Dordtsche Kil and the Noord. However, in the Biesbosch (Mouth of the Donge and Werkendam/Bakkerskil), the tidal range has been significantly reduced.
The design of the abutment caissons was undertaken to minimize scour downstream of the dam, arising from vortices generated by the large vertical head above the sill of the structure. The solution adopted was the use of specially adapted caisson units for the abutment ends, with a sloping bottom to fill the triangular void between the first caisson and the slope underneath, ensuring a good fit. The installation of these special units could be undertaken in a matter of days, therefore reducing the amount of time in which large currents were permitted to flow underneath the gradually closing hole, and limiting the potential for scour.
Construction
The project was constructed in stages between 1957 and 1977. By 1969, the dam works were complete, however Rijkswaterstaat then added a third lock and a sluice which took the overall project completion date through until 1977. The section of the works located between the Hellegatsplein and North Brabant is composed of a solid dam, made up of 14 caissons in combination with locks, providing the ability for shipping to pass between Rotterdam and Antwerp. The overall length of the Volkerak works is approximately . The Volkerakdam is , the Haringvliet bridge is and the control lock complex is .
Initial works and construction of the temporary work island at Hellegatsplaat
The first phase of the construction was the section of the dam from the shore of Overflakkee to Hellegat. The works in this location were constructed over a sandbank with low levels of flow, at around sea level, and requiring the closure of only one gully (the ). The construction of this section of the works had little influence on the local tidal movement. Approximately 1.8 million cubic metres of sand was used in the construction of this part of the works, undertaken by the contractor for approximately six million Dutch guilders.
The next phase was the construction of a temporary work island known as Hellegatsplaat, from where the bridge over the Haringvliet was constructed and the dam construction continued. Unlike the previous section, a number of deeper gullies were present, resulting in the use of caisson closures, using a technique which had previously been implemented for the construction of the Veerse Gatdam.
The excavation work for the construction dock involved processing 115,000 cubic metres of sand and excavating 65,000 cubic metres of peat and clay. Excavation and transportation of the sand was undertaken without much difficulty, as the sand could be processed as fill in the immediate vicinity of the construction dock, with much of it being used as soil improvement at the location of the excavated clay and peat layers.
Caissons
The caissons were prefabricated using precast concrete in a casting basin next to the locks. The embankments were constructed between 1967 and 1968, allowing the precast caissons to be placed. With the caissons sunk and completed, the final dam body was constructed, with the crown located 6 metres above sea level.
The bidding process for constructing the caissons necessary for the closure project was finalized in August 1966. Thirteen standard caissons were constructed, including one spare, as well as two skewed approach caissons. The design of the standard caissons was a modified version of those used in the Veerse Gat closure, with dimensions of 45 meters in length, 15 meters in width, and 13.3 meters in height.
Skewed caissons were specifically designed to eliminate the need for vertical abutment construction. The construction dock was strategically located to minimize towing requirements, placing the completed caissons as close as possible to the closure works.
To determine water levels on either side of the closure and the strength of the current passing through the caissons, it was essential to ascertain the discharge coefficients of the caissons. The water flow rate, primarily determined by the difference in water levels on either side of the closure, also depended on the shape of the flow-through openings in the caissons. Improved flow guidance led to a greater discharge. The influence of the flow-through openings' shape was expressed as the discharge coefficient.
Model research revealed that steel diagonal members in the flow-through openings negatively impacted the discharge coefficient due to their rectangular shape, causing poor flow behavior. However, experiments demonstrated that circular members increased the discharge coefficient by 8 to 10%.
The caisson placement sequence was based on both hydrological and technical execution considerations. Two potential methods were considered:
Working from one side of the closure to the other, with the final caisson placed near an abutment.
Alternating caisson placement from one side to the other, with the final caisson positioned at the closure's center.
The second method was preferred from a technical standpoint, offering construction schedule benefits such as working around a caisson from both banks and dividing the working face into two fronts. This approach resulted in a more balanced distribution of work and reduced time risk for the construction schedule.
Laboratory studies on the closure's shape aimed to ensure regular flow distribution and minimize vortex street occurrences. Measurements taken during the closure confirmed that the model research results satisfactorily aligned with real-world conditions.
The caissons were placed during slack water, with the intention of the structure reaching the bottom exactly at the moment of tidal reversal. Research during the design stage showed that there was approximately 80 minutes available for the entire caisson sinking procedure, and tests were carried out at the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium in Delft to properly coordinate the caisson sinking maneuvers, which were undertaken using seven tugboats.
The closure took place on 25 April 1969. To increase stability during the towing and sinking processes, temporary stabilising boards were installed in the centre of each caisson unit. After completion of the closure, the re-usable elements from the caisson sinking procedure, including winches and sealing bulkheads, were removed and reused in the caissons of the Brouwersdam. The temporary casting basin for the Volkerak locks was also constructed in this section, with the soil dredged to construct this basin subsequently used as fill for the construction of ring dikes and the connecting road to Willemstad.
Contractors responsible for the works
The scale of the works meant that construction was undertaken by a number of companies, including joint venture arrangements of Dutch and Belgian companies, formed from the contractors listed in the table below.
Road connections
Roads were constructed over the dam, creating traffic connections between South Holland, Zeeland and the west of North Brabant. The intersection known as the , where the roads from Zierikzee (N59), Rotterdam (A29) and West Brabant (A29/A59) converge, is located in the middle of the dam, on the artificial island of .
The Haringvliet Bridge
The Haringvliet Bridge is not part of the Volkerakdam, but forms part of the Volkerak Works (). Plans for a bridge crossing of the Haringvliet had existed independently of the Delta Works since 1937, when a committee had investigated the possibility of establishing a permanent bridge connection between the island of Goeree-Overflakkee and South Holland.
Following the disruption brought about by the Second World War, the plans for the bridge connection had come forward again in 1947, and by 1952 a route across Tiengemeten was proposed, but these plans were superseded after the 1953 North Sea flood disaster and the Delta Works plan. The option of including a bridge crossing as part of the Volkerak Works then began to be explored.
Construction of the bridge started in 1961, and was completed in 1964. Funding for the bridge did not come from the Delta Works budget, with the investment required to construct it covered by implementing a toll on vehicles using it. In 1975, the bridge was taken into public ownership under the management of Rijkswaterstaat, and the toll requirement was removed. The level of annual average daily traffic using the bridge far exceeded original estimates, which contributed to deterioration of the bridge resulting in emergency weight restrictions and bridge strengthening measures being introduced in the 2010s.
The Willemstad Man
On 21 April 1966, during excavations for the Volkerak lock complex casting basin, construction workers M. Ten Hove and A. Roelants discovered a small carved oak male human figure. Subsequent radiocarbon analysis dated the figure to the 5th millennium BC, during the Mesolithic period. The figure is known as the (English: Willemstad Man) and is displayed in The (English: National Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden.
Media
See also
Delta Works
Flood control in the Netherlands
Rijkswaterstaat
Johan van Veen
References
External links
Volkerakdam at the Watersnoodmuseum Knowledge Centre Information on the Volkerakdam from the official Watersnoodmuseum website
Dams in South Holland
Dams in North Brabant
Dams completed in 1977
Delta Works | Volkerakdam | [
"Physics"
] | 3,002 | [
"Physical systems",
"Hydraulics",
"Delta Works"
] |
72,380,107 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20psychoactive%20substances%20and%20precursor%20chemicals%20derived%20from%20genetically%20modified%20organisms | List of various substances that are either psychoactive themselves or serve as precursors to psychoactive compounds, all sourced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Psychoactive substances
Psychoactive substances derived from genetically modified organisms.
Cocaine
GMO plant: Nicotiana benthamiana (a tobacco plant)
Psilocybin
GMO bacteria: Escherichia coli
GMO yeast: Baker’s yeast
THC
GMO bacteria: Zymomonas mobilis (used to produce tequila)
Tropane alkaloids: Hyoscyamine and scopolamine
GMO yeast: Baker’s yeast
Precursor chemicals
Precursor chemicals derived from genetically modified organisms.
Lysergic acid (LSD precursor)
GMO yeast: Baker’s yeast
Thebaine (morphine precursor)
GMO bacteria: E. coli
See also
Biodiversity and drugs
List of psychoactive substances derived from artificial fungi biotransformation
References
Drug-related lists
Genetically modified organisms
Biological sources of psychoactive drugs | List of psychoactive substances and precursor chemicals derived from genetically modified organisms | [
"Chemistry",
"Engineering",
"Biology"
] | 201 | [
"Drug-related lists",
"Genetic engineering",
"Genetically modified organisms"
] |
72,380,270 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arene%20complexes%20of%20univalent%20gallium%2C%20indium%2C%20and%20thallium | Arene complexes of univalent gallium, indium, and thallium are complexes featuring the centric (η6) coordination of the metal to the arene. Although arene complexes of transitional metals have long been reported, arene complexes of the main group elements remain scarce. This might be partly explained by the difference in energy of the d and p orbitals.
Synthesis and structures
Ga()-arene complexes
Benzene Ga() complexes have been discovered since 1967, and phase diagram studies and vibrational spectroscopy combined with 71Ga-NMR suggested the interaction between Ga() and arenes. However, there was no direct crystallographic evidence for such structures, so the existence of Ga()-arene complexes remained in doubt for a long time. The first Ga()-arene complex characterized by X-ray diffraction experiments is [{(C6H6)2Ga}+{GaCl4}−]2, which was obtained by cooling a saturated Ga[GaCl4] benzene solution to room temperature. After that, a series of Ga()-arene complexes of different structures have been reported, and these corroborative examples make the existence of benzene-metal interactions for p-block elements no doubt.
In()-arene complexes
In(I)-arene complexes are more difficult to obtain than their gallium analogs. There have been a lot of efforts in trying to react indium subhalides with different kinds of hydrocarbons, but no reaction takes place. However, it was found that In[InBr4] readily reacts with 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene to form {[(CH3)3C6H3]2In(InBr4)}, which features chain-like coordination polymers of [InBr4]−-linked bis(arene)indium moieties.
Tl()-arene complexes
Despite the fact that thallium() tetrahalometalates are soluble in aromatic solvents, these Tl()-arene complexes are very unstable and hard to characterize. The first example of Tl()-arene complex characterized by X-ray diffraction experiments is [(1,3,5-(CH3)3C6H3)6TI4(GaBr4)4], which is synthesized by reacting Tl[GaBr4] with mesitylene. In this complex, both mono- and bis(arene)thallium moieties are in the same cluster.
Bonding
Metal-arene complexes are best described as donor-acceptor adducts, with the π system being the donor component. This bonding mode is also supported by the fact that when electron-releasing substituents are introduced, the stability of these complexes is enhanced. In the molecular orbital description of a mono arene Ga() complex, the Lowest Unoccupied Atomic Orbital of the metal and the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital(HOMO) of the arene have the same symmetry and lead to bonding and antibonding interactions. In this case, the four electrons in the HOMO of the arene fill in the binding orbitals, accounting for the interactions between metal and the arene. However, due to the large difference in the energy of arene and metal orbitals, this binding interaction is relatively weak and can not compete with other metal-ligand interactions.
Practical aspects
Research on these arene/Ga(), In(), Tl() systems are not only of scientific significance but also have potential significance in the application. First off, they are strong homogeneous reducing agents which may lead to new structures and reactivities. What is more, gallium has an acceptable price and is of no environmental concern. Secondly, they can serve as catalysts/initiators in catalytic cycles. Recently, Krossing and coworkers reported a Ga() initiated hydrosilylation reaction, which opens up new windows for main group catalysis. Finally, the fast development in the industry of electrical conductors and semiconductors creates a huge demand for ultra-high purity metals among which gallium and Indium are two very important ones. The unique solubility of Ga() and In() arene complexes opens new avenues for metal separation. By applying electrochemical methods, metals of ultra-high purity can be recovered from solutions.
References
Aromatic compounds | Arene complexes of univalent gallium, indium, and thallium | [
"Chemistry"
] | 917 | [
"Organic compounds",
"Aromatic compounds"
] |
72,380,805 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual%20description | Visual description, also referred to as image description or self description (or in the case of film or television program audio description) is a detailed explanation of visual which provides textual or verbal access to visual content or scenery. When referring to webpages, social media content, or online documents, visual description is often conveyed in the form of Alt attribute, and in the case of self-introduction for inclusive meetings, it is often the verbal or written description of one's physical characteristics, identity and surroundings.
Image description
An image description is a form of text-based description referring to the characteristics of an image. Alt text presents visual information via text (usually encoded in HTML code), primarily to aid blind people using screen readers so they may have access and interact with the visual.
Self description
To provide visual access for people who are blind or with other disabilities, a self-description is the short explanation of an individual's physical appearance and identity characteristics declared at the start of group meetings, seminars, panel discussions, or general introductory protocol. It usually consists of one's name, gender and ethnic identity, visible qualities and more.
References
Accessibility | Visual description | [
"Engineering"
] | 231 | [
"Accessibility",
"Design"
] |
78,128,775 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common%20fixed%20point%20problem | In mathematics, the common fixed point problem is the conjecture that, for any two continuous functions that map the unit interval into itself and commute under functional composition, there must be a point that is a fixed point of both functions. In other words, if the functions and are continuous, and for all in the unit interval, then there must be some in the unit interval for which .
First posed in 1954, the problem remained unsolved for more than a decade, during which several mathematicians made incremental progress toward an affirmative answer. In 1967, William M. Boyce and John P. Huneke independently proved the conjecture to be false by providing examples of commuting functions on a closed interval that do not have a common fixed point.
History
A 1951 paper by H. D. Block and H. P. Thielman sparked interest in the subject of fixed points of commuting functions. Building on earlier work by J. F. Ritt and A. G. Walker, Block and Thielman identified sets of pairwise commuting polynomials and studied their properties. They proved, for each of these sets, that any two polynomials would share a common fixed point.
Block and Thielman's paper led other mathematicians to wonder if having a common fixed point was a universal property of commuting functions. In 1954, Eldon Dyer asked whether if and are two continuous functions that map a closed interval on the real line into itself and commute, they must have a common fixed point. The same question was raised independently by Allen Shields in 1955 and again by Lester Dubins in 1956. John R. Isbell also raised the question in a more general form in 1957.
During the 1960s, mathematicians were able to prove that the commuting function conjecture held when certain assumptions were made about and .
In 1963, Ralph DeMarr showed that if and are both Lipschitz continuous, and if the Lipschitz constant of both is , then and will have a common fixed point. Gerald Jungck refined DeMarr's conditions, showing that they need not be Lipschitz continuous, but instead satisfy similar but less restrictive criteria.
Taking a different approach, Haskell Cohen showed in 1964 that and will have a common fixed point if both are continuous and open. Later, both Jon H. Folkman and James T. Joichi, working independently, extended Cohen's work, showing that it is only necessary for one of the two functions to be open.
John Maxfield and W. J. Mourant, in 1965, proved that commuting functions on the unit interval have a common fixed point if one of the functions has no period 2 points (i.e., implies ). The following year, Sherwood Chu and R. D. Moyer found that the conjecture holds when there is a subinterval in which one of the functions has a fixed point and the other has no period 2 points.
Boyce's counterexample
William M. Boyce earned his Ph.D. from Tulane University in 1967. In his thesis, Boyce identified a pair of functions that commute under composition, but do not have a common fixed point, proving the fixed point conjecture to be false.
In 1963, Glenn Baxter and Joichi published a paper about the fixed points of the composite function . It was known that the functions and permute the fixed points of . Baxter and Joichi noted that at each fixed point, the graph of must either cross the diagonal going up (an "up-crossing"), or going down (a "down-crossing"), or touch the diagonal and then move away in the opposite direction. In an independent paper, Baxter proved that the permutations must preserve the type of each fixed point (up-crossing, down-crossing, touching) and that only certain orderings are allowed.
Boyce wrote a computer program to generate permutations that followed Baxter's rules, which he named "Baxter permutations." His program carefully screened out those that could be trivially shown to have fixed points or were analytically equivalent to other cases. After eliminating more than 97% of the possible permutations through this process, Boyce constructed pairs of commuting functions from the remaining candidates and was able to prove that one such pair, based on a Baxter permutation with 13 points of crossing on the diagonal, had no common fixed point.
Boyce's paper is one of the earliest examples of a computer-assisted proof. It was uncommon in the 1960s for mathematicians to rely on computers for research, but Boyce, then serving in the Army, had access to computers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Boyce published a separate paper describing his process for generating Baxter permutations, including the FORTRAN source code of his program.
Huneke's counterexample
John P. Huneke also investigated the common fixed point problem for his Ph.D. at Wesleyan University, which he also received in 1967. In his thesis, Huneke provides two examples of function pairs that commute but have no common fixed points, using two different strategies. The first of Huneke's examples is essentially identical to Boyce's, though Huneke arrived at it through a different process.
Huneke's solution is based on the mountain climbing problem, which states that two climbers, climbing separate mountains of equal height, will be able to climb in such a way that they will always be at the same elevation at each point in time. Huneke used this principle to construct sequences of functions that will converge to the counterexample to the common fixed point problem.
Later research
Although the discovery of counterexamples by Boyce and Huneke meant that the decade-long pursuit of a proof of the commuting function conjecture was lost, it did enable researchers to focus their efforts on investigating under what conditions, in addition to the ones already discovered, the conjecture still might hold true.
Boyce extended the work of Maxfield/Mourant and Chu/Moyer in 1971, showing weaker conditions that allow both of the commuting functions to have period 2 points but still imply that they must have a common fixed point. His work was later extended by Theodore Mitchell, Julio Cano, and Jacek R. Jachymski.
Over 25 years after the publication of his first paper, Jungck defined additional conditions under which and will have a common fixed point, based on the notions of periodic points and the coincidence set of the functions, that is, the values for which .
Baxter permutations have become a subject of research in their own right and have been applied to other problems beyond the common fixed point problem.
References
Fixed points (mathematics)
Mathematical problems
Disproved conjectures | Common fixed point problem | [
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78,130,935 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSK-2849466 | GSK-2849466 is an investigational new drug that is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that was being developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). This experimental compound reached Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of cachexia and heart failure. However, as of February 2014, GSK discontinued the development of GSK-2849466 for both indications after completing Phase I studies.
References
Abandoned drugs
Tertiary alcohols
Anilines
Benzonitriles
Chloroarenes
Nitriles
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78,131,026 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSK-971086 | GSK-971086 is an investigational new drug that is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that was being developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the potential treatment of sarcopenia. As a SARM, GSK-971086 was designed to target androgen receptors in specific tissues, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for muscle wasting conditions while minimizing unwanted androgenic side effects. The compound underwent early-stage clinical trials to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile in human subjects.
References
Abandoned drugs
Indoles
Nitriles
Oxadiazoles
Selective androgen receptor modulators
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78,131,593 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014%20Taiwanese%20Adulterated%20Oil%20Scandal | 2014 Taiwanese Adulterated Oil Scandal refers to the incident in 2014 when many edible oil manufacturers in Taiwan were found to have violated the law. The incident aroused widespread public attention on food safety issues, including the detection of several scandal of inferior oil products.
Reasons and analysis
"Adulterated Edible Pork Lard"
Around 2009, an elderly farmer in a village in Pingtung County retired from the north to his hometown to farm and raise chickens and ducks. Several months later, Guo Liecheng purchased land nearby and set up an "underground oil factory" specializing in the production of adulterated low-quality oils. Due to improper waste discharge, the factory caused a foul odor that made the surrounding environment unbearable. The elderly farmer and other local residents repeatedly reported this to the Pingtung County government, but to no avail. Eventually, they gathered evidence on their own. In August 2013, through a friend, they reported the case to the Taichung City Police Department. After gathering evidence, the officers, due to the long distance, transferred the case to the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office in April 2014, leading to the eventual bust of this case, which threatened public food safety. However, the subsequent extensive media coverage made the villagers worry about possible retaliation from criminal groups.
Law enforcement officials pointed out that Chang Guann Co. was a well-established oil company in Taiwan, with some products certified by ISO and WHO's food GMP standards. In early 2014, the price of Chang Guann's lard rose by about 10% above the market rate, deceiving thousands of mid- and downstream companies and affecting the entire Taiwanese population. The company’s chairman, Yeh Wen-hsiang, had been in the oil processing business for 40 years and had been reported multiple times for producing adulterated oil from recycled waste oil. Since 2008, he had imported animal feed oil from Hong Kong, amassing 56 batches totaling 2,385 tons of pork oil, which was secretly processed into low-quality edible oil, a fraudulent practice that may have been ongoing for years.
On September 4, 2014, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) stated that Chang Guann Co. had purchased recycled waste oil and gutter oil from "Guo Liecheng's factory" in Pingtung, blending 33% of this adulterated oil with 67% lard to produce a product labeled as "Chuan Tung Fragrant Lard." Many well-known downstream companies used this tainted oil. The Taipei City Department of Health held a press conference in the evening, revealing that 12 processed products, such as meat sauces and meat floss manufactured by Wei Chuan Corp., a subsidiary of Ting Hsin International Group, were made with Chang Guann's "Chuan Tung Fragrant Lard." Wei Chuan voluntarily initiated recalls, ceased sales, and took preventive measures. The Department of Health urged food businesses that had used or sold processed products containing this lard to halt manufacturing, processing, and sales, and to report to the health authorities for inspection and traceability.
Adulterated Feed Oil
Guo Liecheng's Underground Gutter Oil Factory in Pingtung, Jin Wei Enterprises
Due to negligence by the Pingtung County Government, Guo Liecheng's underground gutter oil factory and Jin Wei Enterprises (which had a temporary factory registration that was revoked on September 19) were able to operate, as well as the illegal Yoho Beach Resort in Kenting, which was allowed to continue its business "legally." On the evening of September 11, Zhu Qingcheng, Deputy Director of the Livestock Department of the Council of Agriculture, released transaction details from Jin Wei for January to the end of August 2014. A total of 815.7 tons of oil were distributed to 14 companies, with 26.1 tons being sealed, and 789.6 tons already sold. It is suspected that 96.8% of this oil had already been consumed by the public. Feed oil was not listed as a registered ingredient for animal feed, and its raw materials, production process, and distribution were never regulated. Gutter oil was even mixed into feed oil for animals, which eventually ended up being consumed by humans.
On September 10, investigators discovered that Jin Wei had been commissioned by major food companies, such as Ju Yi, to refine "edible goose oil" for almost a year, even though Jin Wei was only authorized to produce "animal feed oil." The Pingtung County government could not find the appropriate legal regulations to impose penalties and could only order the factory to shut down due to unsanitary conditions, revealing a gap in law enforcement.
Hsin Hao Enterprises (Upstream Supplier of Ting Hsin International Group)
In the early hours of October 8, Hsin Hao Enterprises Co., Ltd. representative Wu Ronghe was detained by investigators after being found to have adulterated “feed oil” with “edible lard” since 2012. This refined oil was then sold to Cheng I Food Co., leading to the contamination of multiple “Cheng I oil” products. It was revealed that Hsin Hao, established by Wu, had minimal staffing, sometimes employing only one or two temporary sales agents. Hsin Hao’s oil sources were complex, involving at least four different types of oils from more than seven suppliers, including feed oil, palm oil, mixed animal-vegetable oil, and recycled waste oil.
According to an October 9 report by TVBS, Wu previously served as the head of the “Special Sales Department” in 2004, responsible for “procurement.” He allegedly left due to disagreements with Ting Hsin International Group after it took control, but in 2010 he started transacting with his former employer through his newly established Hsin Hao company. Prosecutors indicated that, in the past, inspections were conducted by Wu’s former colleagues. However, in May 2014, a new employee who was unfamiliar with him conducted an audit, detected issues with the source of Wu’s lard, and reported it, prompting Cheng I to halt cooperation with him.
On October 10, Apple Daily reported that the Tainan District Prosecutor’s Office stated Hsin Hao’s upstream suppliers included Fulong Oil Company, Jinlong, and Jinhong Trading, all of which are owned by Kuo Shengrong, and all are located in Yihe Village, Citong Township, Yunlin County. Legislator Lin Shufen questioned, “How could a major oil company like Ting Hsin’s Cheng I purchase from Hsin Hao, which doesn’t even own an oil tank?”
On October 10, United Daily News reported that the Tainan District Prosecutor’s Office found that Kuo Shengrong’s companies (Jinhong, Fulong, Jinlong) and Chang Guann had imported 731 tons of non-edible mixed animal and vegetable oil from Golden Pacific, a Hong Kong-based company, which was then resold by Hsin Hao to Cheng I. Meanwhile, Jiufeng Company in Chiayi County also sourced oil from Golden Pacific. Apple Daily on the same day confirmed this but noted that Jiufeng’s oil, imported as “fish oil for feed,” was transported by tank truck directly to Cheng I for processing into edible oil, bypassing customs documentation. The Chiayi Health Bureau indicated that Wu Ronghe used his former connections at Cheng I to secure sales by “personal guarantee” rather than providing customs documentation, violating operational procedures.
On October 9, the Kaohsiung Department of Health and local investigators traced eight upstream suppliers for Cheng I, including Hsin Hao and two other companies in Kaohsiung (He'an and Yongchen), while the other five were referred to regional authorities for further investigation into their oil sources. Zhu Qingcheng, Deputy Director of the Council of Agriculture’s Livestock Department, stated that Hsin Hao was classified as an oil vendor, while Jinhong and Jiufeng were trade companies, and thus not subject to penalties under the existing Feed Management Act. Additionally, the Livestock Department requested that the Pingtung County government investigate the origins and distribution of the lard Hsin Hao purchased from two underground factories in Jiuru and Changzhi Townships in Pingtung.
Ting Hsin International Group and Upstream Suppliers
In the past, imported oils only required customs declarations, and it wasn't until 2012 that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) began regulating imported oils. According to the indictment against Wei Ying-chung, Ting Hsin Oil began importing feed oil from Vietnam’s Dai Hsing Fu for use as lard in 2012.
On October 12, several individuals, including Yang Chen-yi, the head of Dai Hsing Fu (a supplier of Vietnamese feed oil imported by Ting Hsin), were detained. The feed oil supplied by Dai Hsing Fu to clients like Ting Hsin was priced at 20 to 25 NTD per kilogram, even cheaper than Guo Liecheng’s gutter oil, which was priced at 26.7 NTD per kilogram. However, according to the attachment to the first-instance verdict of the Changhua District Court, the actual price for lard imported by Ting Hsin from Dai Hsing Fu ranged from 23.33 to 32.87 NTD, with 15 out of 26 batches priced above 27 NTD per kilogram, contradicting reports that it was cheaper than Guo Liecheng’s gutter oil.The MOHW could only track imported oil quantities from Dai Hsing Fu from August 2013 onward. This limitation was due to the Customs Administration, under the Ministry of Finance, only amending the "Customs Cooperation for Import and Export Trade Management Regulations" on August 16, 2013. This amendment required edible and feed oil imports to undergo inspection by the MOHW's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with customs assisting in inspections, thus allowing for records of Dai Hsing Fu's imports to be traced.
Hong Kong’s Golden Pacific
The Tainan District Prosecutor’s Office discovered that Hsin Hao’s upstream supplier had the same origin as the adulterated oil products of Chang Guann, both tracing back to Hong Kong’s Golden Pacific Company. Feng Runlan, Director of the Regional Control Center at Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stated that Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety responded that the case is still under criminal investigation, and arrangements for Taiwanese personnel to visit Hong Kong cannot be made at this time.
Product Overview
According to the list of affected products released by Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as of September 6, a total of 235 companies were found to have used "Chuan Tung Fragrant Lard" produced by Chang Guann Co., Ltd. On the same day, health authorities in Kaohsiung, Tainan, Changhua, and New Taipei City also discovered that Chang Guann had produced rancid oil for Gong Yan Integrated Marketing Company under the label “Hejiang Fragrant Lard.” This oil was distributed widely, reaching ingredient suppliers, grain stores, bakeries, breakfast shops, and street vendors.
By September 12–13, the scandal expanded as 24 additional lard products from Chang Guann and oils from Fang Fu Company were identified as tainted, leading to a growing number of affected stores and consumers. Despite the public’s alarm, the government initially struggled to find an effective solution, exacerbating concerns over food safety.
Hong Kong
On September 7, 2014, the Hong Kong government announced that three import companies—Dah Chong Hong Holdings Ltd., Veggie International Limited, and Angliss Hong Kong Food Service Ltd.—had imported other lard products from Taiwan's Chang Guann Companyports revealed that Maxim’s Group purchased at least 360 barrels of tainted lard, which was used in their bakery branches, such as Arome Bakery, Can.Teen, and specialty stores of Starbucks, including in the production of pineapple buns .
On Se two major food companies, Lam Soon and Hop Hing, along with the restaurant group Cafe de Coral, were also implicated . Cafe de Coral cn September 9 that one of their food suppliers had used refined lard from Chang Guann for sauces in Hong Kong branches. The company stated they were unaware of the issue beforehand and reported it to the Hong Kong authorities, who arranged for further testing of lard samples .
On September 9, Hong Kor for Food Safety (CFS) released a list of nearly 400 affected downstream companies, including renowned bakeries like Danish Bakery and Yuen Long Tai Tung. High-profile establishments such as Amigo French Restaurant in Happy Valley, Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui, Wang Jia Sha, and Butao Ramen in Shatin, as well as Michelin-recommended Ho Mong Kok Noodles in Mong Kok, were listed as having used the tainted oil. Many named restaurants claimed they were uncertain why they appeared on the list. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department issued a Gazette notice, ordering a recall of approximately 500 tons of affected products, although only 10% could be verified for storage .
On September 17, the CFS publishtional 141 businesses potentially involved in distributing or using Chang Guann’s lard products, including the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC) staff canteen .
On September 23, the CFS found that threehen* products—meat floss, seaweed meat floss, and black pork flakes—were involved.
On September 24, 28 additional vendors were affected, mainly bakeries and cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style cafes), notably including the Kam Fung Cafe in Wan Chai, famous for its chicken pie and milk tea .
Macau
In Macau, importer Dai Hing Oils & Fd. had over 1,000 barrels of the tainted product in stock. The company halted sales of suspected products and notified downstream clients to stop using and selling the affected items .
Mainland China
After an initial investigation, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) in China confirmed that there were no imports of the problematic "Chuan Tung Fragrant Lard." However, AQSIQ issued a consumer advisory to avoid products possibly containing tainted oil purchased through various channels. They directed local inspection and quarantine agencies to halt inspections of products from the 235 companies implicated in Taiwan and to check prior import records. Any related products were to be immediately removed from shelves and recalled . Additionally, Maxim’s Cake Shop and other Maxim's stores in mainland China stated that they did not use Chang Guann’s lard. Similarly, the Hangzhou Wei Chuan Company stated it did not use any edible oils from Taiwan .
On September 8, Taoyuan County's Health Bureau found that garlic toast commissioned by Yi Wang Trading Co. contained the tainted oil. Part of this batch had already reached the market, with one distributor reportedly based in mainland China, though details were withheld. This garlic toast had previously appeared on the popular Taiwanese show Kangsi Coming . In Shanghai, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mobilized over 500 inspectors for city-wide checks following Taiwan's media reports and AQSIQ's announcements, leading to the removal of approximately 8,700 affected items by September 9 . Wei Chuan and 85 °C Bakery both issued statements declaring that their China-based products were unaffected, though some supermarkets still removed Wei Chuan and Sheng Xiang Zhen-branded products from shelves. Some affected items, however, were still accessible through online channels.
In Xiamen, 4.9 tons of goods containing tainted lard—including Wei Chuan’s pickled mustard greens, “Zhenwei” meat sauces, and Sheng Xiang Zhen’s baked goods—were detected. These products were subsequently recalled and secured. In Guangdong Province, as of September 9, no relevant Taiwanese products had been found at port inspections. On September 10, the Wenzhou Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in Zhejiang seized products from the implicated Wei Wang and Sheng Xiang Zhen companies, specifically Wei Wang's beef stew packets and Sheng Xiang Zhen’s melon seeds. These items were contained and scheduled for return or destruction .
By October 11, Fujian authorities reported that over 9,848 kg of problematic Taiwanese products had been identified, with further recalls underway. In Xiamen alone, 250 tons of affected items were returned. Additionally, after Taiwanese companies like Master Kong, MOS Burger, Want Want, and Wang Steak were implicated in the scandal, they clarified that their mainland China products did not contain tainted oil. Master Kong confirmed that its instant noodles and related products produced and sold in China were free of imported Taiwanese ingredients, adhering strictly to Chinese food safety standards .
Guofu Longfeng Food Co. in Shanghai stated that its cabbage dumplings were not distributed in mainland China, and clarified that while similarly named, Qishan Longfeng in Taiwan operates independently of the mainland-based Guofu Longfeng, which was acquired by Sanquan Foods in 2013.
On October 9, Alibaba Group announced it would use automated and manual checks to remove questionable items from its platforms, but reports indicated that some affected products remained on Alibaba and Taobao sites .
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Shang Yi Trading Co., the local distributor for Master Kong products, decided to pull instant noodle products containing lard, including “Stewed Scallion and Braised Pork Rib Soup Noodles,” from shelves. The Malaysian Ministry of Health had earlier announced its intention to investigate the local market for products potentially contaminated with gutter oil, but, as of the latest update, no contaminated products had been found.
Singapore
On the evening of September 18, 2014, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) ordered the recall of six Taiwanese food products, including frozen dumplings from Chimei Food with pork, vegetarian, and leek fillings, as well as three types of cookies from Sheng Xiang Zhen.
Impact Across Different Regions
The gutter oil scandal had a wide impact in Hong Kong and Macau. According to the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety and the Municipal Affairs Bureau's Food Safety Center, dozens of businesses, including Maxim's Group, Dah Chong Hong, and over 20 well-known bakery shops in Macau, were affected by the contaminated oil supply.
In Toronto’s Chinese community, some Hong Kong immigrants expressed concerns, saying that previously they avoided mainland Chinese food, but now they are hesitant to buy Taiwanese products as well. One Taiwanese immigrant mentioned that repeated food safety issues in Taiwan had caused her to lose confidence in Taiwanese food products. She now plans to only purchase food from South Korea or mainstream local supermarkets. While mainstream media in Toronto has not yet reported on the gutter oil scandal, Chinese-language media has extensively covered the issue, leading to panic among the local Chinese community.
For Germany, the food safety scandal in Taiwan was unimaginable. The federal states are responsible for executing food control and inspection mechanisms, and the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) assists with coordination. Food samples are tested by state laboratories, with each state testing about 400,000 food items annually. Businesses are required to keep detailed records of the raw materials they use, including their sources, for inspection purposes. Germany also has a strong consumer reporting system in place.
Mainstream American media outlets such as Time Magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The New York Times reported on the food safety scandal in Taiwan.
On September 10, Chen Shanguo, vice-chairman of the Taiwan Tourism Quality Assurance Association, estimated that the number of Chinese mainland tourists would drop by 20% due to the scandal. At the "Nanjing Taiwan Famous Products Fair" on September 19, staff claimed that no gutter oil products were present.
On September 11, the Deputy Director-General of Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, Xu Mingneng, confirmed that Taiwan had exported low-quality pig oil products from four manufacturers in 14 different varieties to 12 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, the U.S., Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, and Vietnam.
On September 13, Taiwan's market for homemade lard surged as people began to make their own lard again. Wholesale prices for pig lard jumped from NT$25 (approximately HK$6.4) per 600g before the scandal to NT$40 (approximately HK$10.3), with retail prices reaching NT$65 (approximately HK$16.7) per 600g.
On September 14, Chinese media outlet Fazhi Evening News reported that the stock prices of four affected listed companies, including Wei Chuan and Maxim's, had dropped by more than 1.4 billion RMB (or 7 billion NTD) in just four trading days.
The Philippines Food and Drug Administration and Singapore's Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority both responded to the issue and took precautionary measures.
On September 17, regarding Hong Kong's export of contaminated oil to Taiwan that led to the "gutter oil" scandal, it was noted that while strict regulations govern the import of edible oil, there has been no regulation on the export of edible oil. Hong Kong authorities plan to legislate and regulate food oil safety and waste oil recycling.
Waste Oil Inspection Announcement
On September 8, 2014, the Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the inspection results for "low-quality lard"
Examination Items
Whether the oil is rancid or hydrolyzed:
Acid value
Total polar materials
Benzopyrene
Heavy metals: arsenic, lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, tin, chromium (to determine if leather waste materials were used)
Aflatoxins
Examination of animal-derived ingredients to check for non-pig ingredients
Appearance and odor
Waste cooking oil, after undergoing high-level processing and refining, is transformed into a final product that appears and smells identical to regular edible oil. Typical testing methods cannot distinguish it from standard, qualified oils.
Results
The inspection results for Hu Xinde recycled oil and ingredients from Chuang Guan (强冠) processing plant showed the following:
Acid Value exceeded the standard by 1.3 mg KOH/g, indicating that the oil is not fresh and has undergone hydrolysis and rancidity.
Benzo(a)pyrene levels exceeded the normal standard by 2 ppb, which is three times higher than the EU and Taiwan standard (>6 ppb). This is an indicator of repeatedly fried waste oil.
Other items tested met the standard.
Commentary
Criminal Offenses
Arrests Related to the Oil Scandal
Pingtung, Kaohsiung
On September 4, the Southern Taiwan Criminal Investigation Center and the Environmental Protection Administration's Southern Regional Unit uncovered a case involving low-quality cooking oil. The investigation revealed that waste materials from pig skins, as well as by-products from chicken and duck processing, were sold to underground factories for illegal oil production. This criminal network involved approximately 10 factories, which violated various articles of the Waste Disposal Act (Articles 31, 39, 41, and 46), with fines ranging from 6,000 to 60,000 NTD. The underground factory involved violated Articles 41 and 46 of the Waste Disposal Act, and also faced criminal charges, which could result in a prison sentence of 1 to 5 years. The suspects were also charged with document forgery, fraud, and other criminal offenses, with the investigation being handled by the prosecutor's office in accordance with the law.
Hong Kong Investigation and Arrests
On September 10, Dr. Ho Yuk Yin, an advisor to Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety, revealed that local company Kam Po Yuen Trading had exported 87.7 tons of non-edible pig fat to Taiwan from the Strong Crown Enterprise Company in Taiwan. This non-edible "feed oil," which is meant for animal consumption only, was falsely labeled as "edible oil for human consumption," thus involving criminal activities. Kam Po Yuen received the oil under the name of "Ho Xing Company," which clearly stated on the sales receipt that it was "feed oil" for animal use only. However, the documents presented by Kam Po Yuen misleadingly claimed that the oil could be used as "margarine or cooking oil, with no contamination, suitable for human consumption." Dr. Ho emphasized that the oil was directly shipped from Taiwan to Hong Kong with assistance from Ho Xing.
On the afternoon of September 10, Prosecutor Li Zhongren from the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office led a search at Strong Crown Company, in cooperation with the Kaohsiung Health Bureau. However, the details regarding the verification of the imported oil from Taiwan to Hong Kong remained under "confidential investigation."
On September 12, the Hong Kong Police Force arrested two men in connection with the export of the tainted pig fat to Taiwan. The suspects, a 59-year-old man surnamed Su and a 64-year-old man surnamed Cheung, are accused of conspiracy to commit fraud. The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr. Ko Wing-man, described the incident as severely damaging Hong Kong's reputation. Early in the morning, the Hong Kong police's Organized Crime and Triad Bureau launched raids in five districts: Yuen Long, Tai Kok Tsui, Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, and Tuen Mun. They investigated the pig fat factory, notary offices, and trading companies, seizing oil samples, computers, and boxes of documents. Three individuals were arrested, including a director of the trading company Kam Po Yuen, a notary from the "Ying Wai Notary Office," and a secretary, all suspected of conspiracy to commit fraud and using forged documents.
Guo Liecheng, Ye Wenxiang, and Strong Crown Case
On September 13, Ye Wenxiang, the chairman of Strong Crown Enterprise, was detained by the court after a ruling at midnight.
On October 1, the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office questioned Guo Liecheng, showing him the inspection report of the substandard edible oil. Guo admitted to purchasing animal carcass oil, waste oil, recycled oil, and leather oil, which he mixed together and sold to Strong Crown Company. The prosecution also questioned Strong Crown's chairman, Ye Wenxiang, but Ye denied any knowledge of the situation, placing the responsibility for the domestic oil procurement entirely on the company’s vice president, Dai Qichuan. Both Ye and Dai were detained after their questioning.
Xin Hao Enterprise
Wu Ronghe, the head of Xin Hao Enterprise Co., Ltd., was detained in the early hours of October 8. He was arrested after being found by investigators to have been mixing "feed-grade oil" with "edible pig oil" since 2012, and then processing it into refined oils which were sold to Zhengyi Co., Ltd. Several products from "Zhengyi Oils" were found to be contaminated.
The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau's Tainan City Office discovered that Wu Ronghe founded Xin Hao Enterprise, but the company had almost no employees, with only one or two temporary salespersons occasionally working for it. Xin Hao operated as a wholesale distributor. The sources of the oils they used were highly complex, with at least four types of oils coming from more than seven different locations or companies. Feed-grade oil was just one type; other sources included palm oil, animal-vegetable mixed oils, and waste edible oils.
Ting Hsin Group and Oil Scandal-Related Defendants
On October 12, 2024, the Changhua District Court ordered the detention of three individuals involved in the oil scandal: Chang Mei-feng, former general manager of Ting Hsin Group; Tsai Jun-yong, quality assurance team leader at the Pingtung factory; and Yang Zhen-yi, head of the Da Xing Fu company (a supplier of feed-grade oil to Ting Hsin).
On the same day, the Chiayi District Court ruled to detain Chiu Li-pin, the person responsible for Jiufeng Oil Factory (sister of Chiu Feilong), and Tsai Zhen-zhou, head of Yong Cheng Materials. Additionally, the Kaohsiung District Court also ordered the detention of Lin Ming-zhong. Prosecutors and police have determined that Wei Ying-chung is at least involved in fraud and violations of the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act and Accounting Act. He is expected to be summoned for questioning.
On October 17, the Changhua District Court ruled to detain Wei Ying-chung and Zeng Qi-ming, factory manager at the Ting Hsin Pingtung factory. Both were transferred to the Changhua Detention Center.
North Sea Oil Products (Tainan, Taiwan)
On November 3, 2024, the Tainan District Prosecutors Office uncovered an illegal operation involving North Sea Oil Products (owned by Lu Qing-xie and his wife Lu Huang-lihua, with involvement from another company, Xie Qing Company, which used invoices for tax evasion). They were found to be mixing non-food-grade oils and feed-grade oils into edible oils, which were then refined into edible pig oil (totaling 1,275 tons and 472 kilograms).
Both Lu Qing-xie and Lu Huang-lihua were arrested on October 18 and October 30, respectively. The Tainan City Health Bureau has confirmed that all related oil products from North Sea Oil have been fully recalled from the market.
Administrative Penalties
Administrative Fines
On September 18, Pingtung County Health Bureau imposed a fine of NT$48 million on Guo Liecheng for selling spoiled oil. The fine was calculated based on the 240 tons of kitchen waste oil and re-used cooking oil involved, applying the highest penalty rate of 10 times the value, calculated at NT$20 per kilogram of market price. The administrative penalty notice was delivered to the detention center for Guo Liecheng. The collection period is 10 years, and whistleblowers are eligible for a reward of NT$400,000. However, due to the principle of no double punishment for the same offense, the final fine amount will depend on the outcome of the criminal court's final ruling.
On October 9, Yunlin County Health Bureau transferred the case of Jin Hong Trading's illegal sale of "feed-grade oil" to Xin Hao Enterprises to the prosecutors for investigation. The company could be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million for violating the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act.
Public Official Disciplinary Actions
On October 3, the Executive Yuan announced the reassignment of the Director-General of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Yeh Ming-Kong, who was replaced by Deputy Director-General Chiang Yu-Mei. The Director of the Environmental Protection Administration's Waste Management Department, Wu Tian-Ji, voluntarily requested to be reassigned to a different position, and the department head position was taken over by Deputy Director Lai Ying-Ying. The Industrial Development Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs issued a written warning to the officer in charge of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) operations, Hong Hui-Song.
On October 3, 2014, Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare, Chiu Wen-Tai, resigned from his position due to the incident, taking political responsibility. The new Minister of Health and Welfare, Chiang Bing-Huang, succeeded him.
Whistleblower Rewards
An elderly farmer in Pingtung, who had repeatedly gathered evidence and reported the case locally without success, traveled to Taichung City Police Department to file a report. With the assistance of the police, an investigation was launched, leading to the uncovering of the low-quality pig oil incident. On September 17, 2014, Executive Yuan Premier Jiang Yi-Hua announced a reward of NT$2 million for the whistleblower.
Mr. A from Tainan reported illegal waste oil recycling operators, indirectly contributing to the investigation and busting of black-hearted manufacturers like Xin Hao and Zheng Yi, involved in producing harmful oils. On October 20, 2014, Premier Jiang Yi-Hua announced a reward of NT$500,000 for Mr. A.
The NT$2 million reward for the Pingtung farmer was still pending as of October 20, 2014, due to administrative procedures, which was a minor downside to the otherwise positive outcome.
The Ministry of Civil Service announced that the Pingtung County Health Bureau was selected for the 2014 (Year 103) "Outstanding Contribution Award for Public Servants," and a ceremony to present the award was held in early December by the Examination Yuan.
Prosecution and Sentencing
Datong Adulterated Oil Incident
On October 16, 2013, the Datong Food safety incidents in Taiwan broke out. On July 24, 2014, the criminal case was finalized in the second trial, sentencing Datong Company owner Gao Zhenli to 12 years in prison.
Chang Guann Gutter Oil Case
On October 3, 2014, the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office concluded the investigation into the gutter oil case and indicted eight individuals, including the main suspect Guo Liecheng, his driver and sales associate Shi Minyu, Jinwei owner Su Qinghuang, his wife Guo Chunye, their son Su Jinwei, Dacheng Feed Company Plant Manager Huang Huiguang, as well as Chang Guann Chairman Yeh Wen-Hsiang and Vice President of Procurement Tai Qichuan. The charges were brought under the Food Safety and Sanitation Act.
Four individuals—Yeh Wen-Hsiang, Tai Qichuan, Guo Liecheng, and Shi Minyu—were also charged with joint fraud, involving the sale of products to 235 downstream businesses. According to Article 339 of the Criminal Code, prosecutors recommended enhanced sentences of 1–7 years for their offenses.
On July 24, 2015, the Pingtung District Court sentenced Chang Guann Chairman Yeh Wen-Hsiang and Tai Qichuan to 20 years in prison, along with fines of NT$50 million. Guo Liecheng was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months for illegal possession of ammunition and weapons, with an additional fine of NT$50,000. For violations of the Food Safety and Sanitation Act, he was sentenced to 12 years. Shi Minyu was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
On September 13, 2017, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s (Kaohsiung Branch) decision, increasing the sentences for Chang Guann executives. Yeh Wen-Hsiang was sentenced to 22 years, including 5 years convertible to fines, for violating the Food Safety and Sanitation Act and aggravated fraud across 285 counts. Tai Qichuan’s sentence was adjusted to 18 years, with 4 years convertible to fines. The case was thereby finalized. Chang Guann Company was fined NT$120 million, while criminal profits of over NT$81.5 million were confiscated. As for other defendants, including underground oil vendor Guo Yingzhi (formerly known as Guo Liecheng) and Shi Minyu, parts of their cases were overturned and remanded to the High Court (Kaohsiung Branch) for retrial and further investigation.
Yongcheng-Jiufeng Lard Scandal
In July 2015, the Chiayi District Court ruled on the Yongcheng-Jiufeng lard case, sentencing under a "one crime, one punishment" principle. Yongcheng Oil Company was fined NT$75 million for six offenses, Yongcheng Material Company was fined NT$55 million for six offenses, and Jiufeng Company was fined between NT$1.5 million and NT$2 million per offense across six counts. Additionally, Yongcheng General Manager Cai Zhenzhou was sentenced to 15 years in prison (with a fine of NT$28 million), Deputy General Manager Cai Yaohong to 8 years in prison, Jiufeng Company owner Qiu Feilong to 10 years in prison (with a fine of NT$4.5 million), and factory operator Qiu Lipin (Qiu Feilong’s sister) to 9 years in prison.
References
Scandals in Taiwan
2014 in Taiwan
Food safety scandals
Food safety in Taiwan
2014 scandals
Oils | 2014 Taiwanese Adulterated Oil Scandal | [
"Chemistry"
] | 7,391 | [
"Oils",
"Carbohydrates"
] |
78,131,670 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium%20hexachlororhodate%28III%29 | Ammonium hexachlororhodate(III) is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula .
Synthesis
Evaporation of solutions of rhodium trichloride and excess ammonium chloride:
Physical properties
The compound forms red crystals. Slightly soluble in water.
Chemical properties
The compound undergoes partial hydrolysis in dilute aqueous solutions:
Uses
Ammonium hexachlororhodate(III) hydrate is a raw material and intermediate used in organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.
References
Rhodium(III) compounds
Chloro complexes
Ammonium compounds
Chlorometallates | Ammonium hexachlororhodate(III) | [
"Chemistry"
] | 127 | [
"Ammonium compounds",
"Salts"
] |
78,132,813 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%20Diversity%20Foundation | The Human Diversity Foundation (HDF) is a far-right company founded in 2022 to publish "race science" through the Aporia Magazine and Mankind Quarterly. It also publishes Edward Dutton's The Jolly Heretic podcast. Key persons of the HDF including its founder support remigration and white nationalism.
History
The Human Diversity Foundation was founded by Emil Kirkegaard, a Danish far-right activist under his legal name William Engman in 2022. It was registered as a limited liability company in Wyoming. The other HDF leaders are Matthew Frost, a British former teacher and founder of the Aporia Magazine, and Erik Ahrens, a German white nationalist and social media advisor for the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The Human Diversity Foundation is a rebrand of the Pioneer Fund. According to Matthew Frost, assets from the Pioneer Fund were given to Emil Kirkegaard which were used for the HDF.
Emil Kirkegaard leads an "underground research wing" of the HDF consisting of about 10 researchers. Members of the HDF research team include Bryan Pesta, Bo Winegard and Davide Piffer. Pesta who had received money from the Pioneer Fund was dismissed from his position at Cleveland State University in 2022 for misusing genetic data in his research. Piffer's writing about race and intelligence was cited by Payton Gendron, perpetrator of the 2022 Buffalo shooting. Another employee of HDF is Edward Dutton, a former editor-in-chief of Mankind Quarterly and racist YouTuber who promotes eugenics. HDF has directly funded a research paper authored by Russell T. Warne.
In October 2024, the Guardian revealed that Andrew Conru, an American businessman, had donated more than $1 million to HDF. According to their reporting, "After being approached by the Guardian, Conru pulled his support, saying the group appeared to have deviated from its original mission of 'non-partisan academic research'."
As of October 2024, their website consists solely of this statement: "We are a non-profit organization which specializes in researching human diversity. We are not looking for more funding at this time."
Neo Byzantium
HDF plans to create a private far-right club called Neo Byzantium to obtain income. Membership starts at £650 and rises to £5,000. It was to be led by Erik Ahrens and Matthew Frost.
UK Biobank controversy
In October 2024, journalists from The Guardian reported that Emil Kirkegaard and HDF had accessed UK Biobank data. Hidden camera footage revealed Matthew Frost in 2023 claiming that "they’ve managed to get access to the UK Biobank,” and to know more "talk to Emil". In response, a UK Biobank representative commented that they have "continued to monitor and prevent attempts to access the resource by Kirkegaard and other researchers believed to be connected with him". The representative also commented that HDF are "not bona fide researchers".
Publications
Aporia Magazine
HDF operates the online magazine Aporia as a scientific racism outlet. Matthew Frost founded Aporia in 2021 and sold it to Emil Kirkegaard. Frost has stated that the magazine should be read "by the elite, people aspiring to the elite".
Diana Fleischman is its podcast host. She attended the 2023 Natal Conference with members of the New Right. Bo Winegard, Aporia’s executive editor has stated that he believes racial stereotypes are "reasonably accurate" and has requested that his readers embrace "white identity politics". Winegard was dismissed from his position at Marietta College. In 2020, Winegard published a retracted paper which drew on Richard Lynn’s flawed IQ data. Winegard's race and intelligence research was criticized for resembling pseudoscience.
Noah Carl, editor of Aporia, was sacked from the University of Cambridge over allegations that he had collaborated with far-right extremists.
White nationalist Jared Taylor, appeared on the Aporia podcast in 2024 to complain about multiracial societies. He commented that "there is no possibility of blacks and whites living peacefully together".
Mankind Quarterly
HDF have stated that they own Mankind Quarterly. It has been described as a "pseudo-scholarly outlet for promoting racial inequality".
The Jolly Heretic
HDF publishes Edward Dutton's The Jolly Heretic podcast and Substack. Dutton is reported to be on the HDF payroll at approximately $40,000 per year. In November 2023, The Jolly Heretic earned $62,400 in annual revenue which was put into the HDF. The podcast includes documentaries and interviews from Dutton. In May 2024, Dutton released 1492, a documentary about Muslim rule in medieval Europe. For paid subscribers, the full documentary can be viewed on Substack. In the documentary Dutton compares the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the 700s to contemporary Muslim immigration to Europe.
Far-right activism
Covertly recorded members of the HDF plan to create a white-only ethnostate by forcibly expelling non-ethnically European minorities, a tactic they describe as "remigration". This term has become a popular euphemism in recent years among far-right political groups in Germany and Austria to refer to the mass deportation of minorities. Frost has stated that Alternative for Germany's key policy should be remigration if the party were to take power. Kirkegaard has suggested that families that have settled for two or three generations should be paid to leave.
Erik Ahrens, a HDF leader, has defended the Waffen-SS and has stated that he wants to create a home for "white, Christian people", as he believes they are under threat from immigration. Ahrens has commented that "[his] vision is to one day run in Germany, in a Trump-like fashion". He went on to say, "It hasn’t been done for 100 years, to run a populist movement centred around a person. I was looking for who can be this, and I probably have to go into that role."
See also
Human Biodiversity Institute
Great replacement conspiracy theory
White genocide conspiracy theory
Similar publications
American Renaissance (magazine)
The Occidental Quarterly
The Unz Review
VDARE
References
Alt-right organizations
Anti-immigration politics in Europe
Organizations established in 2022
Proponents of scientific racism
Race and intelligence controversy
Scientific racism
White nationalism in Europe
White nationalism in the United States | Human Diversity Foundation | [
"Biology"
] | 1,319 | [
"Biology theories",
"Obsolete biology theories",
"Scientific racism"
] |
78,133,400 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica%20Rudge%20Green%20Prize%20in%20Urban%20Design | The Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design is a biannual award that acknowledges remarkable urban design projects that include multiple buildings or an open space, improve the quality of urban life, and have a humane and beneficial impact. It is awarded by Harvard University's Graduate School of Design (Mass., U.S.A.) and was founded in 1986 to mark the 350th anniversary of Harvard University and the 50th anniversary of the Graduate School of Design.
The award has been cited as the world's most important for urban planning.
It comes with a prize of $50,000 (in 2017).
Among its unique particularities, is that its jury members visit finalist projects in person.
Recipient projects
2023: Grand Paris Express (Paris, France). Société du Grand Paris
2017: High Line (New York City, New York). Friends of the High Line, designed by James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf
2015: Madrid Río (Madrid, Spain). Ginés Garrido (of Burgos & Garrido), Porras La Casta, Rubio & Álvarez-Sala, and West 8
2013:
Metro do Porto (Porto, Portugal). Eduardo Souto de Moura with the Metro do Porto
Northeastern Urban Integration Project (Medellín, Colombia). City of Medellín with Alejandro Echeverri and the Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano agency
2010: Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project (Seoul, South Korea). Seoul Metropolitan Government
2007: Olympic Sculpture Park (Seattle, Washington). Weiss/Manfredi
2005: Rehabilitation of the Old City of Aleppo (Aleppo, Syria). City of Aleppo
2002: Borneo Sporenburg Residential Waterfront (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Adriaan Geuze/West 8
2000: Favela-Bairro Project (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Jorge Mario Jáuregui
1998:
Bilbao Metro (Bilbao, Spain). Foster and Partners
Carré d'Art (Nîmes, France). Foster and Partners
1996:
Historic Center (Mexico City, Mexico)
Xochimilco District (Mexico City, Mexico). Mexico City
1993:
Hillside Terrace Complex (Tokyo, Japan). Fumihiko Maki
Monte Carasso Master Plan (Monte Carasso, Switzerland). Luigi Snozzi
1990: Urban Public Spaces (Barcelona, Spain). City of Barcelona
1988:
Byker Redevelopment (Newcastle, England). Ralph Erskine
Malagueira Quarter Housing Project (Évora, Portugal). Álvaro Siza Vieira
References
Architecture awards | Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design | [
"Engineering"
] | 533 | [
"Architecture stubs",
"Architecture"
] |
78,133,783 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PKS%200405%E2%80%93385 | PKS 0405–385 is a blazar in the constellation of Eridanus. This is a compact radio quasar with a redshift (z) of 1.285, an indicator of its significant distance. The radio spectrum of this source appears flat, making it a flat-spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ).
Description
The visible light spectrum of PKS 0405–385 displays strong, broad emission lines, with an intermediate absorption occurring at a redshift of 0.875. Examination using VLBI shows the radio source spans less than five microarcseconds (μas) in angle. In 1993, this quasar was found to undergo variation in radio flux density during time spans of less than an hour. This variability is intermittent during episodes lasting for weeks or months. The radio flux was also found to vary on longer timescales for periods of a month or two.
If the short-term variation were due to the quasar, it would imply an extreme brightness temperature of about 1021 K. Instead, it was proposed that the variation was the result of interstellar scintillation due to ionized clouds in the Milky Way. The radio emission from the quasar underwent rotation of linear polarization during these events, lending support to the idea of scintillation. A scattering medium at a distance of would explain these observations, bringing the modelled peak brightness temperature down to a more plausible . The episodic nature of the rapid variations may be explained by changes in the quasar or the interstellar medium. PKS 0405–385 is one of only three known extreme scintillators, the others being PKS 1257−326 and J1819+385.
In 2022, the gamma ray emission from PKS 0405–385 was found to undergo quasi-periodic oscillation with a period of about 2.8 years. This may be explained by helical motion in a jet originating from the supermassive black hole (SMBH), or the core SMBH is itself a binary system. Enhanced gamma ray activity was observed from this source in 2019 and 2023.
References
Quasars
Eridanus (constellation) | PKS 0405–385 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 458 | [
"Eridanus (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
78,134,079 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial%20intelligence%20engineering | Artificial intelligence engineering (AI engineering) is a technical discipline that focuses on the design, development, and deployment of AI systems. AI engineering involves applying engineering principles and methodologies to create scalable, efficient, and reliable AI-based solutions. It merges aspects of data engineering and software engineering to create real-world applications in diverse domains such as healthcare, finance, autonomous systems, and industrial automation.
Key components
AI engineering integrates a variety of technical domains and practices, all of which are essential to building scalable, reliable, and ethical AI systems.
Data engineering and infrastructure
Data serves as the cornerstone of AI systems, necessitating careful engineering to ensure quality, availability, and usability. AI engineers gather large, diverse datasets from multiple sources such as databases, APIs, and real-time streams. This data undergoes cleaning, normalization, and preprocessing, often facilitated by automated data pipelines that manage extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes.
Efficient storage solutions, such as SQL (or NoSQL) databases and data lakes, must be selected based on data characteristics and use cases. Security measures, including encryption and access controls, are critical for protecting sensitive information and ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR. Scalability is essential, frequently involving cloud services and distributed computing frameworks to handle growing data volumes effectively.
Algorithm selection and optimization
Selecting the appropriate algorithm is crucial for the success of any AI system. Engineers evaluate the problem (which could be classification or regression, for example) to determine the most suitable machine learning algorithm, including deep learning paradigms.
Once an algorithm is chosen, optimizing it through hyperparameter tuning is essential to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Techniques such as grid search or Bayesian optimization are employed, and engineers often utilize parallelization to expedite training processes, particularly for large models and datasets. For existing models, techniques like transfer learning can be applied to adapt pre-trained models for specific tasks, reducing the time and resources needed for training.
Deep learning engineering
Deep learning is particularly important for tasks involving large and complex datasets. Engineers design neural network architectures tailored to specific applications, such as convolutional neural networks for visual tasks or recurrent neural networks for sequence-based tasks. Transfer learning, where pre-trained models are fine-tuned for specific use cases, helps streamline development and often enhances performance.
Optimization for deployment in resource-constrained environments, such as mobile devices, involves techniques like pruning and quantization to minimize model size while maintaining performance. Engineers also mitigate data imbalance through augmentation and synthetic data generation, ensuring robust model performance across various classes.
Natural language processing
Natural language processing (NLP) is a crucial component of AI engineering, focused on enabling machines to understand and generate human language. The process begins with text preprocessing to prepare data for machine learning models. Recent advancements, particularly transformer-based models like BERT and GPT, have greatly improved the ability to understand context in language.
AI engineers work on various NLP tasks, including sentiment analysis, machine translation, and information extraction. These tasks require sophisticated models that utilize attention mechanisms to enhance accuracy. Applications range from virtual assistants and chatbots to more specialized tasks like named-entity recognition (NER) and Part of speech (POS) tagging.
Reasoning and decision-making systems
Developing systems capable of reasoning and decision-making is a significant aspect of AI engineering. Whether starting from scratch or building on existing frameworks, engineers create solutions that operate on data or logical rules. Symbolic AI employs formal logic and predefined rules for inference, while probabilistic reasoning techniques like Bayesian networks help address uncertainty. These models are essential for applications in dynamic environments, such as autonomous vehicles, where real-time decision-making is critical.
Security
Security is a critical consideration in AI engineering, particularly as AI systems become increasingly integrated into sensitive and mission-critical applications. AI engineers implement robust security measures to protect models from adversarial attacks, such as evasion and poisoning, which can compromise system integrity and performance. Techniques such as adversarial training, where models are exposed to malicious inputs during development, help harden systems against these attacks.
Additionally, securing the data used to train AI models is of paramount importance. Encryption, secure data storage, and access control mechanisms are employed to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access and breaches. AI systems also require constant monitoring to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities that may arise post-deployment. In high-stakes environments like autonomous systems and healthcare, engineers incorporate redundancy and fail-safe mechanisms to ensure that AI models continue to function correctly in the presence of security threats.
Ethics and compliance
As AI systems increasingly influence societal aspects, ethics and compliance are vital components of AI engineering. Engineers design models to mitigate risks such as data poisoning and ensure that AI systems adhere to legal frameworks, such as data protection regulations like GDPR. Privacy-preserving techniques, including data anonymization and differential privacy, are employed to safeguard personal information and ensure compliance with international standards.
Ethical considerations focus on reducing bias in AI systems, preventing discrimination based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. By developing fair and accountable AI solutions, engineers contribute to the creation of technologies that are both technically sound and socially responsible.
Workload
An AI engineer's workload revolves around the AI system's life cycle, which is a complex, multi-stage process. This process may involve building models from scratch or using pre-existing models through transfer learning, depending on the project's requirements. Each approach presents unique challenges and influences the time, resources, and technical decisions involved.
Problem definition and requirements analysis
Regardless of whether a model is built from scratch or based on a pre-existing model, the work begins with a clear understanding of the problem. The engineer must define the scope, understand the business context, and identify specific AI objectives that align with strategic goals. This stage includes consulting with stakeholders to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational requirements.
When developing a model from scratch, the engineer must also decide which algorithms are most suitable for the task. Conversely, when using a pre-trained model, the workload shifts toward evaluating existing models and selecting the one most aligned with the task. The use of pre-trained models often allows for a more targeted focus on fine-tuning, as opposed to designing an entirely new model architecture.
Data acquisition and preparation
Data acquisition and preparation are critical stages regardless of the development method chosen, as the performance of any AI system relies heavily on high-quality, representative data.
For systems built from scratch, engineers must gather comprehensive datasets that cover all aspects of the problem domain, ensuring enough diversity and representativeness in the data to train the model effectively. This involves cleansing, normalizing, and augmenting the data as needed. Creating data pipelines and addressing issues like imbalanced datasets or missing values are also essential to maintain model integrity during training.
In the case of using pre-existing models, the dataset requirements often differ. Here, engineers focus on obtaining task-specific data that will be used to fine-tune a general model. While the overall data volume may be smaller, it needs to be highly relevant to the specific problem. Pre-existing models, especially those based on transfer learning, typically require fewer data, which accelerates the preparation phase, although data quality remains equally important.
Model design and training
The workload during the model design and training phase depends significantly on whether the engineer is building the model from scratch or fine-tuning an existing one.
When creating a model from scratch, AI engineers must design the entire architecture, selecting or developing algorithms and structures that are suited to the problem. For deep learning models, this might involve designing a neural network with the right number of layers, activation functions, and optimizers. Engineers go through several iterations of testing, adjusting hyperparameters, and refining the architecture. This process can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial computational power and significant time to train the model on large datasets.
For AI systems based on pre-existing models, the focus is more on fine-tuning. Transfer learning allows engineers to take a model that has already been trained on a broad dataset and adapt it for a specific task using a smaller, task-specific dataset. This method dramatically reduces the complexity of the design and training phase. Instead of building the architecture, engineers adjust the final layers and perform hyperparameter tuning. The time and computational resources required are typically lower than training from scratch, as pre-trained models have already learned general features that only need refinement for the new task.
Whether building from scratch or fine-tuning, engineers employ optimization techniques like cross-validation and early stopping to prevent overfitting. In both cases, model training involves running numerous tests to benchmark performance and improve accuracy.
System integration
Once the model is trained, it must be integrated into the broader system, a phase that largely remains the same regardless of how the model was developed. System integration involves connecting the AI model to various software components and ensuring that it can interact with external systems, databases, and user interfaces.
For models developed from scratch, integration may require additional work to ensure that the custom-built architecture aligns with the operational environment, especially if the AI system is designed for specific hardware or edge computing environments. Pre-trained models, by contrast, are often more flexible in terms of deployment since they are built using widely adopted frameworks, which are compatible with most modern infrastructure.
Engineers use containerization tools to package the model and create consistent environments for deployment, ensuring seamless integration across cloud-based or on-premise systems. Whether starting from scratch or using pre-trained models, the integration phase requires ensuring that the model is ready to scale and perform efficiently within the existing infrastructure.
Testing and validation
Testing and validation play a crucial role in both approaches, though the depth and nature of testing might differ slightly. For models built from scratch, more exhaustive functional testing is needed to ensure that the custom-built components of the model function as intended. Stress tests are conducted to evaluate the system under various operational loads, and engineers must validate that the model can handle the specific data types and edge cases of the domain.
For pre-trained models, the focus of testing is on ensuring that fine-tuning has adequately adapted the model to the task. Functional tests validate that the pre-trained model's outputs are accurate for the new context. In both cases, bias assessments, fairness evaluations, and security reviews are critical to ensure ethical AI practices and prevent vulnerabilities, particularly in sensitive applications like finance, healthcare, or autonomous systems.
Explainability is also essential in both workflows, especially when working in regulated industries or with stakeholders who need transparency in AI decision-making processes. Engineers must ensure that the model's predictions can be understood by non-technical users and align with ethical and regulatory standards.
Deployment and monitoring
The deployment stage typically involves the same overarching strategies—whether the model is built from scratch or based on an existing model. However, models built from scratch may require more extensive fine-tuning during deployment to ensure they meet performance requirements in a production environment. For example, engineers might need to optimize memory usage, reduce latency, or adapt the model for edge computing.
When deploying pre-trained models, the workload is generally lighter. Since these models are often already optimized for production environments, engineers can focus on ensuring compatibility with the task-specific data and infrastructure. In both cases, deployment techniques such as phased rollouts, A/B testing, or canary deployments are used to minimize risks and ensure smooth transition into the live environment.
Monitoring, however, is critical in both approaches. Once the AI system is deployed, engineers set up performance monitoring to detect issues like model drift, where the model's accuracy decreases over time as data patterns change. Continuous monitoring helps identify when the model needs retraining or recalibration. For pre-trained models, periodic fine-tuning may suffice to keep the model performing optimally, while models built from scratch may require more extensive updates depending on how the system was designed.
Regular maintenance includes updates to the model, re-validation of fairness and bias checks, and security patches to protect against adversarial attacks.
Machine learning operations (MLOps)
MLOps, or Artificial Intelligence Operations (AIOps), is a critical component in modern AI engineering, integrating machine learning model development with reliable and efficient operations practices. Similar to the DevOps practices in software development, MLOps provides a framework for continuous integration, continuous delivery (CI/CD), and automated monitoring of machine learning models throughout their lifecycle. This practice bridges the gap between data scientists, AI engineers, and IT operations, ensuring that AI models are deployed, monitored, and maintained effectively in production environments.
MLOps is particularly important as AI systems scale to handle more complex tasks and larger datasets. Without robust MLOps practices, models risk underperforming or failing once deployed into production, leading to issues such as downtime, ethical concerns, or loss of stakeholder trust. By establishing automated, scalable workflows, MLOps allows AI engineers to manage the entire lifecycle of machine learning models more efficiently, from development through to deployment and ongoing monitoring.
Additionally, as regulatory frameworks around AI systems continue to evolve, MLOps practices are critical for ensuring compliance with legal requirements, including data privacy regulations and ethical AI guidelines. By incorporating best practices from MLOps, organizations can mitigate risks, maintain high performance, and scale AI solutions responsibly.
Challenges
AI engineering faces a distinctive set of challenges that differentiate it from traditional software development. One of the primary issues is model drift, where AI models degrade in performance over time due to changes in data patterns, necessitating continuous retraining and adaptation. Additionally, data privacy and security are critical concerns, particularly when sensitive data is used in cloud-based models. Ensuring model explainability is another challenge, as complex AI systems must be made interpretable for non-technical stakeholders. Bias and fairness also require careful handling to prevent discrimination and promote equitable outcomes, as biases present in training data can propagate through AI algorithms, leading to unintended results. Addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining technical acumen with ethical and regulatory considerations.
Sustainability
Training large-scale AI models involves processing immense datasets over prolonged periods, consuming considerable amounts of energy. This has raised concerns about the environmental impact of AI technologies, given the expansion of data centers required to support AI training and inference.
The increasing demand for computational power has led to significant electricity consumption, with AI-driven applications often leaving a substantial carbon footprint. In response, AI engineers and researchers are exploring ways to mitigate these effects by developing more energy-efficient algorithms, employing green data centers, and leveraging renewable energy sources. Addressing the sustainability of AI systems is becoming a critical aspect of responsible AI development as the industry continues to scale globally.
Educational pathways
Education in AI engineering typically involves advanced courses in software and data engineering. Key topics include machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing and computer vision. Many universities now offer specialized programs in AI engineering at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including hands-on labs, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary courses that bridge AI theory with engineering practices.
Professional certifications can also supplement formal education. Additionally, hands-on experience with real-world projects, internships, and contributions to open-source AI initiatives are highly recommended to build practical expertise.
References
Artificial intelligence
Engineering disciplines
Artificial intelligence engineering | Artificial intelligence engineering | [
"Engineering"
] | 3,202 | [
"Artificial intelligence engineering",
"Software engineering",
"nan"
] |
78,135,250 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisa%20Facio | Elisa Facio became Uruguay's Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay in November 2023.
Life
Facio attended the University of the Republic where she studied computer engineering. She graduated and then went on to take a master's degree at the same university before she became a computer engineer.
She was the general director of the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining before she became the minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay in November 2023. She joined President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou's Cabinet, replacing Omar Paganini who was promoted to foreign minister. The cabinet reshuffle was required because of the scandal associated with the sudden resignation of Francisco Bustillo.
Facio's responsibilities are in her job title but she is also responsible for intellectial property and the medical use of nuclear technology. She has spoken about the opportunities to develop alternative energy sources including wind, solar, and hydrogen. Uruguay is working in these areas but they have only exploited a small fraction of what is possible. They are hewld back by lack of finance and she sees other countries including those in Europe as potential investors. In November 2023 she went to China.
In May 2024 she was with a large delegation from Uruguay at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam. She explained her ambitionsin support of decarbonisation by 2050. An Innovation Hub program had been established to deliver these ambitions.
In October 2024 she declared amethyst to be Uruguay's national stone. She noted that the country's exports included $60m obtained from amethyst export and the industry created 2,000 jobs.
References
Living people
Uruguayan politicians
Uruguayan computer scientists
Software engineers
Government ministers of Uruguay
Year of birth missing (living people) | Elisa Facio | [
"Engineering"
] | 350 | [
"Software engineering",
"Software engineers"
] |
78,135,960 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic%20direct%20sound%20printing | Holographic direct sound printing (HDSP) is a method of 3D printing which use acoustic holograms, developed by researchers at Concordia University.
Researchers claim that the printing process can be carried out 20 times faster and that it presents the advantages that an object can be created at once and several objects can be created at the same time. According to researchers, it can be used to print inside opaque surfaces, for example inside the human body, thus opening new opportunities in medicine.
It is based on Direct Sound Printing method, introduced in 2022.
A similar method, to print 3D objects using ultrasound holograms, based on acoustic trapping, was proposed by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and Heidelberg University, in February 2023.
See also
Acoustic tweezers
References
3D printing
3D imaging
Biotechnology
Holography
Technology development | Holographic direct sound printing | [
"Biology"
] | 169 | [
"nan",
"Biotechnology"
] |
78,136,076 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinocylindra | Sinocylindra is an extinct genus of macroalgae that existed between the Ediacaran and Middle Cambrian periods. It is a part of the Chengjiang biota in the Maotianshan Shales in Yunnan, China. Only two species, S. yunnanensis and S. linearis, are described.
Species
Sinocylindra yunnanensis was a cylindrical macroalgae 0.2-0.35 mm wide, that could reach up to 20-40 mm long. Its surface is smooth, and it was likely flexible, as specimens have been found coiled and curved. It was previously thought by some that S. yunnanensis might be a prokaryotic species in the Siphonophycus genus, however due to elements of its morphology such as the size and length of the species, it was determined to most likely be a eukaryotic algae of a previously unknown genus. S. yunnanensis lived roughly between 635-516 million years ago.
Sinocylindra linearis, like yunnanensis, was cylindrical in shape, with a diameter ranging from 0.3-2.0mm, and a length of 5.0-50 mm. It was probably firmer and less flexible than yunnanensis as some specimens found were almost completely straight.
Discovery
Sinocylindra yunnanensis was first described in 1991, found in the Upper Doushantuo shales at Chengjiang, in the Chinese province of Yunnan. Since its discovery, a number of fossils across Southern China have been found, as well as a specimen in the Drumian Marjum formation in Utah, United States.
Sinocylindra linearis was described by researchers in 2017 after being found in the Ediacaran Miaohe member in southern China, where one hundred and twenty-eight specimens were found. The name linearis was given due to the straight, rigid nature of the species.
See also
List of Chengjiang Biota species by phylum
References
Works cited
Maotianshan shales fossils
Ediacaran Asia
Ediacaran life
Fossil taxa described in 1991
Chlorophyta
Fossil algae
Chlorophyta genera | Sinocylindra | [
"Biology"
] | 434 | [
"Fossil algae",
"Algae"
] |
78,136,945 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer%20exodus%20hypothesis | The cancer exodus hypothesis establishes that circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) maintain their multicellular structure throughout the metastatic process. It was previously thought that these clusters must dissociate into single cells during metastasis. According to the hypothesis, CTC clusters intravasate (enter the bloodstream), travel through circulation as a cohesive unit, and extravasate (exit the bloodstream) at distant sites without disaggregating, significantly enhancing their metastatic potential. This concept is considered a key advancement in understanding of cancer biology and CTCs role in cancer metastasis.
Mechanism
Traditionally, it was believed that CTC clusters needed to dissociate into individual cells during their journey through the bloodstream to seed secondary tumors. However, recent studies show that CTC clusters can travel through the bloodstream intact, enabling them to perform every step of metastasis while maintaining their group/cluster structure.
The cancer exodus hypothesis asserts that CTC clusters have several distinct advantages that increase their metastatic potential:
Higher metastatic efficiency: CTC clusters have been shown to possess superior seeding capabilities at distant sites compared to single CTCs.
Survival and proliferation: The collective nature of CTC clusters allows them to share resources and offer intercellular support, improving their overall survival rates in the bloodstream.
Resistance to treatment: CTC clusters exhibit unique gene expression profiles that contribute to their ability to evade certain cancer therapies, making them more resistant than individual tumor cells.
Clinical relevance
The cancer exodus hypothesis offers important insights into how metastasis occurs and highlights the significance of CTC clusters in cancer progression. Detecting and analyzing CTC clusters through liquid biopsies could offer valuable information about the aggressiveness and metastatic potential of cancers. This information is particularly useful for identifying patients who may benefit from more aggressive treatment strategies.
Characterization
The hypothesis was developed due to several key studies, which have demonstrated the ability of CTC clusters to:
Intravasate and travel as clusters: Research has shown that CTC clusters can enter the bloodstream as a group, travel through the circulatory system intact, and maintain their cluster phenotype during transit.
Extravasate through angiopellosis: A key finding of the hypothesis is that CTC clusters do not need to disaggregate to exit the bloodstream. Instead, they can undergo a process called angiopellosis, in which entire clusters migrate out of the blood vessels as a group, retaining their multicellular form.
These findings underscore the critical role of CTC clusters in driving the metastatic cascade and suggest that CTC clusters could serve as important biomarkers in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. Additionally, understanding the mechanisms that allow CTC clusters to retain their structure and survive in circulation opens new avenues for targeted cancer therapies designed to disrupt this process.
Future directions
As research into the cancer exodus hypothesis progresses, new therapeutic strategies could emerge to specifically target CTC clusters. Blocking their formation, disrupting their cohesion, or preventing their ability to survive in the bloodstream could offer new ways to prevent metastasis in aggressive cancers. Continued studies will be essential to further elucidate the biological pathways involved in CTC cluster-mediated metastasis and develop potential treatment interventions.
References
Cancer pathology
Oncology
Biology
Medicine | Cancer exodus hypothesis | [
"Biology"
] | 677 | [
"Medicine"
] |
78,136,994 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canfosfamide | Canfosfamide (development code TLK286) an investigational anticancer drug that has been evaluated for its potential efficacy in treating a variety of solid tumors. TLK286 functions as a prodrug activated by the enzyme glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GST P1-1), which is often overexpressed in cancer cells, leading to selective cytotoxicity towards tumor cells compared to normal cells.
Mechanism of action
Canfosfamide is specifically activated in the presence of elevated GST P1-1, which is commonly found in various cancer types. Upon activation, it is converted into an alkylating agent that induces DNA damage, leading to apoptosis in cancer cells.
Clinical trials
Phase I clinical trials evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of canfosfamide. Phase II trials evaluated clinical activity in various tumor types, especially ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Phase III trials focused on its efficacy as part of combination therapy, particularly with standard chemotherapeutic agents. However, the trials did not demonstrate significant improvement in overall survival when compared to standard treatments alone.
References
Experimental cancer drugs
Nitrogen mustards
Phosphoramides
Amino acid derivatives
Dicarboxylic acids
Carboxamides
Sulfones | Canfosfamide | [
"Chemistry"
] | 283 | [
"Sulfones",
"Functional groups"
] |
78,138,127 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruylants%20reaction | In organic chemistry, the Bruylants reaction (sometimes misspelled Bruylant) is a substitution reaction in which a Grignard reagent replaces a nitrile on a carbon that also has an amino group. It is useful for synthesizing phenylcyclidine and related dissociative anesthetics.
Unlike a traditional Grignard reaction where the nucleophile attacks the nitrile carbon, here the nitrile itself is lost as a leaving group. The reaction is named for Pierre Bruylants (1855–1950), who first reported it in 1924.
The reaction mechanism appears to involve ejection of the nitrile to form an iminium that is then attacked by the Grignard rather than a direct displacement such as an SN2 reaction. This accounts for the importance of the alpha amino group and the absence of stereoselectivity on chiral reaction sites.
Modifications
1,2,3-Triazole and related heterocycles have been used as safer alternatives to the nitrile, as they avoid the typical use of cyanide to form the nitrile.
Organolithium reagents can be used instead of the magesium-halide Grignard reagents, though they are more prone than Grignards to attack the nitrile itself.
References
Name reactions
Organometallic chemistry
Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions
Substitution reactions
Nitriles | Bruylants reaction | [
"Chemistry"
] | 304 | [
"Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions",
"Nitriles",
"Functional groups",
"Organic reactions",
"Name reactions",
"Chemical reaction stubs",
"Organometallic chemistry"
] |
78,138,279 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD%2043162 | HD 43162 is a star system consisting of a young solar analog star orbited by a pair of red dwarfs and another solitary red dwarf farther away. It is located about away in the southern constellation of Canis Major, making it one of the closest quadruple star systems. With an apparent magnitude of 6.366, it is barely visible to the naked eye under dark skies far from city lights.
In 1999, Giuseppe Cutispoto et al. announced their discovery that HD 43162 is a variable star. It was given its variable star designation, V352 Canis Majoris (often abbreviated to V352 CMa), in 2006.
HD 43162 A
HD 43162 A, often simply HD 43162, is an active G-type main sequence star with the spectral type G6.5V. It is a BY Draconis variable with a long brightness cycle lasting years. Though estimates on the star's age vary substantially, the star is likely young based on the strong calcium H and K emission lines (wavelengths 3968.469 Å and 3933.663 Å), high X-ray luminosity, rapid rotation, and its richness in lithium, though its metallicity ([Fe/H]) does not match the star's young age. The metallicity and its motion through space connotes that the star belongs to the young disk population, part of the Milky Way's thin disk.
The star has been noted to be abnormally poor in carbon, with a carbon-oxygen ratio calculated at [C/O]=, despite having typical oxygen and iron abundances for solar-like stars. While oxygen is known to originate in the supernovae of massive stars, the origin of carbon remains unclear, and thus the reason for this anomalous carbon abundance is still unknown.
In 2009, the star became one of eleven stars discovered to be surrounded by debris disks by the Spitzer Space Telescope, alongside planetary hosts such as Gliese 581, HD 40979, and HD 178911, the latter two also multiple star systems. No planets have been discovered around HD 43162 A, however, the only one out of the eleven without known exoplanets.
Photometric data from the Hipparcos catalog indicates that the photometric variability of the star may be caused by an unresolved companion, which, if true, would make this component a binary system (Aa/Ab) itself, which may push the number of stars in the whole system up to five.
HD 43162 Ba/Bb (2MASS J0613−2352 AB)
HD 43162 B, also known as 2MASS J06134539−2352077, was announced to be a co-moving companion to HD 43162 A in 2013, located at a separation of 24 arcseconds (410 AU) from the primary star. This object had been discovered to be a binary during the Astralux Large M-Dwarf Multiplicity Survey in 2012, and the two components have been determined to be red dwarfs.
The larger of the pair (2MASS J0613−2352A) has a spectral type of M3.5 and a temperature of 3,265 K, while the smaller (B) has the spectral type M5.0 and a temperature of 3,180 K. The two stars have a total mass of 0.57 or 0.42 , with a mass ratio of 0.63:0.37. They orbit each other with a period of 13 years at a distance of AU or AU, in a high eccentric orbit (eccentricity or ). Due to the possible presence of missing mass, potential remains for the existence of another unseen body within the system.
They are likely part of the Argus Association, which places their age at .
HD 43162 C
In 2010, the red dwarf 2MASS J06134717−2354250 was found to be a co-moving companion to HD 43162 A and was initially designated HD 43162 B, before it was re-designated HD 43162 C in 2013. It is situated 164 arcseconds away from the primary, which corresponds to a distance of 2,740 AU. It is a coronally active flare star with a spectral type of dM3.5e.
In 2003, before its physical association with the HD 43162 system was confirmed, the star was reported to have undergone a massive stellar flare, during which a 200-fold increase occurred in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) flux. This translates to a total energy of about ergs released in the 60–200 Å wavelength band, which is as energetic as the largest EUV flare that had been observed at the time, seen on AU Microscopii in July 1992.
See also
HD 53680, HD 53705, and HD 53706: another quadruple system at a similar distance from Earth
References
3389
043162
029568
2225
Canis Major
G-type main-sequence stars
M-type main-sequence stars
Flare stars
BY Draconis variables
Canis Majoris, V352
J06134528-2351433
4
CD-23 03577 | HD 43162 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 1,092 | [
"Canis Major",
"Constellations"
] |
78,138,710 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium%20hexachloroosmate%28IV%29 | Ammonium hexachloroosmate(IV) is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula .
Synthesis
Ammonium hexachloroosmate(IV) can be produced by the reduction of osmium(VIII) oxide with iron dichloride in an acidic medium in the presence of ammonium ions:
Physical properties
Ammonium hexachloroosmate(IV) forms dark red crystals of the cubic system, space group Fm3m, cell parameters a = 0.9729 nm, Z = 4.
It is poorly soluble in cold water.
Chemical properties
The compound is reduced by hydrogen to metallic osmium:
Uses
The compound is used as a pharmaceutical, organic, and chemical intermediate.
References
Chloro complexes
Ammonium compounds
Chlorometallates
Osmium compounds | Ammonium hexachloroosmate(IV) | [
"Chemistry"
] | 163 | [
"Ammonium compounds",
"Salts"
] |
78,139,093 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1ES%200229%2B200 | 1ES 0229+200 is a relatively distant BL Lacertae object (BL Lac) located in the constellation of Aries, 1.9 billion light years from Earth. It has a redshift of 0.140, and was discovered by astronomers in 1992 who conducted the Einstein IPC Slew Survey. It belongs to a class of high frequency-peaked BL Lac objects.
Characteristics
1ES 0229+200 has an active galactic nucleus. It is classified either an extreme TeV blazar or an unusual high synchrotron peaked object, exhibiting a high synchrotron peak frequency of vsyn ~ 1019 Hz. It also shows X-ray polarization with a polarization degree found significantly higher, compared to the first IXPE observation on Markarian 501 but similar to the observation conducted on Markarian 421.
1ES 0229+200 contains a hard intrinsic spectrum with a spectral index inside an energy range betwixt ~ 0.5 TeV and ~ 15 TeV. Because of its hard spectrum, the galaxy was used as a primary source to examine extragalactic background light and intergalactic magnetic fields.
The host galaxy of 1ES 0229+200 is a relatively normal elliptical galaxy without any visible galaxy companions within its position. It has a half-light radius estimated re = 3.25 ± 0.07" with a brightness of mhost,R = 15.85 ± 0.01 magnitude. The supermassive black hole in the center of 1ES 0229+220 is 9.38 ± 9.08 Mʘ based on a fundamental plane measurement. However a study paper published in 2005, re-estimated the black hole mass as 8.68 ± 0.13 Mʘ according to a mass-dispersion of (Mʘ −σ) value and a fundamental plane relation.
1ES 0229+200 contains two radio jets, comprising a parsec-scale jet and a kiloparsec-scale jet; the former which it is aligned to. Both of the jets located north and south, are found to be curved towards a west direction and they have position angles of -10° and 180° respectively. There is also a compact radio source that is found unresolved about 100" to the north.
A gamma ray signal has been found at a distance of less than 3° from 1ES 0229+200. Although no clear associations are found relating with the signal, it has a point-like nature and a steep energy spectrum.
References
External links
1ES 0229+200 on SIMBAD
BL Lacertae objects
Aries (constellation)
Blazars
1622767
Active galaxies
Astronomical objects discovered in 1992 | 1ES 0229+200 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 550 | [
"Aries (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
78,139,500 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium%20hexabromostannate%28IV%29 | Ammonium hexabromostannate(IV) is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula .
Synthesis
The compound can be prepared by mixing concentrated solutions of ammonium bromide and tin(IV) bromide in 47% hydrobromic acid.
Physical properties
Ammonium hexabromostannate(IV) forms colorless crystals of cubic system, space group Fm3m. Soluble in water.
References
Tin(IV) compounds
Chloro complexes
Ammonium compounds
Chlorometallates | Ammonium hexabromostannate(IV) | [
"Chemistry"
] | 102 | [
"Ammonium compounds",
"Salts"
] |
78,139,556 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital%20business%20card | A digital business card is an electronic version of the traditional paper business card. It is essentially a digital profile that contains contact information and other relevant details. These cards can be shared electronically, often through QR codes, links, or NFC tags.
Environmental benefits
Every year, over 7 billion business cards are printed worldwide. This equates to 27 million cards being printed each day. The production of these cards requires 12,000 tonnes of paper annually. The short lifespan of business cards contributes significantly to waste, as many are thrown away after a single use, ending up in landfills. Digital business cards offer a sustainable alternative by eliminating the need for physical cards, reducing the environmental impact of business card production and disposal.
Market
The digital business card market is poised for significant expansion, according to a new report by Market Research Future (MRFR). The market is expected to reach a value of USD 6 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.90% during the forecast period (2022–2030).
Benefits
Digital business cards offer a host of advantages over their traditional counterparts:
Eco-friendly: By eliminating the need for paper, digital business cards reduce waste and environmental impact.
Easy to update: Changes to contact information or other details can be updated instantly on the digital card.
Enhanced networking: Digital cards can be easily shared and accessed, making networking more efficient.
Interactive features: Many digital card platforms allow for the inclusion of multimedia elements like videos, links, and social media profiles.
Analytics: Digital cards can provide valuable insights into how a card is being accessed and shared.
Integration with other tools: Digital cards can often be integrated with CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and other business tools.
How to create a digital business card?
You can create your digital business card through a digital business card maker. Here are the steps:
Download any digital business card maker.
Create your profile.
Add necessary information, including your phone number, website and address.
Share your virtual visiting card via QR code or link.
References
Computer networking
Business cards | Digital business card | [
"Technology",
"Engineering"
] | 421 | [
"Computer networking",
"Computer science",
"Computer engineering"
] |
78,139,837 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GRAVITY%20%28Very%20Large%20Telescope%29 | GRAVITY is an instrument on the interferometer of the Very Large Telescope (VLTI). It either combines the light of the four Unit Telescopes (UT) or the smaller four Auxiliary Telescopes. The instrument works with adaptive optics and provides a resolution of 4 milliarcseconds (mas) and can measure the position of astronomical objects down to a few 10 microarcseconds (μas). VLTI GRAVITY has a collecting area of 200 m2 and the angular resolution of a 130 m telescope.
Instrument details
GRAVITY was built by a consortium led by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. Other partner institutes are from France, Germany, Portugal and the European Southern Observatory. The first light images included the discovery that Theta1 Orionis F in the Trapezium Cluster is a binary.
GRAVITY can operate in single-field mode or in dual-field mode. In the dual-field mode it can interfere two astronomical objects at the same time and acquire this way very accurate astrometry. The instrument data can also be used for K-band spectroscopy with tree spectral resolutions. GRAVITY has the following sub-components:
IR wavefront sensing system CIAO (located at the Unit Telescopes) that will work with the MACAO deformable mirror
A polarisation control system to counteract polarisation effects in the VLTI
An active pupil guide system including LED sources mounted on each of the telescope secondary mirror support (spiders)
A field-guide system to track the position of the source
The Beam Combining Instrument (BCI)
The Beam Combining Instrument is the primary unit of GRAVITY. It performs acquisition and provides interferometric fringes. BCI is cryogenically cooled and located in the VLT-I laboratory.
Science
GRAVITY is mainly used to observe the stars orbiting the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* and the position of exoplanets and brown dwarfs around their host star. It is also used for other studies that require a high resolution, such as the study of circumstellar disks and the study of AGNs.
GRAVITY+
GRAVITY+ is the upgrade of GRAVITY, which will increase its sensitivity and increase its sky coverage. The upgrade is performed incrementally to reduce the disruption of astronomical observations.
References
Astronomical instruments
Telescope instruments
Spectrographs
Interferometric telescopes
Exoplanet search projects | GRAVITY (Very Large Telescope) | [
"Physics",
"Chemistry",
"Astronomy"
] | 477 | [
"Exoplanet search projects",
"Spectrum (physical sciences)",
"Telescope instruments",
"Spectrographs",
"Astronomical instruments",
"Astronomy projects",
"Spectroscopy"
] |
78,140,446 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTEX | MTEX is a open-source MATLAB package specifically designed for the analysis of Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) data, which are widely used to analyse the crystallographic orientation of materials at the microscale.
History
The development of MTEX began in 2008, spearheaded by Ralf Hielscher, who aimed to create a user-friendly platform that could facilitate the analysis of large datasets generated by EBSD. The toolbox has since evolved, incorporating various features that allow for the manipulation and visualisation of crystallographic data.
EBSD allows for the mapping of crystallographic orientations in materials, providing insights into their microstructural properties. The integration of EBSD with MATLAB through MTEX has enabled researchers to perform advanced analyses, such as orientation distribution function (ODF) calculations, pole figure plotting, calculation of anisotropic physical properties from texture data, and grain boundary and grain reconstruction, which are crucial for understanding the mechanical properties of materials, as the crystallographic texture can significantly influence their behaviour under stress.
Moreover, the open-source nature of MTEX has fostered a collaborative environment among researchers, allowing for continuous improvements and updates to the toolbox. This community-driven approach has led to the incorporation of new features and functionalities.
MTEX's versatility is further demonstrated by its application across various fields, including geology, metallurgy, and materials science. In geological studies, for instance, MTEX has been used to analyse the crystallographic orientation of minerals, providing insights into their formation processes and the conditions under which they evolved. Similarly, in metallurgy, researchers have employed MTEX to investigate the effects of processing methods on the texture and grain boundary characteristics of alloys, which are critical for optimising their mechanical properties.
The toolbox has also been instrumental in advancing the understanding of deformation mechanisms in materials. By analysing EBSD data with MTEX, researchers can elucidate the relationship between microstructural features and mechanical behaviour, such as strain localisation and phase transformations during deformation.
References
2008 software
Crystallography software
Free science software
MATLAB software
Software using the GNU General Public License | MTEX | [
"Chemistry",
"Materials_science"
] | 455 | [
"Crystallography",
"Crystallography software"
] |
78,141,208 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brace%20roots | In botany, brace roots (roots developing from aerial stem nodes) are a type of adventitious root that develop from aboveground stem nodes in many monocots. Anchorage, water and nutrient acquisition are the most important functions of roots. Thus, plants develop roots that maximize these functions for productivity and survival. In cereals such as maize, brace roots are one of the roots that contribute to these important functions. Brace roots develop constitutively in whorls from stem nodes, with the lowest whorl being the first to develop, enter the soil, branch out, and contribute the most to anchorage. Subsequent whorls may enter the soil and contribute to anchorage and resource acquisition, but they may also remain aerial. While these aerial roots do not contribute as much to anchorage, they could contribute in other ways such as forming an association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Brace roots may remain aerial or penetrate the soil as they perform root functions such as anchorage and resource acquisition. Although brace root development in soil or aerial environments influences function, a lot is still unknown about how their anatomy, architecture and development contributes to their function. The physiology of brace roots is directly linked to their anatomy, architecture, and development. The dynamic interplay of internal regulators such as transcription factors, miRNAs, and phytohormones, lay the foundation for brace root development. Once brace roots emerge from stem nodes, the influence of external factors such as the availability of water, nutrients, light and humidity become prominent. Therefore, a combination of internal and external factors determine the overall organization, shape, and size of individual roots (root system architecture) and, as a result, root function.
Overview
Roots may develop from the embryo (contained in a seed) or post-embryonically (after germination). In young plants, root functions such as anchorage and resource acquisition (finding and taking up water and nutrients) are carried out by embryonic roots. Embryonic roots include primary roots and in some plants, seminal roots. In eudicot species (plants that have their embryo enclosed in two seed leaves), older plants continue to rely on a primary tap root for root functions with contribution from post-embryonic lateral roots. In contrast, monocot root functions are mostly carried out by post-embryonic nodal roots. Nodal roots are adventitious roots (roots originating from non-root tissues) that develop from stem nodes below (called crown roots) or above (called brace roots) the soil. Although many adventitious roots develop in response to stress conditions such as flooding or wounding, some adventitious roots develop as a normal (i.e., constitutive) part of the plant life cycle. A specialized type of constitutive adventitious root that originates from aboveground nodes in monocots, such as maize, sorghum, setaria and sugar cane, is called a brace root.
The term "brace root” has been inconsistently used. In some contexts, the term is used for only aboveground nodal roots that remain aerial and could provide support after tipping. This notion dates back to the work of Martin and Hershey in 1935 and was further expounded by Hoppe et al. 1986. However, over time, the term has evolved to encompass all aboveground nodal roots or sometimes only those that enter the soil.
Brace roots develop starting from the lowest stem node (node closest to the soil), where multiple roots emerge arranged in a whorl around the stem. Depending on the plant and the environment, brace root whorls may develop from two, three, or more nodes up the stem. Due to the subsequent nature of brace root development, the brace root whorls that develop from higher stem nodes may remain aerial throughout the plant lifespan and are referred to as aerial brace roots while the brace root whorls closest to the ground penetrate the soil and are referred to as soil brace roots.
Brace root anatomy
In maize, aerial brace roots, soil brace roots, and crown roots exhibit distinctive phenotypic traits. Anatomical differences start as early as the primordium (immature organ), where the shape of the root cap within primordia differs between belowground crown roots and aboveground brace roots. The crown root primordia has a conical root cap similar to the primary root, whereas the brace root primordia has a flattened root cap that extends further along the primordia length. As brace roots penetrate the soil, the root cap gradually resembles that of crown roots.
In general, the aerial portion of brace roots is different from the soil portion of brace roots, with the soil portion more closely resembling the crown roots. For example, the aerial segments of brace roots are green or purple in color and become colorless when the roots penetrate the soil. In addition, the aerial segments of brace roots have epidermis (outermost cell layer) that is reported to die; and a thickened hypodermis (layer of cell beneath the epidermis) and outer cortex (tissue layer located between the epidermis and the vascular tissues). When brace roots penetrate the soil, these phenotypes again become similar to crown roots. Thus, suggesting that the aerial versus soil environment plays an important role in shaping brace root anatomy.
Anatomical differences in brace roots have also been used to predict their function. For example, the number and size of differentiated late metaxylem vessels, which are utilized in water and nutrient transport, are much larger compared to those in the primary root. Indeed, brace roots from whorls high on the stem contain up to 41 times more metaxylem vessels than primary roots. Another anatomical feature that influences brace root resource acquisition is the presence of root cortical aerenchyma. Root cortical aerenchyma are enlarged air spaces in root cortices that enhance oxygen transport, which is essential to nutrient uptake during respiration. Although these air spaces do not occur in the aerial portion of brace roots, root cortical aerenchyma are observed in brace roots penetrating the soil.
Brace root architecture and function
The function of roots is partially determined by organization, shape, and size of individual roots, which is collectively called root system architecture. However, this term generally considers only the roots within the soil. Brace roots have a unique architecture that expands beyond the soil-based definition of root system architecture to include aerial environments. These different environments impact the function of brace roots for anchorage, water, and nutrient acquisition.
Brace roots were historically named for their perceived role in anchorage. Anchorage failure (termed root lodging in agricultural contexts) hinders plant growth, development, and productivity. In Zea mays (maize or corn), soil brace roots limit root lodging by stabilizing the stem, with more brace root whorls in the soil and greater brace root density within whorls correlating with better anchorage. Each whorl, however, contributes differently to anchorage with the lowest whorl (closest to the soil) contributing the most and subsequent whorls contributing less. Soil brace roots may generate a branched architecture by developing lateral roots, which theoretically increases anchorage. The aerial brace roots do not directly contribute to anchorage, but typically prevent lodged plants from remaining on the ground.
The branched architecture of soil brace roots that is advantageous for anchorage also increases surface area, which in turn impacts the efficiency of water and nutrient acquisition. Aerial brace roots on the other hand, are rigid, unbranched, and covered by a gelatinous substance called mucilage, which prevents dehydration. According to a study on the ancient Sierra Mixe maize variety, this mucilage can also harbor nitrogen-fixing microbes that contribute to nitrogen acquisition. When considering modern maize lines, one study revealed that while mucilage secretion is common, only a few lines have retained nitrogen-fixing traits similar to that of ancient maize. Moreover, genetic mapping studies identified subtilin3 (SBT3) as a negative regulator of mucilage secretion in maize. Indeed, knockout of SBT3 in a low-mucilage producing line increased mucilage secretion without impacting the number of brace root whorls, the number of brace roots per whorl, or the diameter of the brace roots. Thus, highlighting the future of engineering mucilage production to facilitate association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
In addition to nitrogen acquisition, brace roots that enter the soil during tasseling (the stage at which maize plants develop the male reproductive structure called tassel) have been shown to take up phosphorus. It remains unknown if this is specific to the tasseling stage or if brace roots provide an important role in phosphorus acquisition at other stages as well.
Furthermore, characterization of root architectural traits within and among maize genotypes showed that node-position impacts the growth patterns and characteristics of nodal roots; with size-related traits (e.g., stem width, number of roots per whorl, and nodal root diameter) showing significant sensitivity to node position. In contrast, traits such as root growth angle showed little variation across whorls or genotypes. However, both the root growth angle and the number of roots per whorl are impacted by the availability of soil nitrogen, suggesting that root traits are not purely allometric (related to plant size) but also environmentally dependent.
There may be other ways brace root anatomy and architecture influence root function, including how and when these features develop, thus, a clear understanding of brace root development is required to fully grasp the function of these specialized roots. This understanding will prove vital in maximizing brace root function through selective breeding.
Brace root development
Brace root development has been proposed to be a juvenile trait because brace root emergence is halted once the plant reaches maturity. As plants transition from juvenile to adult, the adult nodes favor development of reproductive structures like ears, over brace roots. The relationship between juvenile-to-adult transition and brace root development means that the two phenotypes are closely linked. This has made it difficult to separate genes directly involved in juvenile-to-adult transition from those involved in brace root development.
Signals that influence the development of brace roots are both internal and external. Internal signals include transcription factors, phytohormones, and small RNAs; external environmental signals include the availability of water, nutrients, light and humidity. Although environmental factors can influence the outcome of brace root development, it is, however, the internal genetic and cellular molecular regulation that determines the cell fate (in our context), to form brace roots.
Internal genetic and molecular regulation of brace root development
Brace root development can be summarized into four main stages based on anatomy and/or gene expression. These stages have been best defined in maize and are summarized below.
Stage 1: Induction
The induction stage is anatomically indistinguishable from the rest of the stem. In this stage, a group of cortical cells receives a signal to become founder cells. Founder cell establishment is the first step towards new organ formation and founder cells are defined by their ability to divide within a fully mature tissue. Signals to establish founder cells could be transcription factors, phytohormones, and/or small RNAs, but these signals are yet to be defined in the context of brace root development.
Stage 2: Initiation
In the initiation stage, founder cells rapidly divide to form primordia and are anatomically distinct. Similarly, at the molecular level, gene expression also changes. One of the changes in gene expression includes rootless concerning crown and seminal roots (RTCS). RTCS is an auxin (phytohormone) responsive gene encoding a lateral organ boundary (LOB) domain transcription factor and is expressed in many types of root primordia including brace roots. RTCS interacts with auxin response factor34 (ARF34) to induce other downstream auxin-responsive genes. This induces a cascade of signaling that results in a series of cell divisions that form primordia. Therefore, a loss of function rtcs mutant lacks brace roots, seminal roots, and crown roots.
Another proposed regulator of brace root initiation is RHCP1. RCHP1 is a RING-HC protein, a member of the RING zinc finger protein family. Zinc finger protein family members are known for their regulatory role in gene transcription either by direct binding to DNA or interacting with other proteins. Although RHCP1 is expressed in many tissues (e.g., root, leaf, stem, seedling, immature ear, and tassel), the mRNA preferentially accumulates in brace root primordia. In addition, rhcp1 is responsive to abiotic stresses such as cold, heat, drought, and salt. RHCP1 has been proposed to link brace root development to environmental stressors. However, it is unknown whether a rhcp1 mutant affects brace root development or the mechanism of how RHCP1 regulates brace root development.
Stage 3: Emergence
In the emergence stage, brace roots emerge from aboveground stem nodes. The phytohormone ethylene has been shown to regulate emergence. Reducing ethylene responses by overexpressing ARGOS8 inhibits brace root emergence. In addition, external application of an ethylene precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), to stem nodes induces the outgrowth of brace roots.
Stage 4: Elongation
In this stage, emerged brace roots continue growing towards the soil (gravitropic growth). This gravitropic growth was recently reported to be controlled by two genes, yucca2 (YUC2) and yucca4 (YUC4). Both YUC2 and YUC4 are preferentially expressed in brace root tips, and their proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum respectively. The single yuc4 and double yuc2;yuc4 mutants showed enlarged brace root angles as a result of impaired accumulation and redistribution of auxin in the brace root tips. In addition, both yuc4 and yuc2;4 displayed enhanced resistance to root lodging.
RTCS-like (RTCL) is another auxin-responsive gene. RTCL is a paralog of RTCS, but unlike the rtcs mutant which does not initiate roots, the rtcl mutant shows a defect in nodal root elongation. RTCL interacts with a stress-responsive protein (STR) exclusively in the cytosol suggesting its involvement in brace root stress response.
Stage Unknown
In addition to the genes highlighted above, which have been placed at specific stages of brace root development, there are additional genes that affect brace root development but have not yet been associated with any specific stages. A set of these genes result in fewer brace root whorls when mutated. This includes: related to apetala2.7 (RAP2.7), rootless1 (RT1), early phase change (EPC) and big embryo1 (BIGE1). Conversely, other genes result in more brace root whorls when mutated. These include the overexpression of mir156, which reduces squamosa promoter binding protein (SBP) transcription factor expression, mutants of teopod1, teopod2 and teopod3 (TP1, TP2 and TP3), co, constans, co-like and timing of cab1 (CCT10), dwarf1, dwarf3 and dwarf5 (D1, D3 and D5), anther ear1 (AN1), teosinte glume architecture1 (TGA1), and vivaparous8 (VP8). A detailed review of these genes can be found in Hostetler et al. 2022.
This list of genes is likely to grow significantly as research continues. Indeed, transcriptome profiling of early brace root development identified 307 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated genes, the majority of which have yet to be further investigated.
External environmental factors affecting brace roots development
As previously highlighted, brace root development is determined by a combination of internal genetic components and external environmental factors. There is currently a lack of studies directly testing the influence of environmental factors on brace root development, however, some studies have shown that the availability of water, nutrients, light, and humidity influences nodal root development.
The response of nodal root development to withholding water has been assessed in maize, sorghum, setaria, switchgrass, brachypodium, and teosinte. Withholding water resulted in nodal (crown) root arrest after emergence and inhibition of entry into the elongation stage. There were also more emerged roots in water-stressed plants than in well-watered plants, suggesting withholding water may induce early stages of nodal root development. The mechanism of crown and brace root response to water stress is likely similar but there are currently no studies that report the effect of water stress on brace roots.
Similar to water availability, nitrogen stress can have adverse effects on nodal root development. In some maize genotypes, nitrogen deficiency reduces the number of emerged roots per whorl, although crown versus brace root whorls were not distinguished. In a separate study, nitrogen deficiency was shown to induce steeper brace root angles, which is an outcome of altering the gravitropic response in the elongation stage.
Other environmental factors that may influence brace root development are light and humidity. It has been observed that plastic mulching at the base of maize plants induces more brace roots and accelerates brace root growth. This may be due to increased humidity and decreased light availability, which promotes ethylene production and retention. Additional support for light availability influencing the brace root development is when a maize plant is laid horizontally over a moisture-free surface with a light source at 90⁰ above, there is increased brace root emergence on the lower shaded side. However, the latter may also be due to gravity perception.
Another factor to consider is the planting depth. Planting depth affects the rate of germination and seminal root development, however, it might not impact brace root development. The crown, a highly compressed set of underground stem nodes, where crown roots develop, maintains a consistent depth regardless of planting depth. This consistency in the crown position is determined by a change in the red to far-red light ratio near the soil surface as the seedling emerges. When the coleoptile reaches near the soil surface, the change in light ratio alters hormone supply, halting mesocotyl elongation. As a result, the crown depth remains nearly the same (1/2 to 3/4 inch) for seeding depths of one inch or greater. Since brace roots form after the crown depth is established, they should not be directly affected by the planting depth, however, this has not been tested.
Whether for anchorage or for water and nutrient uptake, the anatomy, architecture, and function of brace roots is environmentally influenced. Overall, environmental impact on brace root development provides a valuable opportunity to investigate, identify, and enhance beneficial root traits. However, these external environmental factors are understudied and poorly defined. Thus, more studies are required to utilize environmental cue perception and response in brace root development to maximize their function in plant survival and fitness.
Further reading
Physico-chemical properties of maize brace roots mucilage and pink lady (Heterotis rotundifolia).
Plant Roots: Growth, Activity and Interaction with Soils.
Measurement of water uptake (by crown root and lateral roots) using neutron radiography technique.
P32 Uptake by Brace Roots of Maize and Its Distribution Within the Leaves.
References
Wikipedia articles published in WikiJournal of Science
Plant morphology | Brace roots | [
"Biology"
] | 4,033 | [
"Plant morphology",
"Plants"
] |
78,141,225 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seidor%20%28company%29 | Seidor is a technology consulting firm with headquarters in Barcelona, Spain. It was founded in 1982 in Vic. By 2024, it has a team of 9,000 people and a direct presence in 45 countries in Europe, the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Carlyle Group joined Seidor as a major shareholder in August 2024.
It has a comprehensive portfolio of technology services and solutions covering AI, enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer experience (CX), employee experience, data, application modernisation, cloud, edge, connectivity and cyber security.
History
Seidor was established in 1982 in Vic (Barcelona). It was founded by the brothers Santiago and Andreu Benito. The company's initial focus was on developing customised business management software for small and medium sized companies.
In 1983, Seidor opened its Barcelona office, the company's global headquarters. A year later, it created Microsistemas to manage its microcomputer business, and in 1984 it began its alliance with IBM.
The first office in Madrid was opened in 1991. In the same year, the company began implementing standard ERP business management solutions, which has been one of its main areas of activity ever since. In 1992, Josep Benito, who would later become the company's CEO, joined the company; in 1996, it partnered with SAP, a German business management software company, in order to have a strategic partner for its global growth. It was also during this decade that Seidor sealed its alliance with Microsoft, a partnership that has been strengthened over the years.
In 2003, Seidor acquired Saytel, which marked the start of its activities in the large enterprise sector; in 2005, the company began its international expansion with the opening of offices in Chile. It also entered the SAP business for SMEs.
The first corporate operation outside Spain took place in 2010, with the creation of Crystal Solutions (Brazil), specialising in data analysis; in 2012, the company entered the cloud computing business; in 2014, it continued its international expansion and started working with global institutions and agencies such as the European Union, the United Nations and the World Bank; in 2016, Seidor expanded its global presence and continued diversifying its activities in areas such as digital transformation, cybersecurity and online education, and in the same year, established its alliance with AWS.
In 2017, it created the first global competence centre in the field of SAP CX in Peru, Valencia and Taiwan.
In 2021, Seidor became a partner of Salesforce and Google Cloud; in 2022, it entered the field of connectivity services and established an alliance with CISCO.
From 2023, it develops the field of Artificial Intelligence and Edge Technologies. In 2024, The Carlyle Group becomes a shareholder of the company; Sergi Biosca is appointed CEO and Josep Benito, Executive Chairman.
Operations
In order to expand its geographic presence and capabilities, the group has made a number of strategic acquisitions and integrations of other companies. Key transactions include the following:
2003: acquisition of Saytel (Spain)
2010: acquisition of Crystal Solutions (Brazil), the first outside Spain.
2014: acquisition of Dispal (Spain).
2020: Clariba acquisition (Middle East); integration of Deusto Sistemas (Spain).
2021: acquisition of NTS and Avanti 21(Spain); Metrocis (Argentina) and Sicnet (Mexico).
2022: integration of Opentrends, Impala, and Valnera (Spain); Workwell (France); Viceri (Brazil); Nectia (Colombia and Chile); Valkimia and Indecs (Argentina); Innovativa (Peru).
2023: integration acquisition of Gunpowder and ECA Consult (Italy); Nubersia (Spain), Teamsoft (Ireland) and Little Fish (Sweden).
2024: integration of Gesein (Spain), and HT High Technology (Italy).
Global Expansion
The company has been expanding its international presence through a combination of its own office openings and local acquisitions. The chronology of this growth is as follows:
2005: Chile, Argentina and Mexico.
2007: Portugal.
2010: Brazil.
2013: United States and Middle East
2014: Belgium (Brussels).
2016: United Kingdom, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania.
2017: Morocco.
2019: Italy.
2022: France, China, Singapore and Andorra.
2023: Ireland, Sweden, Ethiopia, and Tunisia.
Solutions and services
The company began by developing business management applications for small and medium-sized enterprises. It has gradually expanded its range of services and technological solutions and, in turn, its geographical presence to serve customers in a variety of sectors, as well as large companies.
Sectors served include: government, agri-food, food & beverage, banking & insurance, ceramics, construction, consumer, pharmaceutical distribution, education, pharmaceuticals, automotive & aerospace, engineering & machinery, real estate, process products, chemicals, retail, healthcare, professional services and transportation.
The Group offers solutions in the areas of AI, standard ERP, customer experience, employee experience, data, application modernisation, cloud, edge technology, networking and cyber security.
Innovation and development
There are centres of innovation and excellence in several countries:
CX competence centres in Bilbao, Bogota, Lima, Madrid, Santiago, Taipei and Valencia; AI and Innovation competence centres in Barcelona, Bilbao, Dubai and Santiago; Data competence centres in Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Dubai; Workplace competence centres -Workplace- in Barcelona; cloud computing competency centres -Cloud- in Barcelona, Lima, Sao Paulo and Zaragoza; and an Application Development competency centre in Kerala. It also has Cybersecurity competence centres in Barcelona, Mexico City and Lima.
The technology consultancy collaborates with different organisations in the academic and educational field, such as ESADE, IESE, San Telmo Business School, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Deusto, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Universidad de Nebrija, Universidad del País Vasco, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, Universitat Oberta Catalunya Open University of Catalonia(UOC), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Universitat de València, University of Vic, and Universidad del Desarrollo, in Santiago de Chile. It also participates in various technological meetings with universities and companies, and incorporates and prepares students in training practices in the IT field.
Awards and recognitions
The company has received a number of awards and has been recognised as a reference technology partner by a range of technology companies including IBM, SAP, Microsoft, Salesforce, Google and AWS.
References
Technology companies
Computer systems
Artificial intelligence | Seidor (company) | [
"Technology",
"Engineering"
] | 1,410 | [
"Computer science",
"Computers",
"Computer engineering",
"Computer systems"
] |
78,141,625 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcarine | Arcarine (ORM-11984) is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) developed by Orion Corporation, a Finnish pharmaceutical company. It belongs to a class of drugs designed to have tissue-selective androgenic effects, potentially offering the benefits of androgens while minimizing unwanted side effects. Arcarine was investigated for the treatment of various conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypogonadism, and osteoporosis. The compound reached Phase I clinical trials before development was discontinued. Like other SARMs, Arcarine was developed to potentially provide anabolic effects in muscle and bone tissue while having reduced androgenic effects in other tissues, such as the prostate.
References
Abandoned drugs
Drugs with undisclosed chemical structures
Selective androgen receptor modulators | Arcarine | [
"Chemistry"
] | 166 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Drug safety",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Abandoned drugs"
] |
78,141,844 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmefamol | Salmefamol (, ; developmental code name AH-3923) is a drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine families described as a bronchodilator which was never marketed. It is a β-adrenergic receptor agonist with some selectivity for the β2-adrenergic receptor and has been described as a "sister compound" to salbutamol. However, the drug is more potent (1.5-fold), longer-acting (6hours), and more lipophilic in comparison to salbutamol. It was intended for inhalational or intravenous administration. Salmefamol was first described in the literature by 1968.
References
Abandoned drugs
Beta-adrenergic agonists
Beta-Hydroxyamphetamines
Phenethylamines
Triols
4-Methoxyphenyl compounds | Salmefamol | [
"Chemistry"
] | 190 | [
"Drug safety",
"Abandoned drugs"
] |
78,141,952 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bufenadrine | Bufenadrine (; developmental code name B.S. 6534), also known as 2-tert-butyldiphenhydramine, is a drug described as an antiemetic, antihistamine, anticholinergic, and antiparkinsonian agent which was never marketed. It is the 2-tert-butyl analogue of diphenhydramine. The drug was found to produce stereoselective hepatotoxicity in animals and this led to the discontinuation of its development. Bufenadrine was first described in the literature by 1967. Its suffix "-drine" is generally for sympathomimetics but bufenadrine itself is not actually a sympathomimetic or related agent.
References
Abandoned drugs
Anticholinergics
Antiemetics
Antihistamines
Antiparkinsonian agents
Hepatotoxins
Tert-butyl compounds
Dimethylamino compounds
Ethanolamines | Bufenadrine | [
"Chemistry"
] | 207 | [
"Drug safety",
"Abandoned drugs"
] |
78,141,994 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica%20M.%20Young | Jessica May Young Stephens (March 21, 1893 – June 15, 1961) was an American astronomer. She was a professor at Washington University in St. Louis from 1924 to 1958. Her research involved computing the orbits of comets.
Early life and education
Young was from Saint Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Louis Charles Young and Lillian Van Arsdale Young. Her mother was a physician and her father worked in a printing business. She had an older sister, Harriett.
Young graduated from Yeatman High School. She finished a bachelor's degree at Washington University in 1914, and earned a master's degree in astronomy and physics there in 1915. Her master's thesis was titled "On the cause of the non-appearance of certain periodic comets on their predicted returns." She completed doctoral studies in astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1921, with a dissertation titled "The Galactic Rotation Effect in Open Clusters". She was the fourth woman to earn a Ph.D. in astronomy at Berkeley, after Phoebe Waterman Haas (1913), Anna Estelle Glancy (1913), and Sophia Levy (1920).
Career
Young was appointed as a fellow at the Lick Observatory in 1916. She presented a paper at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific meeting in 1916, and published her research in the society's journal. In 1921, she attended the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting held in Toronto, one of the eleven women members present. She began teaching at Washington University in 1920; in 1924, she was appointed assistant professor of mathematics and astronomy. In 1958, she was promoted to the rank of associate professor, and she was the first woman to retire from the faculty as Associate Professor Emeritus. She gave public lectures on astronomy topics, and organized viewing groups on campus for eclipses and other sky events. Late in life, she taught at North Carolina A&M College.
Publications
"Notes on the Orbit of the Visual Binary, A 570" (1922)
"Section D (Astronomy) of the A.A.A.S. at St. Louis, Missouri" (1936)
"A definitive orbit of the visual binary star, OΣ 298" (1939)
"Study of the orbits computed for Comet 1889 VI" (1948)
Personal life
Young married mathematics professor Eugene Stephens, in 1932. Physicist William Edwards Stephens was Eugene's son from his first marriage. Her husband died in 1957, and she died in 1961, in Haverford, Pennsylvania, at the age of 68.
References
1893 births
1961 deaths
American astronomers
People from St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis alumni
Washington University in St. Louis faculty
University of California, Berkeley alumni
American women scientists
Women astronomers | Jessica M. Young | [
"Astronomy"
] | 546 | [
"Women astronomers",
"Astronomers"
] |
76,764,222 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia%20G10 | The Nokia G10 is a Nokia-branded Android One smartphone that was manufactured by HMD Global.
References
External links
https://www.hmd.com/en_us/nokia-g-10?sku=719901153391
Mobile phones introduced in 2021
Mobile phones with multiple rear cameras | Nokia G10 | [
"Technology"
] | 67 | [
"Crossover devices",
"Mobile technology stubs",
"Phablets",
"Mobile phone stubs"
] |
76,764,507 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3%27%20mRNA-seq | 3' mRNA-seq is a quantitative, genome-wide transcriptomic technique based on the barcoding of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA molecules. Unlike standard bulk RNA-seq, where short sequencing reads are generated along the entire length of mRNA transcripts, only the 3' end of polyadenylated RNAs are sequenced in 3' mRNA-seq. This approach results in a need for fewer reads to quantify the expression of a gene and reduces the sequencing depth required per sample while providing robust and reliable transcriptome-wide read-outs of gene expression levels comparable to full-length RNA-seq methods.
Sample barcoding and the reduced per-sample sequencing depth also allow higher levels of sample multiplexing per experiment and lower the cost of transcriptome sequencing compared to full-length RNA-seq methods. These factors are crucial for large-scale, ultra-high-throughput gene expression studies or studies assessing differential gene expression between different experimental conditions or cell types.
Some 3' mRNA-seq technologies, like Bulk RNA Barcoding and Sequencing (BRB-seq) commercialized by Alithea Genomics further streamline the library preparation process by pooling up to 384 samples very early in the workflow for a cost per sample tantamount to profiling four individual genes using conventional qRT-PCR, in a workflow requiring less than two and a half hours hands-on time. An increasing number of 3' mRNA-seq techniques also include unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) in sample barcodes to uniquely label each mRNA molecule and to distinguish between original mRNA transcripts and duplicates that result from PCR amplification.
History
The sample barcoding approach used in 3' mRNA-seq was first established in the field of single-cell transcriptomics, where sample and mRNA barcoding allowed hundreds to thousands of single cells to be multiplexed in one experiment. Single-cell RNA profiling technologies like CEL-seq2, SCRB-seq, and STRT-seq also allowed the pooling of large sets of samples into one unique sequencing library at an early stage in the protocol due to the addition of sample barcodes recognizing the 3' poly(A)-tail of mRNA molecules.
However, while early iterations of 3' mRNA-seq methods employed oligo-dT priming to enrich for the 3' poly(A) regions of mRNA molecules, they often did not include the option to multiplex samples early in the workflow or to include UMIs to correct for amplification errors (Moll et al., 2014). Subsequent iterations and refinements of the method now often include combinations of UMIs and sample barcodes, with workflows optimized specifically for early multiplexing, and suitable for ultra-high-throughput sequencing experiments.
Method
Numerous 3' mRNA-seq methods exist, such as BRB-seq, QuantSeq, 3’Pool-seq, TagSeq, and QIAseq.
Each method relies on an initial reverse transcription step in which mRNAs are labeled with sample barcodes. Reverse transcription can be performed with oligo dT primers, barcoded oligo dT primers, or template-switching oligos. In contrast, bulk RNA-seq library preparation methods like Illumina TruSeq mRNA Stranded kit use random priming of pre-fragmented RNA for reverse transcription to ensure reads are generated along the entire length of mRNA transcripts.
Second-strand synthesis is then performed in each method by DNA polymerase 1 nick translation or PCR, resulting in double-stranded complementary DNA (cDNA). This is followed by a process called tagmentation, in which double-stranded cDNA is fragmented and tagged using Tn5 transposase, which cleaves the cDNA and ligates adaptors for library amplification. Some methods use random primers for this stage.
Library indexing and PCR amplification then take place, resulting in libraries enriched for the 3' untranslated region of mRNAs and suitable for short-read sequencing on Illumina or MGI sequencing instruments.
Advantages of 3' mRNA-seq
3' mRNA-seq methods are generally cheaper per sample than standard bulk RNA-seq methods. This is because of the lower sequencing depth required due to only the 3' end of mRNA molecules being sequenced instead of the whole length of entire transcripts. Read depths of between one million and five million reads are recommended in commercialized 3' mRNA-seq protocols and are suitable for detecting the majority of highly expressed genes. This also allows more samples to be sequenced in the same sequencing run. The sample throughput for 3' mRNA-seq library preparation differs per method but can allow up to 384 samples to be processed in plates, with options for automation. For methods where samples are pooled early in the workflow, consumable use and cost are further reduced. For instance, BRB-seq is up to 25 times cheaper than Illumina TruSeq stranded mRNA library preparations, with a cost equivalent to assessing four genes by RT-qPCR.
The methods are largely insensitive to RNA degradation because only the 3' region of mRNA transcripts are prepared for sequencing, regardless of how fragmented the rest of the mRNA molecules are due to degradation. This makes 3' mRNA-seq methods suitable for both high-quality and degraded RNA with RIN <6 and results in data of a quality similar to full-length RNA-seq methods. However, as only the 3' region of mRNA molecules are sequenced, 3' mRNA-seq methods are not suitable for the analysis of full-length transcripts, splice variants, fusion genes, or RNA editing.
References
DNA sequencing | 3' mRNA-seq | [
"Chemistry",
"Biology"
] | 1,211 | [
"Molecular biology techniques",
"DNA sequencing"
] |
76,764,590 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHO%20SMART%20guidelines | The WHO Smart Guidelines is a framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to streamline the implementation of evidence-based health recommendations using digital technologies. The acronym "SMART" stands for Standards-based, Machine-readable, Adaptive, Requirements-based, and Testable, which outlines the structured approach used to translate traditional health guidelines into formats suitable for digital health systems.: The objective of SMART guidelines is to promote adaptation of WHO guidelines while preserving fidelity of the evidence.
Background
The WHO publishes numerous health guidelines that aim to improve healthcare delivery across different countries, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the adoption of these guidelines has been hindered by several challenges. Some key issues include difficulties in adapting global recommendations to local contexts, limited experience with integrating guidelines into digital health systems, and insufficient healthcare infrastructure. These obstacles have led to delays in the adoption of WHO guidelines by national health systems, sometimes taking several years to implement.
WHO SMART Guidelines attempt to address these issues by providing a transparent, and testable systematic pathway for countries to work through. Based on this approach, "Digital Adaptation Kits" that translate WHO guidelines into a common language that helps implementation. They are software-neutral, meaning they can be adapted into whichever software platform a country has elected to use, encouraging adoption.
Components
The SMART guidelines framework is composed of five key layers, which systematically transition guidelines from traditional, human-readable formats to executable, machine-readable algorithms:
Barriers to adoption
While the Smart Guidelines have been piloted in several countries with positive initial outcomes, there are significant challenges to their widespread adoption. A 2022 scoping review highlighted several barriers including
Weak national legislation and policy coherence
Inadequate expertise and training of healthcare providers
Funding limitations for guideline implementation
Poor healthcare infrastructure in many LMICs
Additionally, governance issues within member states have compounded these challenges, with a lack of accountability and transparency mechanisms further hindering the uptake of WHO guidelines. In some cases, WHO guidelines were considered technically unclear or difficult to implement, particularly for certain health conditions.
To mitigate these issues, WHO has emphasized the need for global and local investments in capacity building, particularly in the areas of digital health expertise and infrastructure development. The use of the HL7 FHIR standard in the Smart Guidelines has also been a point of debate, as some argue that the scarcity of trained professionals in LMICs could initially limit its adoption. However, proponents note that the widespread adoption of global standards like FHIR can ultimately benefit all countries by encouraging shared investments and resources.
Other global initiatives
The WHO Smart Guidelines are part of a broader global trend of digitizing clinical guidelines to make them more actionable in healthcare systems. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States developed the "Adapting Clinical Guidelines for the Digital Age" (ACG) initiative, which promotes a holistic approach to digital health guideline implementation. The CDC approach includes a 12-phase process for creating and implementing both written and computable guidelines. While the CDC's initiative took a comprehensive approach, the WHO initially focused its Smart Guidelines on specific domains, such as antenatal care, before expanding to other health areas.
The WHO's top-down approach, which involves transitioning global narrative guidelines to digital formats and then adapting them locally, contrasts with the more decentralized, middle-out approaches seen in other contexts. Some experts have suggested that including a SMART Guidelines statement on all current WHO guidelines might help broaden their adoption by promoting long-term alignment with the global digital health community.
References
Medical guidelines
World Health Organization
Health informatics
Health policy | WHO SMART guidelines | [
"Biology"
] | 738 | [
"Health informatics",
"Medical technology"
] |
76,765,511 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Aminooxazole | 2-Aminooxazole is a heterocyclic organic compound, belonging to the class of oxazoles. It is a five-membered ring structure containing one oxygen and two nitrogen atoms.
Properties
2-Aminooxazole contains a primary amine group which can participate in various reactions like protonation, acylation, or alkylation. The oxazole ring can also show reactions like ring expansion, electrophilic substitution, etc. and also contributes aromatic character and stability to the molecule.
Applications
2-Aminooxazole possesses antimicrobial properties against various fungal and bacterial strains especially against Tuberculosis-causing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The amine group of 2-Aminooxazole can potentially link with different molecules, making it a potential candidate for drug synthesis in antitubercular medicinal chemistry.
2-Aminooxazole has also been hypothesised to have played a role in chemical evolution as a precursor of RNA nucleotides.
See also
Oxazoles
2-Aminothiazole
References
Amines
Antimicrobials
Aromatic compounds
Heterocyclic compounds with 1 ring
Oxazoles | 2-Aminooxazole | [
"Chemistry",
"Biology"
] | 234 | [
"Antimicrobials",
"Aromatic compounds",
"Functional groups",
"Organic compounds",
"Amines",
"Biocides",
"Bases (chemistry)"
] |
76,765,597 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidesulfovibrio | Solidesulfovibrio is a bacterium genus in the family Desulfovibrionaceae.
Solidesulfovibrio aerotolerans
Solidesulfovibrio alcoholivorans
Solidesulfovibrio burkinensis
Solidesulfovibrio carbinolicus
Solidesulfovibrio carbinoliphilus
Solidesulfovibrio fructosivorans
Solidesulfovibrio magneticus
Solidesulfovibrio marrakechensis
References
Taxa described in 2020
Desulfovibrionales | Solidesulfovibrio | [
"Biology"
] | 113 | [
"Bacteria stubs",
"Bacteria"
] |
76,767,399 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudodesulfovibrio | Pseudodesulfovibrio is a bacterium genus in the family Desulfovibrionaceae.
Pseudodesulfovibrio aespoeensis
Pseudodesulfovibrio alkaliphilus
Pseudodesulfovibrio halophilus
Pseudodesulfovibrio hydrargyri
Pseudodesulfovibrio indicus
Pseudodesulfovibrio mercurii
Pseudodesulfovibrio nedwellii
Pseudodesulfovibrio piezophilus
Pseudodesulfovibrio portus
Pseudodesulfovibrio profundus
Pseudodesulfovibrio sediminis
Pseudodesulfovibrio senegalensis
Pseudodesulfovibrio tunisiensis
References
Bacteria described in 2016
Desulfovibrionales
Bacteria genera | Pseudodesulfovibrio | [
"Biology"
] | 153 | [
"Bacteria stubs",
"Bacteria"
] |
76,767,508 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah%20Haarsma | Deborah Haarsma is an American astrophysicist, philosopher of religion and science author and activist. She is the former president of The BioLogos Foundation, a Christian advocacy organization promoting evolutionary creationism and discourse on science and religion. She contributes to the intersection of modern science and Christian faith, engaging in discussions about conflicts.
Education and academic career
Haarsma studied at the Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota where she completed her undergraduate work in physics and music. Haarsma then pursued her doctoral studies in astrophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she got her PhD.
Haarsma joined the faculty of Calvin University, where she served as a professor and chair of the physics and astronomy departments. In 2013, she became president of The BioLogos Foundation.
Activism
Haarsma advocates for scientific literacy and harmony between science and religion. She has voiced support for the acceptance of the scientific consensus and what the consensus agrees with such as the age of Earth being about 4.5 billion years old, age of universe being about 13.8 billion years old, and the theory of evolution. Haarsma promotes theistic evolution.
COVID-19
Haarsma strongly supported outbreak restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. She strongly promoted COVID vaccine and was involved in debunking COVID-19 misinformation. She also alongside other members of BioLogos published the statement A Christian Statement on Science for Pandemic Times which was signed by more than 2500 people including Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, David French, and Walter Kim.
Theistic evolution and intelligent design
She has defended theistic evolutionism against both atheists and theists who argue it to be incompatible with science and theology respectively. She sharply criticized the book Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique published by Crossway and written by members related to the Discovery Institute. In an article on BioLogos criticizing the book, she strongly criticized the Intelligent Design movement and its goals. Haarsma stated that she "indeed" believed in something that is technically an "Intelligent Designer". However, she believed that the "designer" "designs" through the natural processes of evolution and is the first cause of it, while evolution is only secondary to the "designer". She stated that she believes that evolution occurs by natural selection (and other things included in Neo-Darwinism), but considers God's providence to be an additional factor. She believes that evolution occurs by chance and God is the one who set or determined these chances.
Biologos
During her presidency at BioLogos, Haarsma commented on the Bill Nye–Ken Ham debate, which had been criticized for giving attention to Answers in Genesis (an organization that promotes young Earth creationism) and for fueling the creation-evolution controversy. Haarsma and other members of BioLogos said "We expect that we'll agree with most of what Bill Nye will say about the science of evolution. Fossils, genetics, and other disciplines give compelling evidence that all life on earth is related and developed over a very long time through natural processes. But we're also brothers and sisters in Christ with Ken Ham. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for our sins and rose from the dead, and that the Bible is the authoritative word of God." She, alongside others, also stated "that one of the lasting effects of this debate will be to further alienate Christianity from science in the public consciousness."
Personal life
Haarsma is a Christian. She believes in theistic evolution which she prefers to call "evolutionary creationism". She believes that God interacts with and sustains the world and has rejected accusations of deism. Haarsma believes in miracles. She has rejected accusations of "philosophical naturalism", stating that she only supports "methodological naturalism".
References
Living people
Theistic evolutionists
1969 births
American astrophysicists
Writers about religion and science
Critics of conspiracy theories
American critics of creationism
Philosophers of religion
Science activists
American science communicators
Bethel University (Minnesota) alumni
Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni
Members of The BioLogos Foundation | Deborah Haarsma | [
"Biology"
] | 854 | [
"Non-Darwinian evolution",
"Theistic evolutionists",
"Biology theories"
] |
76,767,533 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundidesulfovibrio | Fundidesulfovibrio is a bacterium genus in the family Desulfovibrionaceae.
Fundidesulfovibrio agrisoli
Fundidesulfovibrio butyratiphilus
Fundidesulfovibrio magnetotacticus
Fundidesulfovibrio putealis
Fundidesulfovibrio soli
Fundidesulfovibrio terrae
References
Bacteria described in 2020
Desulfovibrionales
Bacteria genera | Fundidesulfovibrio | [
"Biology"
] | 90 | [
"Bacteria stubs",
"Bacteria"
] |
76,767,629 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maridesulfovibrio | Maridesulfovibrio is a bacterium genus in the family Desulfovibrionaceae.
Maridesulfovibrio bastinii
Maridesulfovibrio ferrireducens
Maridesulfovibrio frigidus
Maridesulfovibrio hydrothermalis (Alazard et al. 2003) Waite et al. 2020
Maridesulfovibrio salexigens
Maridesulfovibrio salinus
References
Bacteria described in 2020
Desulfovibrionales
Bacteria genera | Maridesulfovibrio | [
"Biology"
] | 105 | [
"Bacteria stubs",
"Bacteria"
] |
76,767,723 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humidesulfovibrio | Humidesulfovibrio is a bacterium genus in the family Desulfovibrionaceae.
Humidesulfovibrio arcticus
Humidesulfovibrio idahonensis
Humidesulfovibrio mexicanus
References
Bacteria described in 2020
Desulfovibrionales
Bacteria genera | Humidesulfovibrio | [
"Biology"
] | 60 | [
"Bacteria stubs",
"Bacteria"
] |
76,767,806 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halodesulfovibrio | Halodesulfovibrio is a bacterium genus in the family Desulfovibrionaceae.
Halodesulfovibrio aestuarii
Halodesulfovibrio marinisediminis
Halodesulfovibrio oceani
Halodesulfovibrio spirochaetisodalis
References
Bacteria described in 2017
Desulfovibrionales
Bacteria genera | Halodesulfovibrio | [
"Biology"
] | 77 | [
"Bacteria stubs",
"Bacteria"
] |
76,768,028 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal-organic%20nanotube | Metal–organic nanotubes (MONTs) are a class of crystalline coordination polymers consisting of organic ligands bonded to a metal or metal cluster that form single-walled one-dimensional porous structures. The usage of organic ligands allows the properties of the resulting material to be tuned, as in the parent class of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), but like carbon nanotubes, MONTs are anisotropic structures.
Structure
MONTs have three main components: an organic bridging ligand, an inorganic metal or metal cluster, and a capping ligand that limits the dimensionality of the resulting structure. The bridging ligand is typically di-, tri- or tetravalent, while the capping ligand and metal form structures analogous to secondary building units (SBUs) in MOFs. MONTs have topologies that can be classified as helical coils, stacked macrocyclic rings, pillars of metal-ligand chains, or (m,n) scaffold nets.
Helical coil MONTs can be thought of as a linear coordination polymer that is warped into a spiral conformation, resulting in a tube-shaped structure. Macrocyclic ring MONTs are macrocycles fused via coordination bonds to construct an infinite tube. Pillar-chain MONTs are two, three, or four metal-anion linear chains connected via organic linkers to form a nanotube. (m,n) scaffold nets are constructed from a single organic linker functioning as nodes in a topological net, where “m” represents the number of metal linkers while “n” represents the number of organic nodes.
Synthesis and properties
MONTs are synthesized primarily via a bottom-up solvothermal synthesis approach from a mixture of organic ligands and metal. In bottom-up syntheses, ligands coordinate to metals and rapidly form pre-MONT crystallites that ripen into well-developed crystals through equilibrium processes. This process can expel defects as discrete molecules add to existing crystal structures reversibly over the course of hours to days. Guest molecules such as dimethylformamide or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone often play a vital role in the formation of MONTs.
Another route of MONT synthesis is performed via curling a 2-D sheet into a nanotube. This method relies on exfoliation of the sheet, enabled by weak interlayer interactions. Once the sheets have been separated, chemical stresses induced by a host material force the sheet to curl upon itself and form a MONT.
Careful selection of ligands and metals in MONTs allow tunable pore sizes and dimensions, resulting in applications such as fluid separations, hydrogen storage, as an ion exchange material, and chemical sensing.
See also
Coordination chemistry
Coordination polymers
Covalent organic framework
Macromolecular assembly
Metal–inorganic framework
Metal-organic framework
Omar M. Yaghi
Organometallic chemistry
Porous polymer
Reticular chemistry
Susumu Kitagawa
X-ray Crystallography
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks
References
Nanotubes by composition
Metal-organic frameworks | Metal-organic nanotube | [
"Chemistry",
"Materials_science"
] | 636 | [
"Porous polymers",
"Metal-organic frameworks"
] |
76,768,404 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight%20fraud | Weight fraud (also scale fraud and short-weighting) is a type of measurement fraud involving the mislabeling or inaccurate weighing of products. In this deceptive practice, products are labeled or weighed in a manner that falsely indicates a greater weight than they actually possess. For fraud deterrence, many locales require periodic calibration of weight scales and employ inspectors to verify that the legal standard definitions of weights are being met.
The rise of self-checkout has led to consumer weight fraud at the register resulting in shrinkage. Customers may intentionally or unintentionally misrepresent the weight of products when using self-checkout machines, leading to a discrepancy between the actual and recorded weights of products.
Weight fraud can also involve the adulterating the product through the addition of lower-cost, inferior, or unnecessary ingredients, such as water, in order to increase its overall weight. This type of adulteration allows manufacturers or sellers to artificially inflate the weight of the product while reducing their production costs, thereby increasing their profits. However, this form of weight fraud misleads consumers and may negatively impact the quality, safety, or nutritional value of the product, potentially resulting in harm to both the consumers and the integrity of the marketplace.
In transportation, freight brokers and carriers may misstate weights to maximize profits.
Food fraud
In retail food fraud, a product's packaging might state that it weighs more than it actually does, or a retail scale might be rigged to display an inflated weight.
The product's packaging may be fraudulently included in the product's weight, or if negligible, may be increased in weight, such as the pre-moistening of the meat diaper or adding ice to fish. Other common forms of short-weight include the intentional glazing with a "marinade" of water, citric acid, and salt glaze. The use of lower-cost plant-derived ingredients and the injection of water into meat may also occur.
Seafood
Shrimp and prawn may be injected with carboxymethyl cellulose gel to increase weight. Seafood may also be soaked in polyphosphates which have increased water retention allowing them to absorb excess water to increase weight.
Tea
Tea may be adulterated with fake materials and colorized agents to increase the volume that may be brewed.
United States
Retail
In the United States, weight fraud is monitored by inspectors, and has been an ongoing concern.
In 1910, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture wrote:
A 2021 investigation by KNSD in San Diego found that some retail scales were measuring lighter than they should.
List of United States retail weight fraud cases
In 1934, several New York matzoh manufacturers were found to be short-weighting their 5 lb packages to 4 lb 9 oz.
In 2006, Albertsons was fined $2 million for failing to subtract packaging from deli and bulk food items.
In 2015, Whole Foods in New York City was found to have routinely overstated the weight of prepackaged products.
In 2024, Walmart settled a class action lawsuit for $45 million due to weight fraud.
In 2024, Albertsons agreed to a $3.9 million settlement over allegations of fraudulent charging practices of promoting false weight of certain products.
Agriculture
To deter scale fraud, the USDS requires that stockyard owners, swine contractors, market agencies, dealers (including video auctions), packers, or live poultry dealers that weigh livestock, live poultry, or feed, must have their scales tested at least twice each calendar year. The first scale tests must occur between January 1 and June 30 of the calendar year and the second must occur between July 1 and December 31 of the calendar year. A minimum of 120 days is required between these two tests. More frequent testing is required for scales that do not maintain accuracy between tests.
Freight
In 1979, a GAO report found that household movers routinely inflated freight weights in a practice called "weight bumping."
In 2016, Maersk was fined $3.7 million for falsely inflating military cargo freight weights.
Freight weight fraud may also endangers carriers such as vessels and planes by shifting the center of gravity.
See also
Shrinkflation
NIST Handbook 133, Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods
References
Fraud
Measurement
Weight | Weight fraud | [
"Physics",
"Mathematics"
] | 878 | [
"Mechanical quantities",
"Force",
"Physical quantities",
"Quantity",
"Mass",
"Measurement",
"Weight",
"Size",
"Wikipedia categories named after physical quantities",
"Matter"
] |
76,768,912 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yttrium%20stannides | Yttrium and tin form several yttrium stannide intermetallic compounds.
The most tin-rich is YSn3, followed by YSn2, Y11Sn10, Y5Sn4, and Y5Sn3. None survives above , at which point Y5Sn3 melts congruently. The enthalpy of dissolution is similar to the stannides of other late lanthanoids, and the intermetallics' overall enthalpies of formation resemble silicides, not germanides or plumbides.
YSn3 is an electrical superconductor below . It was originally thought to be a Type I superconductor, but 7 K may actually be the strong-coupling regime, despite the low temperature. The density of electronic states has a local maximum at the Fermi level, composed of tin p and d orbitals. The intermetallic is difficult to form, slowly crystallizing from a mixture of Sn and YSn2 above . This may arise from competing allotropes near room temperature: although its crystal structure is certainly cubic, simulation indicates that both the tricopper auride (Pmm) or aluminum-titanium alloy (I4/mmm) structures are stable under standard conditions.
YSn2 has unit cell sized 4.39×16.34×4.30 Å. Like DySn2, it exhibits the zirconium disilicide crystal structure: layers of yttrium rhombohedra encapsulating tin atoms alternate with flat planes of tin. Doping with nickel puckers the planes, and Mössbauer spectroscopy suggests that it removes electron density from the tin s orbitals.
Y5Sn3 has the hexagonal manganese silicide crystal structure, with unit cell 8.88×6.52×0.73 Å.
References
Tin compounds
Yttrium compounds
Intermetallics
Superconductors | Yttrium stannides | [
"Physics",
"Chemistry",
"Materials_science"
] | 408 | [
"Inorganic compounds",
"Metallurgy",
"Superconductivity",
"Alloys",
"Intermetallics",
"Condensed matter physics",
"Superconductors"
] |
76,769,780 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual%20vampire | A sexual vampire practiced esoteric Daoist sexual techniques where one partner purportedly strengthened their own body by absorbing the other partner's qi ("life force") and jing ("sexual energy") without emitting any of one's own. Practitioners believed that sexual vampirism could enable them to maintain eternal youth and become a Daoist xian ("transcendent; immortal"). However, an unwitting victim repeatedly subjected to sexual vampirism would supposedly weaken and die.
Myths about Chinese gods and immortals recount sexual vampires who allegedly became xian transcendents. For instance, after having sexual intercourse with 1,200 young women, the legendary Yellow Emperor achieved spiritual transcendence and ascended into heaven.
In Chinese erotic literature and sex manuals, intercourse is often metaphorically referred to as a "battle" or "war" of the sexes. This metaphor emphasizes the idea of one partner "defeating" the "enemy" through a caizhan (採戰, "battle of [sexual energy] absorption"). These texts are predominantly written for a male audience, guiding men to defeat their female enemy in a "sexual battle" by mastering Daoist ejaculation control. The goal is to excite the female partner until she reaches orgasm and sheds her yin essence, which the male then absorbs.
Two Chinese mythological creatures are comparable to sex vampires. A jiangshi (殭屍, "stiff corpse; hopping vampire") kills people to absorb their qi ("life force"). A hulijing (狐狸精, "fox spirit") or jiuweihu (九尾狐, "nine-tailed fox") shapeshifts into a beautiful woman who seduces men to absorb their jing ("semen; sexual essence"). In both Chinese mythology and popular literature, the themes of vampires and "other monsters avid for sperm abound" (Schipper 1982: 156).
A Chinese sexual vampire is analogous to English terms like psychic vampire, energy vampire, succubus, or incubus. These mythical beings feed on human vital forces, similar to traditional vampires (sanguinarians or hematophages) who purportedly feed on blood.
Theoretical background
The ancient Chinese belief in achieving immortality through predatory intercourse might appear outlandish to contemporary readers, but it is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese theories of qi (氣, "life force; vital breath; matter-energy"). Qi is considered the fundamental substance that animates all living beings and forms the basis of the universe. Within the human body, qi manifests through various aspects, including yin and yang, prevalent in women and men, respectively. At the moment of orgasm, people release a highly concentrated form of qi known as jing (精, "essence; sexual energy; vigor"). In men, jing is equated with semen, while in women, it is associated with vaginal lubrication or menstrual fluid (Goldin 2006: 286).
Jing and qi are part of the Three Treasures in traditional Chinese medicine, along with shen (神, "spirit; deity; god"). In neidan ("internal alchemy") practices, these Three Treasures can be transmuted sequentially (van Enckevort 2014). Using the concept of xi (吸, "suck in, suck up; absorb; inhale, breathe in; attract, draw to oneself"; DeFrancis 1996: 1016), Daoist sexual techniques posited that by absorbing a partner's genital fluids without releasing one's own, one could increase one's store of qi at the expense of the partner, who could waste away and die if the technique was overused.
Chinese bedchamber manuals aimed to teach methods of inducing orgasms in sexual partners while preventing the leakage of one's vital liquids (Goldin 2006: 286). In heterosexual intercourse, each partner would exchange their abundant aspect of qi with the other's, creating a healthy balance of yin and yang. However, in homosexual intercourse, partners would absorb the same aspect of qi they secreted, resulting in no net benefit to either (Goldin 2001: 6–7).
The theory of vampiric intercourse involved "sucking in" a partner's secretions without emitting any qi, either by suppressing orgasm or through injaculation, to extend one's lifespan (Goldin 2015: 2–3). Techniques such as coitus interruptus, coitus saxonicus (squeezing the base of the penis to induce retrograde ejaculation), and coitus reservatus (semen retention by pressing the perineum) were employed to achieve this goal.
Paul R. Goldin, a professor of Chinese Thought at the University of Pennsylvania, explains that two fundamental aspects of Chinese culture made belief in sexual vampirism possible. First, early Chinese views on sin did not consider sex sinful. Unless legally or religiously forbidden, partners were free to engage in any sexual activities they desired. This laissez-faire attitude allowed the consumption of sexual partners for nutritive purposes to be seen as no different from consuming food or medicine. Second, the "materialistic cosmology" of Chinese culture viewed people as containers of qi that a knowledgeable person could manipulate and consume for their benefit (Goldin 2006: 306–307).
Ultimately, sexual vampires, along with the underlying Chinese concepts of qi life force and jing sexual energy, are pseudoscientific. "Why should one speak of ‘sexual vampirism’, even though the topic is largely neglected by our technical texts? Is this silence not precisely what reveals the outright imaginary character of the nourishing transfer? Texts on sexual body techniques are thus being silent, where literary, fictional texts fill in the blank space with the figure of dangerous fox ghosts that seduce men in human female appearance" (Pfister 2012: 56).
Battle of the sexes
Some Daoist texts on sexual alchemy consider intercourse mainly as a means for attaining transcendence, and figuratively refer to it as a "battle". This metaphor is also common in Western literature, for example, Robin Baker's Sperm Wars. Distinctly Chinese is, however, the notion that the "victory" belongs to the sex partner who "succeeds in obtaining the other's vital essence thereby increasing one's supply of vital force" (van Gulik 1961: 157).
The arcane term cǎizhàn (採戰), first recorded in the Song dynasty (960–1279), describes the practice of sexual vampirism in which one partner tries to obtain energies at the loss of the other (Despeux 2000: 405). This word combines cai (採 or 采) translatable as "pick, pluck, gather; cull, select, choose, adopt; extract, exploit; collect, cluster; bunch up, assemble" and zhan (戰) "battle, combat; fight with weapons; clash of arms; war; struggle, contend for" (Kroll 2017: 30, 591). The unabridged monolingual Hanyu Da Cidian (Comprehensive Chinese Word Dictionary), which is lexicographically comparable to the Oxford English Dictionary, defines cǎizhàn (采战 / 採戰) as yóu cǎibǔ (犹采补 / 猶採補) "similar to caibu (采补 / 採補)", with bu "mend or patch clothing; repair, restore; remedy, redress; improve, ameliorate; add to, supplement; supplete, supply (a deficiency); replenish …" (Kroll 2017: 29), which in turn is defined as 谓汲取他人元气, 精血以补益己身 ("capturing/absorbing the energy, essence, and blood of others to nourish oneself") (Luo 1994; 6: 691–692, 10: 1307).
Various English translations of caizhan (採戰) reflect its complexity:
"plucking [of energy] in [amorous] combat" (Despeux 2000: 405)
"gathering through battle" (Despeux and Kohn 2003: 212)
"plucking battle" (Pfister 2012: 55)
"the battle of gathering" (van Enckevort 2014: 131)
"reaping the rewards of battle" (Milburn 2017: 10)
"battle of stealing essences" (Wile 2018: 5)
"battle of absorption" (Chiang 2018: 69)
Two sex-specific compounds related with caizhan are caiyin buyang (採陰補陽, "collecting yin and replenishing yang") for men and caiyang buyin (採陰補陽, "collecting yang and replenishing yin") for women.
The 2nd- or 3rd-century Sunü Jing (Classic of the Unsullied Woman) contains an early "sexual enemy" reference.
In engaging the enemy [御敵] a man should regard her as so much tiles or stone and himself as gold or jade. When his [jing] is aroused, he should immediately withdraw from her territory. One should mount [御] a woman as if riding a galloping horse with rotten reins or as if fearful of falling into a deep pit lined with knife blades. If you treasure your [jing], your life will have no limit. (Wile 1992: 85).
The translator Wile notes that this phrase yudi (御敵) is a military and sexual double entendre for "to resist the enemy" and "to have intercourse". (1992: 230).
The 5th- or 6th-century text Jiji zhenjing (既濟真經, True Classic of the Complete Union) begins, "A superior general [Daoist adept] when he [sexually] engages the enemy [woman] will first concentrate on drawing out his opponent, and as it were suck and inhale the enemy's strength. He will adopt a completely detached attitude, resembling a man who closes his eyes in utter indifference." This metaphorical extension from martial to erotic terminology is appropriate because Chinese martial arts and sexual alchemy share two common judo-like principles: begin by yielding to one's opponent to catch them off balance; conserve one's force while utilizing that of the opponent (van Gulik 1961: 278).
Yufang zhiyao and Yufang mijue
Two Han dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE) sex manuals, the Yufang zhiyao (玉房指要, Essentials of the Jade Chamber) and Yufang mijue (Secrets of the Jade Chamber), offer insights into the complex and often sexist Chinese views of sexual vampirism. These texts are part of the broader category of fangzhongshu (房中術, lit. "[bed]chamber techniques/arts", "the art of lovemaking"). The Yufang zhiyao, like most Daoist texts predominantly describes male sex vampires, while the Yufang mijue uncommonly describes female ones. Both sexological classics, along with several others such as the Sunü Jing above, were lost in China by the end of the Tang dynasty in 907, but fortunately, they were preserved in Japan as part of Tambo Yasunori's (丹波康頼) 984 Chinese medical chrestomathy Ishinpō (医心方), and those recovered textual fragments were reconstructed in the early 20th century.
The Yufang zhiyao (Essentials of the Jade Chamber) emphasizes male sexual practices, and begins by quoting the mythical Chinese Methuselah Peng Zu,
The Yellow Emperor mounted 1,200 women and thus achieved immortality, whereas the ordinary man cuts down his life with just one. Is there not a great gap between knowledge and ignorance? Those who know the tao regret only having too few opportunities for mounting. It is not always necessary to have those who are beautiful, but simply those who are young, who have not yet borne children, and who are amply covered with flesh. If one can secure but seven or eight such women, it will be of great benefit.
There is no mystery to the tao of intercourse. It is simply to be free and unhurried and to value harmony above all. Fondle her dantian and "seek to fill her mouth." Press deeply into her and move ever so slightly to induce her [qi]. When the woman feels the influence of yang there are subtle signs. Her ears become hot as if she had drunk good wine. Her breasts swell and fill the whole hand when held. She moves her neck repeatedly while her feet agitate. Becoming passionate and alluring she suddenly clasps the man's body. At this moment, draw back slightly and penetrate her shallowly. The yang will then gain [qi] at the expense of the yin. (tr. Wile 1992: 100-101).
Kristofer Schipper described this gap between knowledge and ignorance as "a mixed bag of tricks, some rather funny, but in general frankly morbid" (1982: 148).
The Yufang zhiyao (Secrets of the Jade Chamber) presents a unique perspective by describing female sexual vampirism for longevity, particularly through the figure of the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu 西王母), who supposedly had intercourse with numerous young boys and consumed their yang life force, thereby cultivating her yin sexual energy and becoming a transcendent and famed goddess. Jolan Chang interprets this "somewhat apocryphal" story to indicate that the Queen Mother had all the characteristics of a vampire and conformed with the cross-cultural trope of the femme fatale (or "vamp", a clipping of "vampire"). (Chang 1977: 73-74).
Nevertheless, other passages in this same text follow the tradition of male-centric sexual vampirism (Goldin 2006: 288). The one directly preceding the Queen Mother passage is an excellent example.
To frequently change female partners brings increased benefit. More than ten partners in one night is especially good. If one constantly has intercourse with the same woman, her [jingqi] will become weak, and this is not only of no great benefit to the man, but will cause her to become thin and emaciated." (tr. Wile 1992: 102).
The Daoist canonical tradition represents the Queen Mother of the West as the goddess of immortality who resides on mythical Mount Kunlun, where she served the famous Peaches of Immortality to human and divine guests. In stark contrast, the Yufang mijue sexually represents her as a woman who "attained eternal youth and transcendency through a combination of sexual techniques designed to suck the vitality from her male partners", which suggests that sexual vampirism will allow any woman who follows its instructions "to achieve transcendency at the cost of the ill-health of any man unfortunate enough to fall into her clutches." (Milburn 2017: 10–11)
It is not only yang that can be cultivated, but yin too. The Queen Mother of the West cultivated her yin and attained the [dao]. As soon as she had intercourse with a man he would immediately take sick, while her complexion would become radiant without the use of rouge or powder. She always ate curds and plucked the "five stringed lute" thereby harmonizing her heart, concentrating her mind, and was without any other desire. The Queen Mother had no husband but was fond of intercourse with young boys. Therefore, this cannot be an orthodox teaching; but can the Queen Mother be alone in this?
When having intercourse with men, you must calm the heart and still the mind. If the man is not yet fully aroused, you must wait for his [qi] to arrive and slightly restrain your emotion to attune yourself to him. Do not move or become agitated lest your [yinjing] become exhausted first. If your [yinjing] becomes exhausted first, this leaves one in a deficient state and susceptible to cold wind illnesses. …
If a woman knows the way of cultivating her yin and causing the two [qi] to unite harmoniously, then it may be transformed into a male child. If she is not having intercourse for the sake of offspring, she can divert the fluids to flow back into the hundred vessels. By using yang to nourish yin, the hundred ailments disappear, one's color becomes radiant and the flesh fine. One can enjoy long life and be forever like a youth. If a woman is able to master this [dao] and have frequent intercourse with men, she can fast for nine days without knowing hunger. Those who are sick and have sexual relations with ghosts are able to fast but become emaciated. How much more can we expect from intercourse with men? (Wile 1992: 102-103)
According to Paul R. Goldin, this Yufang mijue sexual vampiristic account of the Queen Mother's "apotheosis is radically amoral, non-Daoist, and this-worldly". It is amoral because there is no suggestion that she "attained her divinity on account of moral excellence or virtuous conduct", and she was originally an ordinary woman, but was able to harness the "extraordinary power" afforded by Daoist sexual practices (2006: 289). This account is non-Daoist because it contradicts orthodox teachings. For instance, the early Way of the Celestial Master Xiang'er Daodejing commentary criticizes sexual techniques such as those given in the Secrets of the Jade Chamber.
The Way teaches human beings to congeal their essence and make spirits. In the present generation there are those who practice counterfeit arts and slyly call them the Way, teaching by means of the texts of the Yellow Emperor, the Dark Maiden, Master Gong, and Rongcheng. When engaged with a woman, they do not ejaculate, but think they can circulate their essence [through their bodies] and cause it to fortify their brains. But because their mind and spirit are not at one [with the Way], they lose what they try to preserve; though they store up their pleasure, they cannot treasure it for long (Goldin 2006: 292).
And it is "this-worldly" or material immortality. Sexual vampirism was conceived as one of several "nourishing life" methods of attaining this-worldly immortality in China, along with neidan and waidan alchemy, dietary regimens, grain avoidance, daoyin gymnastics, meditation, embryonic breathing, and circulating breath (Goldin 2006: 306).
The "Yufang zhiyao" and "Yufang mijue" offer valuable glimpses into the historical intersections of sexuality, health, and spirituality in Daoist traditions.
Xia Ji
Lady Xia Ji (夏姬, fl. 600-589 BCE) was a legendarily beautiful seductress who had numerous lovers and several husbands. Chinese histories record that she openly engaged in group sex with Duke Ling of Chen (陳靈公, r. 613-599 BCE) and two of his court officials. Xia Zhengshu (夏徵舒), the son of Xia Ji and her husband Xia Yushu (夏御叔), subsequently killed the duke for joking about which of her sex partners was his biological father. According to the sinologist Olivia Milburn, Xia Ji was traditionally considered one of the "most wicked women of Chinese antiquity" (2017: 1).
For centuries, Xia Ji was a literary Chinese trope for a femme fatale. For instance, the Xi jing fu (西京賦, "Western Metropolis Rhapsody" by Zhang Heng (78–139 CE): "They snuggled together on a narrow mat in the center of the hall, And feathered goblets made the rounds countless times. Rarely seen dances were performed in succession; Marvelous talents showed off their skills. Their bewitching magic was more seductive than that of Xia Ji" (tr. Knechtges 1982: 237). David R. Knechtges says, "She was married seven times, and even in old age she attracted men." (1982: 236).
Then in the late Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Xia Ji became the subject of a popular erotic novel. The c. 1610-1620 Zhulin yeshi (Unofficial History of the Bamboo Grove) portrayed her as using esoteric sexual vampirism to kill her lovers, each of whom she gradually sucked dry of vital energy, to maintain her eternal youth and become a Daoist transcendent.
In Chinese history, the earliest textual references to Xia Ji are from the c. 4th-century BCE Zuozhuan (Zuo's Commentary) to the c. 5th-century BCE Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals) historical chronicle; compare the c. 18 BCE Lienu zhuan historical references to Xia Ji, discussed here. The missionary James Legge, the first English-language translator of the Zuozhuan, condemned Xia Ji as "Xia Zhengshu's mother, a widow, was a vile woman, and was carrying on a licentious connexion with the marquis of Chen and two of his ministers at the same time. The things which are related about the four are inexpressibly filthy." (Legge 1872 V: 49, standardized to pinyin romanization).
The Zuozhuan entry for 600 BCE (Xuan 9) describes Xia Ji's infamous orgy in the court of Duke Ling of Chen (陳靈公, 613-599) with his officials Kong Ning (孔寧) and Yi Xingfu/Hangfu (儀行父).
Lord Ling of Chen together with Kong Ning and Yi Xingfu engaged in an illicit sexual relationship with Lady Xia Ji and they all wore her underwear in order to make a joke at court. Xie Ye [洩冶] remonstrated: "For a ruler and his ministers to announce their debauchery gives the people no model to follow and your reputation will be ruined. Your lordship should put an end to it." His lordship said: "I can reform [my behavior]." His lordship reported this to the two other men and they requested permission to kill him. His lordship did not forbid them to do so, so they murdered Xie Ye. (Milburn 2017: 3)
The entry for 599 BCE (Xuan 10) records that Xia Ji's son Zhengshu assassinated Duke Ling for joking that his father was not Yushu, but Ling, Kong, or Yi.
Lord Ling of Chen was drinking wine at the Xia house with Kong Ning and Yi Xingfu. His lordship said to Xingfu: "[Xia] Zhengshu looks like you." He replied: "He also looks like your lordship." [Xia] Zhengshu was enraged by this. His lordship went out, and [Xia Zhengshu] shot him dead from his stables. The two other men fled to Chu. (Milburn 2017: 4)
The Zuozhuan entry for 589 BCE (Cheng 2) narrates how both King Zhuang of Chu (r. 613-591 BCE) and his brother Prince Zifan (子反) were infatuated with Xia Ji and wanted to make her his concubine, but a harem official named Wu Chen (巫臣) successfully remonstrated against it. The king afterward presented her in marriage to a minor official named Xiang Lao (襄老), and after his death, she began having incestuous sex with her stepson Xiang Heiyao (襄黑要), who became her third husband. After Chu conquered Chen, King Zhuang sentenced Duke Ling's murderer Xia Zhengshu to death by julie (車裂, "attaching five chariots to a convict's head and four limbs and tearing him to pieces").
When Chu punished the Xia family of Chen, King Zhuang wanted to take Lady Xia Ji into his own harem. Shengong Wu Chen said: "You cannot do this. When you summoned the other lords, it was to punish the guilty. If you now take Lady Xia Ji into your own household, then you are greedy for her beauty. If you are greedy for her beauty, then you are debauched. Debauchery will result in terrible punishments. … Your majesty should consider this!" His majesty then stopped. Zifan wanted to take her. Wu Chen said: "This is an inauspicious person. It is she who made the Honorable Man die young, who killed Yushu, murdered Lord Ling, brought Xia [Zi]nan to the scaffold, forced Kong [Ning] and Yi [Xingfu] into exile and brought tragedy to the state of Chen. When has there been such an unlucky person? It is hard enough to survive; why should you suffer a premature demise? There are lots of beautiful women in the world, so why does it have to be this one?" (Milburn 2017: 4-5)
Milburn translates Ziman or Zi Man or (子蠻) as "Honorable Man"—where Man means a "southern ethnic group" rather than a "man"—and notes that Zuo zhuan commentators are divided about whether the name refers to Xia Ji's brother or her first husband. Du Yu suggested that Man (蠻) was the zi (字, "courtesy name") of Xia Ji's half-brother Lord Ling of Zheng (鄭靈公, r. 605 BCE) before his accession, however, another Zuozhuan context gives his courtesy name as Hao (貉). Compare "She brought [her brother] Ziman, to an early death" (Legge 1872 V: 347). Yang Bojun hypothesized that Man was Xia Ji's previously unknown first husband, making Lord Yushu (御叔) her second, despite the absence of corroborating textual references to him (Milburn 2017: 5).
Lastly, the harem official Wu Chen who advised King Zhuang and Prince Zifan against making Xia Ji a concubine, wanted to marry her himself and they fled to Jin and then Wu. In the Zuozhuan, "Lady Xia Ji married at least four times and had four recorded illicit sexual relationships, one of which was an incestuous affair with her stepson" (Milburn 2017: 6).
In Chinese literature, a Ming dynasty (1368–1644) erotic novel repopularized the femme fatale Xia Ji. The c. 1610-1620 Zhulin yeshi (Unofficial History of the Bamboo Grove) made Lady Xia Ji the basis for the main protagonist named Su'e (素娥), an allusion to the contemporary Ming pornographic novel Su'e pian (Chapters of Su'e). Set in around 600 BCE during the Spring and Autumn period (770-481 BCE), Su'e was a young unmarried woman who dreamed that the Daoist transcendent Hua Yue (華月) taught her esoteric techniques of love-making, and gave her a sex manual entitled Sunǚ caizhan zhi shu (素女採戰之術, the Plain Girl's Arts for Reaping the Rewards of Battle) (Milburn 2017: 9-10).
A similar story is found in the c. 2nd-century CE Liexian Zhuan (Biographies of Exemplary Transcendents), which has the earliest known example of a woman "achieving first eternal youth and then transcendency through esoteric sexual practices with multiple partners"(Milburn 2017: 10). It records a woman named Nü Wan (女丸) or occasionally Nü Ji (女几) who learned esoteric sexual practices after an anonymous transcendent gave her a text entitled Sunǚ jing (素女經, The Plain Girl's Classic). The original Chinese reads: nei xie jishu, gai lao er fu zhuang zhe, (內挾伎術 蓋老而復壯者, "[Lady Xia Ji] was someone who [had mastered] the techniques of internal compression, whereby even though she was old she could restore her youth." (Milburn 2017: 11).
First using her newfound sexual techniques to retain her youthful appearance throughout her life (Milburn 2017: 10); she then seduced multiple men until she was stopped by a rival Daoist master who became her lover and joined her in their quest for spiritual transcendence (Mair 2010: 665). "Such themes were a staple of early Chinese erotic literature, and were closely related to a heterodox tradition in which the achievement of transcendency was completely divorced from moral cultivation." (Milburn 2017: 10).
In the course of the narrative every single man who has a sexual relationship with Lady Xia Ji dies. This theme might suggest that she is being portrayed as a kind of sexual vampire, draining vitality from the men with whom she has sex. However, the vampire motif is developed only in the case of her first two human sexual partners: her half-brother, the Honorable Man of Zheng, and her first husband. Subsequently, Lord Ling of Chen is murdered by Lady Xia Ji's irate son, Kong Ning and Yi Xingfu find themselves the victims of vengeful ghosts, her second husband dies in battle, his son is beheaded for the crime of committing incest with his stepmother, Wu Chen and Luan Shu (欒書) are both executed for the crime of wife-swapping (Milburn 2017: 15).
In the novel's conclusion, Lady Xia Ji has acquired a disciple, a young woman of high social status like herself; the wife of the minister Luan Shu. This young woman is foolish enough to be tempted into a sexual relationship with Wu Chen, who victimized her, "Wu Chen being as much of a vampire as his wife." (Milburn 2017: 19).
Van Gulik's influence
Robert van Gulik, a Dutch diplomat, orientalist, and author, made significant contributions to the understanding of traditional Chinese sexuality through his seminal works, Erotic Colour Prints of the Ming Period (1951) and Sexual Life in Ancient China; A Preliminary Survey of Chinese Sex and Society from ca. 1500 B.C. till 1644 A.D. (1961, 2nd ed. 2003). In these works, van Gulik delved into the complex and often misunderstood aspects of ancient Chinese sexual customs, and was the first scholar to call Daoist sexual practices "sexual vampirism"
Theoretical complications underlying his scholarship have been criticized by scholars such as Charlotte Furth: "Van Gulik's message to his mid-twentieth-century English-speaking reader was that traditional Chinese sexual norms were healthy, neither 'repressed' nor 'perverted'. Van Gulik's criteria here are those of Freudian discourse: what is repressive is abstinence, while perversions divert libido away from its proper genital outlets or channel it into sadomasochistic cruelties." (Furth 1993: 127).
Van Gulik's interest in this field began during his posting to the Netherlands Embassy in Tokyo in 1949, when he obtained a set of Chinese original printing woodblocks for a rare Ming dynasty erotic picture album. His initial plan was to publish them in a limited edition, and add a brief preface on the "historical background of Chinese erotic art." However, upon beginning to research ancient Chinese sexual life and customs, he found that there was a paucity of serious literature available, either in Chinese sources (owing to "excessive prudery" during the Qing dynasty) or in Western sinological publications. The materials van Gulik assembled and examined convinced him that "the current foreign conception of the depraved and abnormal sexual habits of the ancient Chinese was completely wrong." In 1951, he privately published Erotic Colour Prints in a limited edition, distributing copies to academic institutions worldwide to ensure the content remained accessible only to qualified readers. (2003: xxxi-xxxii). Due to his concerns about limiting readership, van Gulik's English translations of sexually explicit Chinese passages were rendered in Latin; an attitude that Goldin says "smacks of elitism and is clearly outmoded today" (2003: xvi).
The pioneering scholar's 1951 Erotic Colour Prints referred to "sexual vampirism" in two contexts. The first described the metaphorical "battle" of the sexes:
These alchemists considered woman as the "enemy" because through her causing the man to emit semen, she robs him of his precious Yang essence. This conception resulted in woman being degraded to a mere source of supply of the coveted Yin essence. The Art of the Bedchamber as the alchemists interpreted it was a kind of cruel sexual vampirism. They believed not only that absorbing large quantities of Yin essence from the women they copulated with could lengthen their years and rejuvenate them, but also that the Elixir of Immortality resided in the "Original Femininity" [yuanpin] 元牝. This mysterious substance they described as concentrated, inactivated Yin essence, that could be extracted from the vaginal secretions especially of a young virgin. This substance could be tapped by performing the sexual act in a special way, or also be extracted from the woman by artificial means. Accordingly the alchemists engaged in various revolting and cruel experiments which not seldom caused the death of the unfortunate victim. … The sexual vampirism of the Taoist alchemists must be considered as quite apart from the Art of the Bedchamber, which, contrary to the allegations of later Confucianist writers, is by no means peculiar to Taoism. (van Gulik 1951: 11-13)
The second context elaborates upon the first,
… Taoist alchemical treatise where the sexual act is considered exclusively as a means for attaining immortality. Above I referred to these depraved practices as "sexual vampirism." The Taoist teachings relating to this subject, however, bear a vicious character. They have nothing to do with love, not even with the satisfying of carnal desire or with sexual pleasure. These teachings preach a kind of sexual black magic, aimed at acquiring supernatural power at the expense of the sexual partner. (van Gulik 1951: 68-69).
Although van Gulik popularized "sexual vampire" referring to Chinese sexual acts, he but did not coin the term. For instance, Arthur Eustace Morgan wrote, "Her heart has yearned for maternal love; but suddenly the idealized picture has dissolved and clearly and unmistakably there stands out the figure of a sexual vampire, Mrs. Warren—procuress." (Morgan 1924: 46).
Van Gulik's portrayal of Daoist sexual practices was not without controversy. In 1954, Joseph Needham, the eminent historian of science and technology in China, and his international group of collaborators began publishing the monumental series "Science and Civilisation in China". When Needham independently started researching ancient Daoist sexual alchemy, he read van Gulik's 1951 book and disagreed with some of its remarks, especially concerning "sexual vampirism". The two scholars subsequently corresponded, as described in the second volume of Science and Civilisation in China, which praises van Gulik's Erotic Colour Prints as an "excellent book". Needham notes that, "The only difference in our conclusions is that I think van Gulik's estimate of the Taoist theories and practices in his book (e.g. pp. 11, 69) was in general too unfavourable; aberrations were few and exceptional. Dr. van Gulik and I are now in agreement on the subject (personal communication)." (Needham 1956: 146, fn. f.)
Van Gulik's preface to 1961 Sexual Life provides more information about their correspondence.
[Needham] consulted the copy of my book which I had presented to the library of his university, and found himself in disagreement with my unfavourable remarks on certain Taoist sexual disciplines. I must confess that those Taoist practices had rather shocked me at first and as a reaction I had characterized them as "sexual vampirism." Although when studying these matters as a layman it is difficult to maintain always the proper detached attitude of mind, I went much too far in stating that Taoist thought had exercised a detrimental influence on the treatment and position of women in ancient China. Needham pointed out to me in private correspondence that on the contrary Taoism had on the whole enhanced the position of Chinese women in general. Needham showed me that my interpretation of Taoist data had been too narrow, and that his broader views were indeed right. (2003: xxxiii)
Needham was already a world-famous scholar, while van Gulik was a diplomat who collected art and wrote books, for example, the Judge Dee historical mysteries (Goldin 2001: 1270). By accepting Needham's "broader views", Van Gulik augmented his belief that Chinese sexual practices were not "depraved." Goldin says, "But with hindsight, we can see today that Van Gulik's earlier thoughts on the matter were more judicious, and it is a pity that he allowed himself to be hectored." (2003: xxii).
Despite van Gulik's agreement with Needham's opinion, his 1961 Sexual Life still refers to sex vampires in two circumstances. The former uses "sexual vampirism" to describe two erotic Ming dynasty novels. In the Zhulin yeshi (竹林野史, Unofficial History of the Bamboo Garden), "the teachings of the old handbooks of sex are Debased to a kind of sexual vampirism", and the Zhaoyang chushi (朝陽初時, Birth of the Morning Sun) blends plot elements of "sexual vampirism, a perversion of the old Taoist disciplines" and fox-lore (1961: 316, 317). The latter mentions sex vampires along with mythological fox spirits, hulijing (狐狸精, "fox spirit") or jiuweihu (九尾狐, "nine-tailed fox"), was believed capable of shapeshifting into a beautiful young woman to seduce men and absorb their jing ("semen; life-essence"). If a nocturnal emission is "induced by the man seeing a woman in his dreams, he must be on his guard against that woman if he actually meets her, for she may be a vampire or a fox-spirit." (van Gulik 1961: 48). Voluntary celibacy for men and women was viewed with contempt and sharply denounced, particularly celibate women who "were suspected of being vampires or harbouring nefarious designs, and they were often persecuted …" (van Gulik 1961: 50).
Robert van Gulik's pioneering studies opened a window into the complex sexual culture of ancient China, challenging stereotypes and offering a nuanced perspective that continues to influence modern sinology.
See also
Jiangshi, Chinese "hopping" vampire
Jiutian Xuannü, Chinese goddess of sexuality and longevity
List of vampires
Vampire folklore by region
Vampire literature
References
Chang, Jolan (1977) The Tao of Love and Sex, The Ancient Chinese Way to Ecstasy, E. P. Dutton.
Chiang, Howard (2018), Sexuality in China: histories of power and pleasure, University of Washington Press.
DeFrancis, John, genl. ed. (1996), ABC Chinese-English Dictionary, University of Hawaii Press.
Despeux, Catherine (2000), "Women in Daoism," in Daoism Handbook, ed. by Livia Kohn, E. J. Brill, 384–412.
van Enckevort, Paul (2014), "The Three Treasures: An Enquiry into the Writings of Wu Shouyang," Journal of Daoist Studies 7.1:117-145.
Furth, Charlotte, (1994), "Rethinking Van Gulik: Sexuality and Reproduction in Traditional Chinese Medicine," in C.K. Gilmartin, G. Hershatter, L. Rofel and T. White (eds.), Engendering China: Women, Culture, and the State, Harvard University Press, 25–46.
Goldin, Paul Rakita (2001), The Culture of Sex in Ancient China, University of Hawai‘i Press.
Goldin, Paul R. (2003), "Introduction" in van Gulik (2003: xiii-xxv).
Goldin, Paul R. (2006), "The Cultural and Religious Background of Sexual Vampirism in Ancient China," Theology and Sexuality 12.3: 287–310.
Goldin, Paul R. (2015), " Sexuality: ancient China", in The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality, ed. by Patricia Whelehan and Anne Bolin, John Wiley & Sons, 1115–1354.
van Gulik, Robert Hans (1951), data/46990.pdf Erotic Colour Prints of the Ming Period, privately printed.
van Gulik, Robert Hans (1961), Sexual Life in Ancient China; a Preliminary Survey of Chinese Sex and Society from ca. 1500 B.C. till 1644 A.D., Brill; (2003) 2nd edition, ed. by Paul R. Goldin, Brill.
Heubel, Fabian (2004),"Nengliang de xixue zhuyi-Liouta, Fuke, Delezhi yu Zhongguo fangzhongshu, 能量的吸血主義 — 李歐塔、傅柯、德勒茲與中國房中術, Energetic vampirism — Lyotard, Foucault, Deleuze and the Chinese art of the bedchamber", Bulletin of Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy, Academia Sinica 25: 259–286.
Judy, Ron S. (2015), "The Semen in the Subject Deferral of Enjoyment and the Postmodernist Taoist Ars Erotica The Semen in the Subject: Deferral of Enjoyment and the Postmodernist Taoist Ars Erotica", The Comparatist 39: 135–152.
Knechtges, David R., tr. (1982), Wen Xuan, Or, Selections of Refined Literature, Volume 1, Rhapsodies on Metropolises and Capitals, Princeton University Press.
Kroll, Paul W. (2017), A Student's Dictionary of Classical and Medieval Chinese (rev. ed.), E.J. Brill.
Legge, James (1872), The Ch'un Ts'ew, with the Tso Chuen, The Chinese Classics V, Trübner.
Luo Zhufeng (羅竹風), chief ed., (1994), Hanyu da cidian ("Comprehensive Dictionary of Chinese"), 13 vols., Shanghai cishu chubanshe.
Milburn, Olivia (2017), "The Legend of Lady Xia Ji: Two Late Ming Dynasty Portrayals of an Ancient Chinese "Femme Fatale"", Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews 39: 1-25.
Morgan, Arthur Eustace (1924), Tendencies of Modern English Drama, Constable.
Needham, Joseph and Wang Ling (1956), Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 2, History of Scientific Thought, Cambridge University Press.
Pfister, Rodo (2012), "Gendering Sexual Pleasures in Early and Medieval China", Asian Medicine 7 (2012) 34–64.
Pfister, Rodo (2022), "The sexual body techniques of early and medieval China – underlying emic theories and basic methods of a non-reproductive sexual scenario for non-same-sex partners", in Routledge Handbook of Chinese Medicine, ed. by Vivienne Lo and Michael Stanley-Baker, 337–355.
Rocha, L. A. (2022), "The Question of Sex and Modernity in China, Part 2" From New Ageism to Sexual Cultivation," in Routledge Handbook of Chinese Medicine, ed. by Vivienne Lo and Michael Stanley-Baker, 389-399.
Schipper, Kristofer M. (1993), The Taoist Body, tr. Karen C. Duval, University of California Press.
Wile, Douglas (1992), Art of the Bedchamber: The Chinese Sexual Yoga Classics, Including Women's Solo Meditation Texts, State University of New York.
Wile, Douglas (2018), "Debaters of the Bedchamber: China Reexamines Ancient Sexual Practices", JOMEC Journal 12: 5–69.
External links
Sex in Ancient China, interview with Paul R. Goldin.
卷第二十八房内, Within the Bedchamber, Japanese Ishinpō (醫心方) chapter 28, Chinese Text Project
Qin Yuhan (2017), A Political Fantasy: Female Images in the Late Ming-Dynasty Chinese Erotic Paintings, Tufts University thesis.
Sex manuals
Sexology
Sexual acts
Sexuality in China
Taoist practices
Vampires
Vampirism | Sexual vampire | [
"Biology"
] | 9,488 | [
"Behavior",
"Sexual acts",
"Sexology",
"Behavioural sciences",
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] |
76,769,820 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic%20map%20function | In genetics, mapping functions are used to model the relationship between map distances (measured in map units or centimorgans) and recombination frequencies, particularly as these measurements relate to regions encompassed between genetic markers. One utility of this approach is that it allows one to obtain values for distances in genetic mapping units directly from recombination fractions, as map distances cannot typically be obtained from empirical experiments.
The simplest mapping function is the Morgan Mapping Function, eponymously devised by Thomas Hunt Morgan. Other well-known mapping functions include the Haldane Mapping Function introduced by J. B. S. Haldane in 1919, and the Kosambi Mapping Function introduced by Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi in 1944. Few mapping functions are used in practice other than Haldane and Kosambi. The main difference between them is in how crossover interference is incorporated.
Morgan Mapping Function
Where d is the distance in map units, the Morgan Mapping Function states that the recombination frequency r can be expressed as . This assumes that one crossover occurs, at most, in an interval between two loci, and that the probability of the occurrence of this crossover is proportional to the map length of the interval.
Where d is the distance in map units, the recombination frequency r can be expressed as:
The equation only holds when as, otherwise, recombination frequency would exceed 50%. Therefore, the function cannot approximate recombination frequencies beyond short distances.
Haldane Mapping Function
Overview
Two properties of the Haldane Mapping Function is that it limits recombination frequency up to, but not beyond 50%, and that it represents a linear relationship between the frequency of recombination and map distance up to recombination frequencies of 10%. It also assumes that crossovers occur at random positions and that they do so independent of one another. This assumption therefore also assumes no crossover interference takes place; but using this assumption allows Haldane to model the mapping function using a Poisson distribution.
Definitions
r = recombination frequency
d = mean number of crossovers on a chromosomal interval
2d = mean number of crossovers for a tetrad
e-2d = probability of no genetic exchange in a chromosomal interval
Formula
Inverse
Kosambi Mapping Function
Overview
The Kosambi mapping function was introduced to account for the impact played by crossover interference on recombination frequency. It introduces a parameter C, representing the coefficient of coincidence, and sets it equal to 2r. For loci which are strongly linked, interference is strong; otherwise, interference decreases towards zero. Interference declines according to the linear function i = 1 - 2r.
Formula
Inverse
Comparison and application
Below 10% recombination frequency, there is little mathematical difference between different mapping functions and the relationship between map distance and recombination frequency is linear (that is, 1 map unit = 1% recombination frequency). When genome-wide SNP sampling and mapping data is present, the difference between the functions is negligible outside of regions of high recombination, such as recombination hotspots or ends of chromosomes.
While many mapping functions now exist, in practice functions other than Haldane and Kosambi are rarely used. More specifically, the Haldane function is preferred when distance between markers is relatively small, whereas the Kosambi function is preferred when distances between markers is larger and crossovers need to be accounted for.
References
Further reading
Bailey, N.T.J., 1961 Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Genetic Linkage. Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Equations
Genetics | Genetic map function | [
"Mathematics",
"Biology"
] | 744 | [
"Mathematical objects",
"Genetics",
"Equations"
] |
76,772,393 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didymella%20aliena | Didymella aliena is a species of fungus belonging to the family Didymellaceae, that lives as an opportunistic pathogen on several species of plants worldwide. First described in 1823 by Swedish mycologist and botanist, Elias Magnus Fries, the species has undergone several name changes and been found worldwide.
Etymology
The species was first described as Sphaeria aliena in 1823 by Elias Fries in the Systema mycologicum. In this book several species were named that would eventually undergo several name changes and replacements over the next 200+ years. The species would be revisited once again in Contributions towards a monograph of Phoma where several pathogenic fungi were placed within the Phoma genus based on conidia size. This would include S. aliena due to its conidia being 7 micrometers long. Then one of the same authors published another paper in 2009 called Molecular phylogeny of Phoma and allied anamorph genera where Didymellaceae was divided into three main genera: Phoma, Didymella, and Ascoschyta. Finally, The most up to date name change was published in Resolving the Phoma Enigma where scientist used genetics to find out that the Phoma genus is polyphyletic and placed Phoma aliena into the genus Didymella to become Didymella aliena.
Distribution
There have been several publications of D. aliena being found around the world. A recent study in Tbilisi, Georgia found that D. aliena was found on diseased material in coniferous forests. In a recently published survey of D. aliena, was when it was found in northern Greece 2024 on rotting pomegranates for the first time. According to GlobalFungi D. aliena has also been found on all seven continents.
Pathology
D. aliena is an opportunistic pathogen on several different species of plants. On pomegranate they cause large darkening spots on the fruits. This species is also one of several that cause the disease phomosis in plants.
References
Further reading
Didymella aliena (DIDYAL)[Overview] - Fungi - EPPO Q-Bank
Didymella aliena (Fr.) Qian Chen & L. Cai, in Chen, Jiang, Zhang, Cai & Crous, Stud. Mycol. 82: 173 (2015) Index Fungorum - Names Record
Hyde, K. D., et al. "Mycosphere notes 169–224." Mycosphere 9.2 (2018): 271-430.
Fungal plant pathogens and diseases
Fungi described in 1823
Fungus species
Pleosporales | Didymella aliena | [
"Biology"
] | 538 | [
"Fungi",
"Fungus species"
] |
76,772,557 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC%201166 | IC 1166 are a pair of galaxies in the Corona Borealis constellation comprising IC 1166 NED01 and IC 1166 NED02. They are located 977 million light-years from the Solar System and were discovered on July 28, 1892, by Stephane Javelle.
Galaxies
IC 1166 NED01
IC 1166 NED01 or PGC 56771 is a type E elliptical galaxy. Located above IC 1166 NED02, it has a diameter of approximately 110,000 light-years. PGC 56771 has an active nucleus and it is classified as a Seyfert type 1 galaxy. It has a quasar-like appearance, but its host clearly seen and presents two sets of emission lines which are superimposed on each other. PGC 56771 is classified a Markarian galaxy (designated Mrk 867), because compared to other galaxies its nucleus emits excessive amounts of ultraviolet rays. It has a surface brightness of 23.2 magnitude and, located at right ascension (16:02:08.92) and declination (26:19:45.60) respectively.
IC 1166 NED02
IC 1166 NED02 or PGC 1771884 is a type SBbc spiral galaxy. Located below IC 1166 NED01, it has an approximate diameter of 160,000 light-years making it slightly larger compared to the other galaxy and does not have an active galactic nucleus. PGC 1771884 has a surface brightness of 23.4 magnitude and, a right ascension of (16:02:08.83) and declination (26:19:31.20).
References
1166
Corona Borealis
Spiral galaxies
Elliptical galaxies
Astronomical objects discovered in 1892
Seyfert galaxies
0867
056771
2MASS objects
SDSS objects | IC 1166 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 379 | [
"Corona Borealis",
"Constellations"
] |
76,772,783 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC%201182 | IC 1182 is a type S0-a lenticular galaxy located in Hercules. It is located 464 million light-years away from the Solar System and was discovered on August 11, 1892, by Stephane Javelle. IC 1198 is a member of the Hercules Cluster, which is a part of the CfA 2 Great Wall.
Description
IC 1182 was originally classified as a Seyfert type 2 galaxy but later, research shows it is an unusual and rare galaxy in some kind of merger event. A jet which is extending out from the center in an easterly direction is composed of kinetic material. There is a broad, faint S-shaped plume and debris on the other side of the galaxy. IC 1182 radiates a lot of energy and ejects a substantial amount of material at high velocity. In its central region, clusters of O-type hot blue stars are present.
An ongoing merger?
IC 1182 shows high resolution broad and narrow band images and long slit spectroscopy. It reveals a distorted morphology with a heavily obscured disk-link structure with several knots in its regions. Some of the galactic material, in the form of two slender tails are detected beyond the main body of the galaxy. IC 1182 has color indices of an early type object which is significantly bluer than what is typical for this kind of galaxy. The narrow lines show this galaxy is a powerful emitter and the knots in the central region and inside the tail emerging eastward from the galaxy are luminous in Hα and have typical sizes of 1 kpc.
Additionally, IC 1182 contains large quantities of neural hydrogen which its distance-independent ratio of hydrogen mass to optical luminosity is equal to 0.7 times the solar ratio. This could indicate it might be involved in a collision involving a gas-rich spiral galaxy which gives rise to observed nuclear emission lines.
References
1182
10192
Markarian galaxies
057084
Astronomical objects discovered in 1892
Hercules (constellation)
057084
SDSS objects
2MASS objects
Lenticular galaxies
Hercules Cluster | IC 1182 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 414 | [
"Hercules (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
76,772,883 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafnium%20nitrides | The hafnium nitrides are the various salts produced from combining hafnium and nitrogen. The two most important such are hafnium(III) nitride, HfN; and hafnium(IV) nitride, Hf3N4. None can be prepared from hafnium oxide, but must instead be prepared from the elemental metal or a different hafnium nitride salt; attempted nitridation of the oxide gives an oxynitride instead.
HfN is refractory and generally produced as a thin film coating, although zone annealing gives the bulk material. HfN adopts the rock-salt crystal structure. The surplus hafnium electron delocalizes, so that HfN is a metal, conducting at room temperature and superconducting below . Its bright gold color is a cheaper alternative to gilding.
The dark red semiconductor Hf3N4 does not form at room temperature, but requires high pressure, high temperature synthesis in a diamond anvil cell. At and , it adopts the cubic crystal structure and repeats according to space group I3d. At lower pressures, the cubic structure is believed metastable, decaying to the orthorhombic structure of zirconium(IV) nitride. That structure forms outright at 19 GPa and , and another metastable tetragonal structure forms at 12 GPa and . Computational studies suggest that it may catalyze polymerization of nitrogen at very high temperatures, through a catenary anion in HfN10.
In systems with limited nitrogen, hafnium also forms Hf3N2, as well as a solid solution hafnium alloy.
References
Hafnium compounds
Nitrides
Salts
Refractory materials | Hafnium nitrides | [
"Physics",
"Chemistry"
] | 365 | [
"Refractory materials",
"Materials",
"Matter",
"Salts"
] |
76,773,020 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online%20matrix-vector%20multiplication%20problem | In computational complexity theory, the online matrix-vector multiplication problem (OMv) asks an online algorithm to return, at each round, the product of an matrix and a newly-arrived -dimensional vector. OMv is conjectured to require roughly cubic time. This conjectured hardness implies lower bounds on the time needed to solve various dynamic problems and is of particular interest in fine-grained complexity.
Definition
In OMv, an algorithm is given an integer and an Boolean matrix . The algorithm then runs for rounds, and at each round receives an -dimensional Boolean vector and must return the product (before continuing to round ).
An algorithm is said to solve OMv if, with probability at least over the randomness of the algorithm, it returns the product at every round .
Variants of OMv
The online vector-matrix-vector problem (OuMv) is a variant of OMv where the algorithm receives, at each round , two Boolean vectors and , and returns the product . This version has the benefit of returning a Boolean value at each round instead of a vector of an -dimensional Boolean vector. The hardness of OuMv is implied by the hardness of OMv.
More heavily parameterized variants of OMv are also used, where the matrix is not necessarily square and where the dimension of each vector is not necessarily equal to the number of rounds.
Conjectured hardness
In 2015, Henzinger, Krinninger, Nanongkai, and Saranurak conjectured that OMv cannot be solved in "truly subcubic" time. Formally, they presented the following conjecture:
Algorithms for solving OMv
OMv can be solved in time by a naive algorithm that, in each of the rounds, multiplies the matrix and the new vector in time. A faster algorithm for OMv is implied by a result of Williams and runs in time . The fastest known algorithm for OMv runs in time , due to Larsen and Williams.
Implications of conjectured hardness
The OMv conjecture implies lower bounds on the time needed to solve a large class of dynamic graph problems, including reachability and connectivity, shortest path, and subgraph detection. For many of these problems, the implied lower bounds have matching upper bounds. While some of these lower bounds also followed from previous conjectures (e.g., 3SUM), many of the lower bounds that follow from OMv are stronger or new.
Later work showed that the OMv conjecture implies lower bounds on the time needed for subgraph counting in average-case graphs.
Lower bounds from OMv
Several lower bounds for dynamic problems follow from the OMv conjecture. Examples of tight lower bounds include the following.
Pagh's problem on subsets from a size- universe requires linear time.
Determining s-t reachability for a (worst-case) dynamic graph on a graph with nodes and edges requires time.
Counting 4-cycles in average-case, dynamic graphs with nodes requires time.
Counting length-5 paths in average-case, dynamic graphs with nodes requires time.
References
Problems in computer science
Computational problems | Online matrix-vector multiplication problem | [
"Mathematics"
] | 624 | [
"Unsolved problems in computer science",
"Unsolved problems in mathematics",
"Mathematical problems",
"Computational problems"
] |
76,773,091 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC%201185 | IC 1185 is a type Sab spiral galaxy located in Hercules. It is located 420 million light-years from the Solar System and has an approximate diameter of 115,000 light-years. IC 1185 was discovered on June 8, 1888, by astronomer Guillaume Bigourdan and is a member of the Hercules Cluster. IC 1185 has a surface brightness of magnitude 22.7 and presents a double nucleus, which might represent a late stage of galaxy merger.
References
1185
Spiral galaxies
Hercules (constellation)
+03-41-110
057096
Hercules Cluster
Astronomical objects discovered in 1888
Discoveries by Guillaume Bigourdan | IC 1185 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 127 | [
"Hercules (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
76,773,719 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC%203758 | NGC 3758 known as the Owl Galaxy, is a type Sb spiral galaxy in the constellation of Leo. It is located 447 million light-years from the Solar System and an approximate diameter of 70,000 light-years. NGC 3758 was discovered by Ralph Copeland on March 18, 1874, but also independently discovered by Edouard Stephan ten years later.
Description
NGC 3758 is classified as a Seyfert 1 type galaxy. It is classified a Markarian galaxy (designated Mrk 739), because compared to other galaxies its nucleus emits excessive amounts of ultraviolet rays. It is a binary active galactic nucleus galaxy, a rare example of a galaxy merger.
NGC 3758 is made up of two separate galaxies, NGC 3758W and NGC 3758E. Each of the two galaxies has a supermassive black hole, which is only 11,000 light-years apart and gorging on infalling gas. Both black holes are active, in which large amounts of gas is sent spiraling inward, which it becomes hot and radiates energy. The galaxies are gravitationally bound together and such, their orbits will dynamically decay until their nuclei merge in which the process takes a few billion years.
The galaxy has an appearance of a friendly-looking object complete with two cores as the eyes and a swirling grin. It is possible that binary black holes on the verge of merging in NGC 3758 can turn stars into hypervelocity stars and catapult them out of their host galaxy.
NGC 3758 contains an extended emission-line region (EELR), which was discovered in the Galaxy Zoo project. This EELR could originate from both AGN or from just one. Detailed oxygen [O III] imaging could reveal which AGN is responsible for this EELR. ESO's VLT MUSE instrument is capable of such observations and MUSE did observe NGC 3758 in 2016, but no publication about the MUSE data concerning the EELR exists as of May 2024.
References
3758
Leo (constellation)
0739
Spiral galaxies
Astronomical objects discovered in 1874
Discoveries by Ralph Copeland
Seyfert galaxies
Supermassive black holes
035905
035905 | NGC 3758 | [
"Physics",
"Astronomy"
] | 443 | [
"Black holes",
"Unsolved problems in physics",
"Supermassive black holes",
"Constellations",
"Leo (constellation)"
] |
76,776,000 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/309%20%28number%29 | 309 or three hundred nine is the natural number following 308 and preceding 310.
In mathematics
309 is an odd composite number.
309 is composed of two distinct prime numbers multiplied (103 and 3).
309 is a Blum integer.
309 is a centered icosahedral number.
References
Integers | 309 (number) | [
"Mathematics"
] | 59 | [
"Mathematical objects",
"Number stubs",
"Elementary mathematics",
"Integers",
"Numbers"
] |
76,777,558 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20Remote%20Desktop%20Protocol%20clients | Remote Desktop Protocol clients allow users to connect to servers running Remote Desktop Services, Azure Virtual Desktop, or non-Microsoft server software to enable remote desktop functionality. Since the release of Remote Desktop Connection, there have been several additional Remote Desktop Protocol clients created by both Microsoft and other parties.
By Microsoft
Remote Desktop Connection
Remote Desktop Connection (RDC, also called Remote Desktop or just RD) is the client application for RDS. The program has the filename mstsc.exe and in Windows 2000 and prior, it was known as Microsoft Terminal Services Client (MSTSC or tsclient). It allows a user to remotely log into a networked computer running the Remote Desktop Services. RDC presents the desktop interface (or application GUI) of the remote system, as if it were accessed locally. In addition to regular username/password for authorizing for the remote session, RDC also supports using smart cards for authorization. Although replacements have been released, as of the release of the Windows App, Remote Desktop Client is still recommended for use.
RDC 6.0 was released as part of Windows Vista. With RDC 6.0, the resolution of a remote session can be set independently of the settings at the remote computer. If the Desktop Experience component is plugged into the remote server, remote application user interface elements (e.g., application windows borders, Maximize, Minimize, and Close buttons etc.) will take on the same appearance of local applications. In this scenario, the remote applications will use the Aero theme if the user connects to the server from a Windows Vista machine running Aero. Later versions of the protocol also support rendering the UI in full 32-bit color, as well as resource redirection for printers, COM ports, disk drives, mice and keyboards. With resource redirection, remote applications can use the resources of the local computer. Audio is also redirected, so that any sounds generated by a remote application are played back at the client system. Moreover, a remote session can also span multiple monitors at the client system, independent of the multi-monitor settings at the server. RDC can also be used to connect to Windows Media Center (WMC) remote sessions; however, since WMC does not stream video using RDP, only the applications can be viewed this way, not any media.
RDC prioritizes UI data as well as keyboard and mouse inputs, as opposed to print jobs or file transfers. so as to make the applications more responsive. It redirects plug and play devices such as cameras, portable music players, and scanners, so that input from these devices can be used by the remote applications as well. RDC can also be used to connect to computers which are exposed via Windows Home Server RDP Gateway over the Internet. Finally, few shortcuts that will be handy
To achieve effect on remote desktop, you can use the key combination.
To alternate between the full screen and window mode of remote desktop, you can use ( on certain HP laptops).
Microsoft Remote Desktop
Microsoft Remote Desktop, also called Remote Desktop, is a modern client for RDS released in September 2012. Compared to the older Remote Desktop Connection, the program offers a touch-friendly interface. It allows users to connect to remote PCs, RemoteApp programs, session-based desktops, and virtual desktops. The program is available on Windows as an Universal Windows Platform on the Microsoft Store, MacOS as Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac, Android, iOS, iPadOS, and on all platforms as a web client. The Windows version of the app is no longer being updated with new features or support for Azure Virtual Desktop. Instead, users are recommend to use the Remote Desktop client for Windows.
Web client
In late 2018 Microsoft released an HTML5 web client for Microsoft Remote Desktop. The client allows users to connect to their remote apps or to their remote desktops without using an installed remote desktop client. is one of the components of Microsoft Windows that allow a user to initiate and control an interactive session The web client uses the TLS secured port 443 and does not use the RD Gateway to transport traffic, instead relying solely on the remote desktop session host aspect of remote desktop services.
Remote Desktop client for Windows
The Remote Desktop client for Windows (MSRDC), branded as Microsoft Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop, and Azure Virtual Desktop if installed from the Microsoft Store, is a client that uses the Remote Desktop Protocol to allow users to connect to Azure Virtual Desktops on feeds made available by enterprise administrators. The program can be downloaded as an MSI installer as Remote Desktop or from the Microsoft Store as Azure Virtual Desktop.
In contrast with Microsoft Remote Desktop and like the older Remote Desktop Connection program, MSRDC allows for the redirection of local USB and serial devices. MSRDC is also used by Windows Subsystem for Linux to display programs with a graphical user interface.
Windows App
The Windows App is a Remote Desktop Protocol client that allows users to connect to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box instances. Additionally, on non-Windows platforms excluding the browser, the Windows App allows users to connect to servers running Remote Desktop Services and remote PCs. On Windows, Microsoft advises users to use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to remote PCs and Remote Desktop client for Windows to connect to Remote Desktop Services. The app is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS, and through web browsers.
The preview version of the app was first released in November 2023 and it was fully launched on September 19, 2024. The app was developed as a unified way to access Windows PCs remotely and as replacement for Microsoft Remote Desktop. The app supports many of the features of Remote Desktop Connection include multi-monitor support, device redirection, and dynamic resolution.
Windows Mobile
A RDS client also existed for Windows Mobile called Remote Desktop.
Non-Microsoft
There have been numerous non-Microsoft implementations of clients that implement subsets of the Microsoft functionality for a range of platforms.
rdesktop
rdesktop is a free and open-source implementation of a client software for RDP. rdesktop supports most features of RDP 5, with features from RDP 5.1 and 6 not yet implemented. Unlike its Microsoft counterparts, it still supports the older RDP 4 protocol used by Windows NT 4.0. There also several graphical frontends to rdesktop including tsclient, Gnome-RDP, and KDE Remote Desktop Connection (KRDC).
FreeRDP
FreeRDP is a RDP client that started as a fork of redesktop in 2009. It was created with the aim of modularizing the code, addressing various issues, and implementing new features. FreeRDP comes with its own command-line-client xfreerdp, which supports Seamless Windows in RDP6. Around 2011, the project decided to abandon forking and instead rewrite under Apache License, adding more features like RemoteFX, RemoteApp, and NTLMv2. A commercial distribution called Thincast was started in 2019. A multi-platform client based on FreeRDP including Vulkan/H.264 support followed in summer 2020. There's a GTK-based client named Remmina also based on FreeRDP.
FreeRDP offers server implementations for macOS and Windows. On other systems including Linux, software packages may build upon FreeRDP to implement a complete server. Weston, the compositor in Wayland, uses FreeRDP to implement an rdp server it terms "rdp-backend". This server is in turn used by Microsoft to provide graphics support (WSLg) in its Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Remmina
Remmina is a free and open-source remote desktop client for POSIX-based system that supports RDP along with a verity of other protocols. It uses FreeRDP as a foundation. It is the default remote desktop client on Ubuntu.
See also
Comparison of remote desktop software
References
Remote desktop
Windows components
Lists of software | List of Remote Desktop Protocol clients | [
"Technology"
] | 1,653 | [
"Computing-related lists",
"Lists of software"
] |
76,780,183 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CYB210010 | CYB210010, also known as 2C-T-TFM, is a lesser-known psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine family related to compounds such as 2C-T and 2C-T-21.
Alexander Shulgin attempted to synthesise this compound in the 1990s, and mentions it in his book PiHKAL under the entry for 2C-T-21, but was unsuccessful in producing a key intermediate and never assigned it a 2C-T number. This compound was ultimately first synthesised by Geoffrey Varty and colleagues at Irish biopharmaceutical company Cybin in 2023.
It has a Ki of 0.35nM at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, and an of 4.1nM at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and 7.3nM at the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor, compared to 88nM at the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor. It is a potent, selective, long acting, and orally active agonist for the serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors and produces psychedelic-like responding in several different animal species. It has only been studied preclinically as of 2024 and is not known to have been tested in humans.
Related drugs include the deuterated phenethylamine CYB005 and the deuterated substituted tryptamines CYB003 and CYB004.
See also
2C (psychedelics)
2C-T-21.5
2C-T-28
2C-TFM
2C-TFE
3C-DFE
DOPF
Tiflorex
Trifluoromescaline
References
5-HT2A agonists
5-HT2B agonists
5-HT2C agonists
2C (psychedelics)
Amines
Entheogens
Experimental hallucinogens
Methoxy compounds
Thioethers
Trifluoromethylthio compounds | CYB210010 | [
"Chemistry"
] | 432 | [
"Amines",
"Bases (chemistry)",
"Functional groups"
] |
76,780,227 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladium%28II%29%20perchlorate | Palladium(II) perchlorate is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula Pd(ClO4)2. It is a light-brown solid produced by the reaction of dichlorine hexoxide and palladium(II) chloride followed by heating at 60 °C in a vacuum:
3 PdCl2 + 4 Cl2O6 → 3 Pd(ClO4)2 + 4 Cl2
Aqueous solutions of palladium(II) perchlorate can be produced by the addition of perchloric acid to a solution of palladium(II) nitrate.
Structure
Solid anhydrous palladium(II) perchlorate consists of a pair of bidentate perchlorate ligands attached to the central palladium atom.
References
Palladium compounds
Perchlorates | Palladium(II) perchlorate | [
"Chemistry"
] | 169 | [
"Perchlorates",
"Salts"
] |
76,782,348 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yashashree%20Kulkarni | Yashashree Kulkarni is a Bill D. Cook Professor of Mechanical Engineering
at the University of Houston, and the president of the Society Of Engineering Science. Her research involves the mechanical properties of advanced materials, including nanocrystalline and nanotwinned metals.
Education and career
Kulkarni studied civil engineering as an undergraduate at IIT Bombay in India, graduating in 2001. She then went to the California Institute of Technology for graduate study in applied mechanics, earned a master's degree in 2002, and completed her Ph.D. in 2006. Her dissertation, Coarse-Graining of Atomistic Description at Finite Temperature, was supervised by Michael Ortiz.
After postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Diego, Kulkarni joined the University of Houston as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in 2009. She was elected president of the Society Of Engineering Science in 2024.
Recognition
Kulkarni was the 2017 recipient of the Sia Nemat-Nassar Early Career Award of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). She was elected as an ASME Fellow in 2022.
References
External links
Kulkarni research group
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Indian materials scientists
Indian women engineers
American materials scientists
American women engineers
Women mechanical engineers
Women materials scientists and engineers
IIT Bombay alumni
California Institute of Technology alumni
University of Houston faculty
Fellows of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers | Yashashree Kulkarni | [
"Materials_science",
"Technology"
] | 289 | [
"Women materials scientists and engineers",
"Materials scientists and engineers",
"Women in science and technology"
] |
76,782,368 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software%20product%20liability | Software vendor liability is the issue of product liability for software bugs that cause harm, such as security bugs or bugs causing medical errors. For the most part, this liability does not exist in the United States. The possibility of liability is excluded for most software in the European Union Product Liability Directive 1985 but is explicitly provided for in the update issued in 2024.
References
Product liability
Software law | Software product liability | [
"Technology"
] | 78 | [
"Computing stubs",
"Software stubs"
] |
76,784,154 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron%20frame | The term iron frame describes the structural use of either cast iron or wrought iron in the columns and beams of a building. While popular in the 19th century, the iron frame was displaced by the steel frame in the early 20th century.
Cast iron
Columns made of cast iron were introduced in the 1770s, the first building with multiple storeys using cast iron for both columns and beams is the Ditherington Flax Mill in Shrewsbury (1797). Columns were joined usually at the floor level and sometimes bolted together, the longer beams were made of sections that were also kept together by bolts. At first, the stiffness of the frame was achieved through the use of masonry that filled the openings in the frame, but since 1844, a rigid frame was used that was stable by itself (former fire station at the Portsmouth Dockyard).
With its high compression strength, the cast iron is well-suited for columns. At first, the cruciform profile was used, later displaced by the hollow round shape and H-beams. Relative tensile weakness made the cast iron not the best choice for the beams and girders, this was compensated by making the bottom flange of an I-beam (the one experiencing the tension) much wider than the top, compressed, one and varying the beam profile to be wider at the middle, where the stress was higher. Cast iron was rapidly replaced in the beams by the wrought iron in the mid-19th century, the process had accelerated after the Dee Bridge disaster of 1847.
Wrought iron
Use of wrought iron in construction has a long history (cramps made from wrought iron were used in classical antiquity). The first all-wrought iron roof was apparently installed in 1837 at the Euston railway station in London.
Beams and girders were made of wrought iron with I-beam cross-section. The material was rarely used for the columns, as the cast was both stronger under compression and cheaper, so a typical iron frame building in the second half of the 19th century had cast iron columns and wrought iron beams. Columns at the Crystal Palace (1851), as well as short trusses, were made from the cast iron, while longer beams used wrought iron. A less-known precursor to the modern steel frame construction, the four-storey Boat Store ("Shed 78", 1858–1860), has its rigid frame constructed also from cast iron columns and wrought iron girders. With no internal walls and external walls made from sheet metal, the stability of this structure is provided exclusively through the rigid column-beam joints.
References
Sources
Construction
Cast-iron architecture | Iron frame | [
"Engineering"
] | 524 | [
"Construction",
"Architecture stubs",
"Architecture"
] |
76,784,168 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGC%203092152 | PGC 3092152 or known as 2MASX J09442693+0429569, is a type S0 lenticular galaxy located in the constellation of Sextans. It is located 655 million light-years from the Solar System and has an approximate diameter of 75,000 light-years.
Characteristics
PGC 3092152 is a recent galaxy merger with a tail-like feature extending from it. Because the Universe ages, galaxy-galaxy interactions have occurred and caused the stellar component of galactic discs to be disrupted to the point it enhances the star formation rate.Molecular components are disrupted as well, leading to a magnitude increase in star formation efficiency with more production of massive stars. The galaxy merger causes the gas supply to be used up causing no new stars to be formed leaving the current star population to become older as the merged galaxy creeps into old age. PGC 3092152 is an example which marks a transitional phrase from a young, star-forming galaxy to become a massive, red and dead galaxy.
One of the possible reasons why star formation stopped, might be an overfed black hole. Like most galaxies, PGC 3092152 has a supermassive black hole – a powerful beast millions to billions more massive than the sun. During the galaxy merger, gas and dust are driven to the center to make young stars and feed the growing black hole. The sudden burst of activity creates an unstable environment causing shockwaves to swept through the galaxy. It ejects large quantities of gas which is sufficiently powerful enough to hinder the galaxy's ability to make new stars like in this case of PGC 3092152.
References
3092152
2MASS objects
Lenticular galaxies
Interacting galaxies
Sextans
SDSS objects | PGC 3092152 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 358 | [
"Sextans",
"Constellations"
] |
76,784,657 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC%203746 | NGC 3746 is a large barred spiral galaxy with a ring structure located in the Leo constellation. It is located 449 million light-years from the Solar System and has an approximate diameter of 165,000 light-years. NGC 3746 was discovered by Ralph Copeland on 9 February 1874 with subsequent observations made by Hermann Kobold, Lawrence Parsons and John Louis Emil Dreyer.
The luminosity class of NGC 3746 is II and it has a broad H II region with a recessed core (RET).
Supernovae
Two supernovae have been discovered in NGC 3746 so far: SN 2002ar and SN 2005ba.
SN 2002ar
SN 2002ar was discovered by Dr W.D. Li from the University of California, Berkeley via unfiltered CCD images which was taken by the 0.8-m Katzman Automatic Imagining Telescope on 3 and 4 February 2002. It was located 3".3 east and 0".5 south of the nucleus. The supernova was Type la.
SN 2005ba
SN 2005ba was discovered on 1 April 2005 by Norwegian scientists Arne Danielsen, Mikkel Steine, and Stale Kildahl via unfiltered images taken from a 'Celestron 14' reflector at Veggli, Norway. It was located 14".6 west and 4".0 north of the nucleus. The supernova was Type II.
Copeland Septet
NGC 3746 is a member of the Copeland Septet which comprises 7 galaxies discovered by Copeland in 1874. The other 6 members are NGC 3748, NGC 3754, NGC 3753, NGC 3750, NGC 3745 and NGC 3751. Together, they are known as Hickson 57 and Arp 320.
References
3746
6597
035997
Barred spiral galaxies
Discoveries by Ralph Copeland
Astronomical objects discovered in 1874
320
035997
2MASS objects
SDSS objects
Hickson Compact Groups
Copeland Septet
Leo (constellation) | NGC 3746 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 405 | [
"Leo (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
76,784,896 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC%203753 | NGC 3753 is a large spiral galaxy with a bar located in the Leo constellation. It is located 435 million light-years away from the Solar System and was discovered on February 9, 1874, by Ralph Copeland.
NGC 3753 is classified as a LINER galaxy meaning, it presents an emission spectrum characterized by broad lines of weak ionized atoms. It also has a luminosity class of I-II.
Copeland Septet
NGC 3753 is a member of the Copeland Septet which consists of 7 galaxies discovered by Copeland in 1874. The other members are NGC 3746, NGC 3745, NGC 3748, NGC 3750, NGC 3751 and NGC 3754.
Halton Arp noticed the 7 galaxies in the group, in which he published the article in 1966. The group is designated as Arp 320 along another galaxy, PGC 36010.
This group was observed by Paul Hickson in which he included them in his article in 1982. The group is known as Hickson 57 in which NGC 3753 is the dominant member.
References
3753
06602
036016
Discoveries by Ralph Copeland
Astronomical objects discovered in 1874
036016
SDSS objects
2MASS objects
LINER galaxies
Hickson Compact Groups
320
Spiral galaxies
Copeland Septet
Leo (constellation) | NGC 3753 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 256 | [
"Leo (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
76,785,536 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetsus | Wetsus - European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology is a research centre for water technology in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. Over one hundred companies and twenty knowledge institutes work together at Wetsus to develop solutions for global water issues.
History
Wetsus was established as part of Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (a public-private partnership in the northern Netherlands, covering Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe), the Frisian Water Alliance, the University of Twente, the University of Groningen and Wageningen University & Research to strengthen the position of the region as major player in the water sector. In 2007 the institute was labeled Top Technological Institute.
Collaboration
Together with other actors of the WaterCampus Leeuwarden, Wetsus collaborates with several initiatives, such as:
the Water Alliance to take technological innovations to the market,
the Centrum voor innovatief vakmanschap water (Centre for innovative craftmanship water) for vocational education;
the Centre of Expertise Water Technology (CEW) for collaboration in the applied sciences.
Wetsus is home to the MSc Water Technology, a joint degree of the University of Groningen, the University of Twente and Wageningen University & Research.
Innovation & research
Wetsus studied reverse electrodialysis to generate osmotic power. That research resulted in a spin-off company called REDstack that generates blue energy at the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands. Wetsus also promoted decentralized sanitation and wastewater reuse in the Netherlands through the spin-off company DeSaH.
As of 2024, research is focused on removing PFAS from water, and the removal of micro and nanoplastics from water.
References
External links
Official site
WaterCampus Leeuwarden
Research institutes
Water
Research institutes in the Netherlands | Wetsus | [
"Environmental_science"
] | 373 | [
"Water",
"Hydrology"
] |
76,785,918 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erminia%20Calabrese | Erminia Calabrese, FLSW, is a Professor of Astronomy and the Director of Research at Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy. She works in observational cosmology using the cosmic microwave background radiation to understand the origins and evolution of the universe. In 2024 she became a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, and in 2022 she was awarded the Institute of Physics Fred Hoyle medal and the Learned Society of Wales Dillwyn medal.
Early life and education
Calabrese was born in Benevento, Italy and grew up in a small town in the Apennines, Cerreto Sannita. She left to attend the Sapienza University of Rome and graduated in 2006 with a degree in Physics and Astrophysics. She stayed at the Sapienza University of Rome for her postgraduate studies, where she first earned a Masters degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics in 2008 and then went on to complete a PhD in Astronomy in 2012.
Research and career
Calabrese moved to the Oxford Astrophysics department in 2012, for a Research Associate position in cosmology, where she was advised by astrophysicist Joanna Dunkley. Calabrese went on to be a Beecroft Fellow at the University of Oxford from 2014 to 2015 before moving on to become a Lyman Spitzer Jr. Fellow at Princeton University from 2015 to 2016. In 2017 she became a STFC (Science and Technologies Facilities Council) Ernest Rutherford Fellow at the University of Oxford before moving to Cardiff in order to establish a cosmology group at Cardiff University. She started as a Lecturer at Cardiff University in 2017 and was promoted to Professor in 2019. As of 2024, Calabrese is the Director of Research for the School of Physics and Astronomy at Cardiff University.
Calabrese’s research combines theoretical work with statistical data analysis to answer fundamental questions about the Universe. As a Scientist of the Planck mission and a science member of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope she led work on characterising multi-frequency CMB microwave data, on combining data from satellite and ground-based experiments, and on extracting the underlying primordial CMB signal carrying the imprint of the physics of the early Universe, leading to state-of-the-art constraints on neutrino physics, inflation, dark matter and dark energy physics. Calabrese and her cosmology team are now exploring new physics signatures in CMB polarisation with future observations from the Simons Observatory and the proposed, Japanese-led LiteBIRD mission. Calabrese is also a member of the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, and a member of the Euclid Collaboration, looking at how to combine low-redshift data with the CMB. She has been featured on several podcasts and shows explaining her research, including BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Physics World Weekly, Radio3 Scienza and the BBC Science Café.
Awards and honours
2024 Learned Society of Wales Fellowship.
2023 UK Space Agency award for LiteBIRD:UK.
2022 UKRI/STFC awards for SO:UK
2022 Institute of Physics Fred Hoyle Medal and Prize, Learned Society of Wales Dillwyn Medal and Prize for STEMM.
2021 H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) consortium grant
2019 European Research Council Starting Grant.
2019 Giuseppe and Vanna Cocconi Prize for the Planck Team.
2018 Gruber prize in cosmology as a member of the Planck team.
2018 Royal Astronomical Society Group Achievement Award for the Planck Team.
2018 Marcel Grossman Award to the Planck scientific collaboration.
2016 STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship
2012 Junior Research Fellowship (non-stipendiary), Wolfson College, Oxford.
2011 Tito Maiani prize for thesis in physics.
References
21st-century Italian astronomers
Astronomers
People associated with Cardiff University
1984 births
Living people
21st-century Italian women scientists | Erminia Calabrese | [
"Astronomy"
] | 800 | [
"Astronomers",
"People associated with astronomy"
] |
76,787,261 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warblish | Warblish refers to humans vocally imitating bird vocalizations using existing words and phrases in a human language. The term was coined by linguist Hannah Sarvasy in a 2017 academic paper that examined different techniques humans use to mimic birdsong.
Characteristics
Unlike onomatopoeia, where nonsense words are created to sound like a bird's call, warblish uses real lexical items in a language to represent birdsong. For example, the call of the barred owl may be rendered as Who cooks for you? in warblish.
Warblish can take the form of phrases, sentences, or even dialogues attributed to birds. The meaning of the words often relates to the bird species in some way, either referring to its behavior, ecosystem role, mythology, or other cultural associations. However, warblish can also be humorous or nonsensical.
Some examples of English warblish given by Sarvasy include:
Northern waterthrush: Nice old ladies don't chew tobacco
California quail: Chicago! Chicago!
The sounds and meaning of warblish for the same bird species often varies across cultures. While warblish functions partly as mimicry of birdsong, features like rhythm, pitch, and timing may be more important for accuracy than the specific words used.
Importance
While warblish might seem trival, it has been suggested to have nontrival functions.Warblish seems at first to be a trivial phenomenon, a clownish verbal play between children or whimsical adults calling out cheeeeeseburger or whip poor will to the birds. Beyond its role as a mnemonic to help people recognize birds by their calls, it is a meaningful biocultural sensory practice that helps train people to listen carefully, make the world “one’s own” and pay careful attention to the ecologies of the other-than-human life around them.In many societies, warblish serves as more than just a mnemonic device for remembering bird vocalizations. Sarvasy outlines several functions and meanings associated with warblish cross-culturally:Heralding seasonal changes, planting/harvesting times Warning humans of approaching people, animals, or spirits Referencing mythology in which people transform into birds Describing observable bird behaviors and routines Facetious or humorous attributions.
Research
According to Sarvasy, warblish has been overlooked as a topic of study compared to onomatopoeia and non-vocal mimicry of birdsong. More research is needed into the forms warblish takes across cultures, its functions and meanings, conventionality within speech communities, and how it relates to cultural knowledge of avian ecology and behavior. Cataloging examples of warblish from around the world can provide insights into humans' creative linguistic responses to the natural environment. A recent study has found warblish to widespread across cultures.
See also
Pish
Ideophone
References
External links
Warblish Blogsite
Bird sounds
Song forms
Neuroethology
Wild animals identification | Warblish | [
"Biology"
] | 609 | [
"Ethology",
"Behavior",
"Neuroethology"
] |
70,852,946 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurotrophin%20mimetics | Neurotrophin mimetics are small molecules or peptide like molecules that can modulate the action of the neurotrophin receptor.
One of the main causes of neurodegeneration involves changes in the expression of neurotrophins (NTs) and/or their receptors (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC and p75NTR). Indeed, these imbalances or changes in their activity, lead to neuronal damage resulting in neurological and neurodegenerative conditions. The therapeutic properties of neurotrophins attracted the focus of many researchers during the years, but the poor pharmacokinetic properties, such as reduced bioavailability and low metabolic stability, the hyperalgesia, the inability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier and the short half-lives render the large neurotrophin proteins not suitable to be implemented as drugs.
For this reason, several efforts have been made to develop neurotrophin mimetics (small molecules and peptidomimetics) that can modulate the action of the neurotrophin receptors (Trks and p75NTR) and possess drug-like pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Specifically, these mimetics can be classified as TrkA and TrkB receptor agonists and p75NTR modulators/antagonists.
Synthetic small molecule neurotrophin mimetics
TrkA agonists
Among the TrkA agonists, the small molecule gambogic amide exerts a potent neurotrophic activity decreasing apoptosis in primary hippocampal neurons. The non-peptidic TrkA agonist MT2 protects neurons from Aβ amyloid-mediated death in NGF-deficient neurons and talaumidin and its derivatives show neuroprotective effects, promoting neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Furthermore, the peptidomimetic cerebrolysin is known for its protective role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). It was shown to improve the activities of daily living and the psychiatric symptoms in patients with mild to severe form of AD, after intravenous administration in a double-blind trial. In addition, the cyclic peptide tavilermide (MIM-D3), acting as a partial TrkA receptor agonist, showed a relevant improvement of cognitive capacities of treated aged rats, leading to a selective survival of the cholinergic neurons.
A phase 3 clinical trial of 5% and 1% tavilermide ophthalmic solutions for the treatment of dry eye was completed in 2020 (NCT03925727), with positive results concerning safety and efficacy. Recent studies demonstrated the neurotrophic activity of carvacrol by inducing neurite outgrowth and phosphorylation of TrkA in cells deprived of NGF. The same research group investigated the neurotrophic effect of the well-known antibiotic doxycycline and they found that it prevents amyloid toxicity in a Drosophila model of AD both in vitro and in vivo and induces neuritogenesis by activation of TrkA.
Additionally, some novel DHEA derivatives were shown to be TrkA agonists. In particular, the C17-spiroepoxy derivative, BNN-27, induces phosphorylation of TrkA in neuronal and glial cells in culture and it exerts antiapoptotic effect without inducing hyperalgesia. Moreover, it improved memorizing abilities in rats after i.p. administration and restored the myelin loss in cuprizone-induced demyelination in vivo. Moreover, the C17-spirocyclopryl DHEA derivatives, ENT-A010 and ENT-A013, were shown to be potent TrkA agonists. In particular, ENT-A010 acts as dual TrkA and TrkB agonist while, ENT-A013 acts as a selective TrkA agonist. Both induce phosphorylation of TrkA and its downstream signaling pathways, and promote cell survival of PC12 cells from serum deprivation. In addition, they exhibit potent neuroprotective effects in dorsal root ganglia and anti-amyloid activity in hippocampal neurons.
TrkB agonists
TrkB agonists have received extensive interest from the scientific community resulting in the synthesis and biological evaluation of a large number of mimetics. Deoxygedunin, with a selective TrkB activity, is able to promote axon regeneration in topical treatments. Furthermore, it shows efficacy in two Parkinson's disease (PD) animal models, leading to the protection of locomotor function and the reduction of neuronal death in dopaminergic neurons. A number of studies corroborated that the flavonoid 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) shows neuroprotection in PD and Huntington's disease (HD) models together with antioxidant activity and enhancement of motor neuronal survival, motor function and spine density in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) model. The benzothiazole riluzole exerts neuroprotective effects by increasing BDNF and GDNF levels with improvement of motor neuron survival. It has been approved for the treatment of ALS and delays the onset of ventilator-dependence or tracheostomy in some people and may increase survival by two to three months. Furthermore, several combinations of riluzole with other drugs are in clinical trials (NCT02588677, NCT03127267).
Brimonidine exerts neuroprotective effects in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through up-regulation of the expression of BDNF in these cells. It is used in the treatment of glaucoma as eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) under the brand name Lumify®. Different drugs, used against PD also behave as neurotrophin mimetics such as rotigotine, selegiline, rasagiline, memantine and levodopa interacting with TrkB and increasing BDNF expression. Furthermore, of particular note, the groups of F. Longo and S. Massa discovered small molecule neurotrophic mimetics exhibiting specificity for TrkB at nanomolar concentrations. In particular, LM22A-4, prevents neuronal death in in vitro models of AD, HD and PD.
Among the peptidomimetic TrkB agonists, the dimeric dipeptide GSB-106 showed neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects by specific activation of TrkB and its signaling pathways. Furthermore, the tricyclic dimeric peptide TDP6 acts as a TrkB agonist mimicking BDNF and induces autophosphorylation of TrkB in primary oligodendrocyte cultures, leading to oligodendrocyte myelination. Regarding DHEA derivatives, the C17-spiroepoxy analogue, BNN-20, binds with high affinity to TrkB, showing antiapoptotic activity in vitro. Its neuroprotective activity was analyzed in the Weaver mouse genetic model of PD in which long term administration of BNN-20 protects the dopaminergic neurons by mimicking BDNF and induces antiapoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
p75NTR modulators
In this class it is worthwhile to highlight the small non-peptide molecules LM22A-24 and LM11A-31 developed by Longo and Massa. Through the modulation of p75NTR activity, these compounds downregulate degenerative and upregulate trophic signaling. In particular, LM11A-31 was found to inhibit several pathophysiological mechanisms involved in AD and related to p75NTR. Oral administration in AD mice models reduces degeneration of cholinergic neurites. Furthermore, by a direct activation of p75NTR signaling and inhibition of apoptotic pathway, it improves motor function in a spinal cord injury (SCI) mice model and leads to an antiapoptotic effect in mice after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In February 2017, a phase 2 clinical trial started focusing on the evaluation of the safety of LM11A-31 in mild to moderate AD (NCT03069014). This study was completed in June 2020, but the results have not been published yet.
Another drug belonging to the class of p75NTR antagonists is THX-B, which inhibits NGF-p75NTR binding and prevents the death of RGCs in axotomy and glaucoma. In addition, in combination with LM22A-24, THX-B delays the loss of retinal structure, prevents RGC degeneration and preserves ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness with a better efficacy compared to LM22A-24. Finally, a p75NTR antagonist, EVT901, was able to improve functional outcomes in two models of traumatic brain injury. Furthermore it was found to reduce inflammation in vivo in the TGFAD344 rat model of AD.
Natural neurotrophin mimetics
There are a number of natural products with neurotrophic activity, which results from several mechanisms including enhancing BDNF gene transcription, upregulating the expression of BDNF and TrkB, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and CREB signalling.
The first discovered non-protein neurotrophic natural product was lactacystin, isolated from a culture broth of Streptomyces sp. Magnolol and honokiol, the main constituents of Magnolia officinalis and Magnolia obovata stem bark, have been reported to have neurotrophic activity in primary cultured rat cortical by enhancing the BDNF expression. Merrilactone A, jiadifenin, jiadifenolide, (1R,10S)-2-oxo-3,4-dehydroxyneomajucin, jiadifenoxolane A, (2R)-hydroxynorneomajucin, 11-O-debenzoyltashironin,tricycloillicinone, and bicycloillicinone, natural products of the Illicium family have been shown to promote neurite outgrowth in primary cultures of cortical neurons of fetal rats. Neurotrophic properties are also possessed by several members of the Lycopodium alkaloids (huperzine A, lyconadins, complanadine A and B, and nankakurine A and B). Studies have shown that huperazine A can elevate the levels of NGF and BDNF. Synthesis of NGF can be upregulated by administration of cyathanediterpenoids specifically erinacines, scabronines and cyrneines.
Some flavonoids, Isoflavonoids and neoflavonoids were found to have neuroprotective activity. Among the effective flavonoids, luteolin from Lonicera japonica sp., isorhamnetin from Opuntia ficus-indica, genistein from Genista tinctoria, and calycosin from Astragalus membranaceus showed the most promising effects by increasing the mRNA expression and protein secretion of NGF, GDNF, and BDNF. Paecilomycine A and spirotenuipesines A and B, members of the trichothecenes, isolated from the fruiting bodies of Paecilomycestenuipes, have significant neurotrophic profiles especially paecilomycine A which can stimulate the synthesis of neurotrophic factors. Polyprenylatedacylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) represented by hyperforin, hypericin and garsubellin A, have neurotrophic like properties. Hyperforin, isolated from the herb St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), can stimulate the upregulation of the TrkB receptor.
Beside natural products, there are some small molecules of natural origin that exert neurotrophic activities such as: Panaxytriol (promotes NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC-12 cells); 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (TrkB activator); Deoxygedunin (BDNF mimetic); Kansuinin E (promotes neurotrophic activity, most likely through TrkA activation); Tripchlorolide (stimulates expression of BDNF mRNA); Fucoxanthin (increases BDNF production and activates PKA/CREB pathway); Silibinin (Activate hippocampal ROS-BDNF-TrkB patway).
References
Neurochemistry
Neuropharmacology
Neuroscience | Neurotrophin mimetics | [
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"Biology"
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70,853,427 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ways%20of%20Being | Ways of Being is a 2022 book on artificial intelligence and the natural world by James Bridle.
A reviewer for The American Spectator said that the theme of the book was collaborative intelligence among humans, computers, and all of nature.
A reviewer for Geographical said that the book described situations where humans developed remarkable new technology by observing natural processes.
A reviewer for Kirkus Reviews described the book as scientifically precise but accessible to general audiences.
Musician Brian Eno met with the author to discuss creativity in nature.
References
External links
Author's website
2022 non-fiction books
Science and technology studies works
Posthumanism
Sociology of scientific knowledge
Farrar, Straus and Giroux books
Verso Books books | Ways of Being | [
"Technology"
] | 142 | [
"Computing stubs",
"Science and technology studies works",
"Computer book stubs",
"Science and technology studies"
] |
70,854,090 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20rail%20accidents%20%281930%E2%80%931939%29 | This is a list of rail accidents from 1930 to 1939.
1930
January 6 – United Kingdom – The rear carriages of a Southern Railway passenger train from to London are partially buried by a landslip near Wadhurst tunnel. The train is divided and the front part continues on to , where it arrives 100 minutes late.
March 6 – United Kingdom – a London, Midland and Scottish Railway passenger train departs from station, Cumberland against signals. It is in collision with a ballast train at station, Cumberland. Two people die and four are seriously injured.
March 17 - United States - Adams, Tennessee - L&N steam engine pulling a freight train explodes, killing 4 trainmen and 2 hobos
March 22 – United Kingdom – A London, Midland and Scottish Railway Royal Scot express passenger train derails at , Bedfordshire when a crossover is taken at excessive speed.
April 7 – Japan – Ōita: Perhaps due to a blasting accident at the colliery, some dynamite ends up in a train's coal supply. When it explodes, the locomotive and several cars are wrecked, 17 people die and two are seriously injured, and a forest fire is ignited.
April 16 – USSR – At Domodedovo, now in Russia, some denatured alcohol spilled in a train is accidentally ignited. The fire results in the deaths of 45 people and seriously injures 23.
May 20 – USSR – At Chernaya on the Moscow-Kazan line (all these places are now in Russia), the collision of a passenger and a freight train results in the deaths of 28 and severely injures 29.
June 29 – USSR – A train from Irkutsk (now in Russia) to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg, Russia) is derailed near its destination due to a signalman's error; 22 die and 28 are seriously injured.
July 16 – Romania – The collision of a passenger and a freight train between Petrova and Vișeu Bistra results in the deaths of 22 people.
December 27 – China – A passenger train on a branch line of the Peking-Mukden Railway (those cities are now Beijing and Shenyang) is deliberately wrecked by bandits; the locomotive boiler explodes and 20 passengers are kidnapped for ransom. Altogether 80 people are killed.
1931
January 3 – United Kingdom – A London and North Eastern Railway passenger train derails at Carlisle, Cumberland due to excessive speed through a curve. Three people are killed.
January 17 – United Kingdom – A London and North Eastern Railway newspaper train departs from station, Essex against signals and collides head-on with a light engine at Great Holland. Two people are killed.
March 22 – United Kingdom – A London, Midland and Scottish Railway express passenger train derails at , Bedfordshire due to excessive speed through a crossover. Six people are killed.
April 20 – China – Following heavy rain, an embankment collapses under a passenger train from Humchun to Kowloon, Hong Kong. At least 30 are killed and 20 to 30 seriously injured.
April 29 – Egypt – The rear cars of a passenger train from Alexandria to Cairo, crowded with passengers due to the Eid al-Adha holiday, catch fire on the approach to Benha station. Many passengers jump from the moving train rather than wait for the station. Altogether 48 people are killed.
May 27 – United Kingdom – A London and North Eastern Railway passenger train overruns signals and collides head-on with another passenger train at station, Norfolk. One person is killed and fifteen are injured.
May 27 – United States – The Empire Builder, en route from Seattle to Chicago with 117 passengers, is struck by an F3 tornado in Clay County, Minnesota; all the cars (except the locomotive and coal tender) are blown off the track with one car thrown some 80 feet. One passenger is killed and 57 more are injured.
June 17 – United Kingdom – A London Midland and Scottish Railway mail train overruns signals and rear-ends an express freight train at Crich, Derbyshire. Two people are killed and seventeen injured.
September 13 – Hungary – Soon after leaving Budapest, an international express en route to Paris and Ostend is destroyed by a dynamite bomb on a bridge at Biatorbágy. Most of the train falls ; 22 passengers are killed. The bomber, Szilveszter Matuska, pretends to be a victim and sues the railway, but police checking his story become suspicious. Eventually he is given a death sentence, which is then commuted.
September 18 – China,Liaoning,Mukden – Mukden Incident.
late September – USSR – A troop train southwest of Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg, Russia) explodes with heavy loss of life.
December – United Kingdom – At , Essex, a London and North Eastern Railway passenger train runs into wagons from the preceding freight train, which had been left on the line after a coupling broke. Two people are killed.
December 25 - United States - A Southern Pacific class GS-1 4-8-4 #4402 suffers a boiler explosion in Richvale, California. The locomotive was later rebuilt in February 1932 and saw many years of service until it was scrapped on April 24, 1959.
1932
January 2 – USSR – At Kosino, just outside Moscow, a train moving at hits the rear of a stopped suburban train. Although there is time, nobody acts to protect the wreckage and a train of empty freight wagons crashes into it. Altogether 68 people are killed and 130 injured, and 11 railwaymen are arrested for criminal negligence.
July 17 – South Africa – At Leeudoorn Stad (now Leeuwdoringstad), southwest of Orkney, a freight train is destroyed by the explosion of over of dynamite in 52 wagons. Two craters deep are left, 5 people killed, 7 injured, and of track destroyed.
September 14 – French Algeria – Turenne rail accident: A 14-car troop train of the French Foreign Legion derails in the Atlas Mountains and plunges into a gorge. 57 legionnaires and most of the train's crew die; 223 are injured.
October 16 – France – A passenger train rams a freight train near Cérences station, Manche, Normandy, and goes down a steep grade, splintering the lead coaches. Five men and two women are killed and fifteen others injured, all being residents of the local area where the accident occurred.
October 18 – USSR – Heavy loss of life occurs when the Black Sea express train, coming from Sochi, strikes a freight car that had been mistakenly switched to the express tracks at Lublinov station, eleven kilometers from Moscow, telescoping five cars, three of them passenger coaches. Casualties include 36 killed and 51 injured. On October 31, the Soviet government sentences to death the station master whose negligence caused the accident. Three others also sharing responsibility receive prison terms.
December 14 – Switzerland – A collision in the Gutsch Tunnel on the Zug–Lucerne railway kills at least six people.
1933
March 4 – United Kingdom – Great Western Railway freight train is struck by a landslide at Vriog, Merionethshire. The locomotive is pushed into the sea, both engine crew are killed.
March 17 – Manchukuo (now part of China) – A passenger train is stopped between Chengchitun and Ssupingkai (now Siping) due to a "dislocation of the rails" and a freight train collides with its rear, killing 50 people and injuring 70.
May 25 – United Kingdom – A Southern Railway passenger train derails at , London and comes to rest foul of the adjacent line. A passing express train collides with it, killing five people and injuring 35. The cause was a failure to implement a speed restriction during permanent way works.
July 10 – United Kingdom – A London Midland and Scottish Railway express passenger train collides with a freight train at , Cumberland due to a signalman's error. One person is killed.
September 5 – United States – A milk train goes through a stop signal and collides with a stopped Erie Railroad passenger train in Binghamton, New York. 14 people are killed, and 30 are injured.
September 8 – United Kingdom – A passenger train runs into four wagons which had been left on the line at Bowling Basin, Dunbartonshire during shunting operations. Five people are injured.
October 24 – France – A Chemins de fer de l'État express from Cherbourg to Paris derails at between Saint-Élier and Conches-en-Ouche, and part of the train falls into the river Iton; 36 people are killed and 68 injured.
December 23 – France – Lagny-Pomponne rail accident: Rear-end collision of Paris-Nancy express and Paris-Strasbourg fast train between Lagny-sur-Marne and Pomponne (Seine-et-Marne), 17 mi (23 km) out of Paris. 204 are killed and 300 injured aboard the Nancy express as its 7 wooden coaches are smashed. The driver of the Strasbourg train had passed a signal at danger in darkness and fog, but the "Crocodile" acoustic warning system was found to have failed because the contacts had iced over. The Compagnie de Chemin de Fer de l'Est was ordered to pay FFr44,000,000 in compensation to victims' families.
1934
February 18 – Italy – Near Populonia, on the single-track line from Campiglia Marittima to Piombino, a gasoline-powered railcar going collides with a steam special and catches fire. Of 48 passengers in the railcar, 34 are killed.
February 26 – United States – Seven passengers and two enginemen are killed and some 40 others injured when a Fort Wayne Division Akron-to-Pittsburgh train of the Pennsylvania Railroad derails one mile (1600 m) short of Penn Station, its destination, just before 2200 hrs. Hitting a frozen switch, the pony truck on locomotive 1638 derails, turning the engine and tender over an embankment into Merchant Street and smashing a signal tower "to splinters" in the process. Two Pullman cars behind the motive power derail but stay upright, but a following coach and diner drop 20 feet (6.1 m) to the street when their couplings break. It is in the coach that the fatalities occur.
February 26 – United States – The Pennsylvania Railroad express, the Fort Dearborn, struck a truck at a grade crossing in a snowstorm at Delphos, Ohio. The engine overturned and seven cars derailed, killing the engineer and fireman, the truck driver, and injuring four more.
March 4 – USSR – At a station from Moscow (now in Russia), a stationary train is struck by another one, killing 19 and injuring 52. The enginemen of the second train are sentenced to death and three other railwaymen to prison.
March 12 – USSR – At Tavatuy, which is northwest of Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg, both places now in Russia), a passenger train runs past signals and crashes into a freight; 33 are killed and 68 injured.
March 14 – El Salvador – The explosion of 7 tons of dynamite on a train at La Libertad, a port southwest of San Salvador, kills at least 250 people and injures about 1,000, and destroys many homes. Also involved in the fire are 4,000 cases of gasoline and 15,000 sacks of coffee.
September 6 – United Kingdom – Two London Midland and Scottish Railway passenger trains collide at Port Eglinton Junction, Glasgow, Renfrewshire because the driver of one of them misreads signals. Nine people are killed and 58 are injured.
September 28 – United Kingdom – Winwick rail crash, near Warrington: Overworked signal box crew forget a train halted at a signal and allow another train into section; 12 people killed.
November – United Kingdom – a London and North Eastern Railway passenger train collides with a lorry on a level crossing at Wormley, Hertfordshire and is derailed. Both locomotive crew are killed.
December 27– United States – Powellton, West Virginia: A train carrying miners and their families suffers a boiler explosion. The boiler shoots up into the air and lands on the first coach crushing seventeen people to death.
1935
January 6 – USSR – At Porbelo on the railway from Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) to Moscow, all now in Russia, an express from Leningrad to Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia) is stopped by a broken rail. The following train, an express to Moscow, runs past signals and crashes into it, killing 23 and badly injuring 56. Seven railwaymen are convicted of criminal negligence.
February 25 – United Kingdom – A London Midland and Scottish Railway passenger train is derailed at , Worcestershire due to a combination of defective track and locomotive design. One person is killed.
March 13 – United Kingdom – A London Midland and Scottish Railway express freight train is halted at , Hertfordshire due to a defective vacuum brake. A milk train runs into its rear and a coal train runs into the wreckage of the two trains. The line is reopened the next day.
April 11 – United States – Rockville, Maryland: A school bus driver, returning students to Williamsport, Maryland from a field trip at 11:30pm, does not notice the reflective signs at a grade crossing and drives his bus into the path of an oncoming Baltimore & Ohio train. 14 students are killed, 15 others injured. In violation of a Maryland law requiring watchmen at crossings until midnight, the B&O had kept a watchman on duty only until 10pm.
June 15 – United Kingdom – 1935 Welwyn Garden City rail crash: A signalman's error on the London and North Eastern Railway leads to one express train crashing into the rear of another, killing 13 passengers and injuring 81.
June 25 – Ireland – Dún Laoghaire: The Drumm Train, a Battery Electric Multiple Unit, runs into a landslide between and . The train is derailed and is consequently damaged by fire.
September 2 – United States – Islamorada, Florida: The upper Florida Keys are hit by the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. A 10-car rescue train is sent by the Florida East Coast Railway to evacuate hundreds of World War I veterans from government work camps, but is washed from the tracks when the Overseas Railroad is engulfed by a storm surge at Islamorada. Total train fatalities not known (at least 408 estimated storm deaths). Railway link to Florida Keys is left destroyed. The accident is mentioned in the film Key Largo.
October 16 – Brazil – In the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, an express hits a stationary passenger train, killing 20 and injuring over 100.
December 13 – United States – Dearing, Georgia: Three trainmen were killed and ten others injured in the head-on collision of two Georgia Railroad trains at the station in this town near Augusta. The train bound from Augusta to Atlanta overran a switch and struck a train bound to Augusta from Atlanta which was standing at the depot.
December 24 – Germany – Großheringen: A double-headed express from Berlin to Basel runs past signals and crashes into an Erfurt-Leipzig local on the junction next to a bridge. Some wreckage and bodies end up in the river Saale; 33 people are killed, 7 missing, and 27 seriously injured.
1936
January 15 – United Kingdom – A Great Western Railway freight train divided at , Oxfordshire leaving six wagons on the main line. A following sleeping car express hauled by King Class locomotive 6007 King William III runs into the wagons at almost . Two people are killed.
April 16 – Japan – At the Sumitomo Mine in Tadakuma, Iizuka, the cable snaps on the cable railway used by workers, and the emergency brakes do not hold. The 9-car train runs away and 52 people are killed, 2 missing, and 28 injured.
June 22 – USSR – At Karymskoye, now in Russia, a train is allowed to set out while the track ahead is occupied. The rear-end collision kills 51 people and injures 52; the stationmaster is sentenced to death and eight other people to prison.
July 25 - United States - Denver & Rio Grande Western 346, at the time on loan to the Colorado & Southern, wrecked on Kenosha Pass after the engineer failed to slow down for a corner. The engine was running light and only the engineer was killed, the fireman seeing the impending wreck jumped clear of the engine.
August 30 - New Zealand - 1936 Paraparaumu train wreck, in Paraparaumu, a passenger train travelling from Auckland to Wellington derailed in Paraparaumu after striking a landslide that slid on the tracks during a heave rain. One person was killed and five people were injured.
October 1 – Poland – A German passenger train from Berlin to Piala (now Baltiysk, Russia) ) collides with a freight at Lamberg in the Polish Corridor, killing 20 people and injuring 150.
October 10 – Colombia – A trainload of troops is sent to combat bandits; the two rear cars break away, perhaps because of sabotage, and overturn, killing 30 people and injuring 40.
United Kingdom – A Southern Railway boat train catches fire at station, Hampshire due to an electrical fault.
1937
January 16 – China – Sheklung: Aboard an express from Hong Kong to Canton (now Guangzhou), fire broke out in the third-class section. One source refers to a passenger setting fire to a toy made of celluloid, another to a sulfuric acid explosion. The train has neither continuous brakes nor any way to notify the driver. The three rear cars of the train are completely burned and bodies of passengers who jumped are scattered along the tracks. Altogether 112 people are killed and at least 40 injured.
February 15 – United Kingdom – A London and North Eastern Railway express passenger train derailed at Sleaford North Junction, Lincolnshire due to excessive speed on a curve killing four and injuring 15.
March 1 – United Kingdom – A Great Western Railway passenger train collided with a freight train at , Buckinghamshire and derailed killing one and injuring six.
March 8 – United Kingdom – A London and North Eastern Railway passenger train derailed at , Lincolnshire due to defective track.
March – USSR – An official announcement states that 72 employees of the Soviet Railways have been found responsible for an accident in Siberia (now in Russia) and executed, and another 3,000 railway officials are under arrest; presumably this is actually part of the Great Purge.
April 2 – United Kingdom – Battersea Park rail crash: Two passenger trains collide killing 10 and injuring 17. The signalman believed there was a fault with his equipment and overrode the interlocking.
April 26 – United States – Dominguez Canyon rail crash: A Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad passenger train crashed into Wells Gulch at around 20:00 due to burned out trestle, killing 2 and injuring 7. The engineer, CD Freeman, and the fireman, FS Perkins, were killed when the train fell through the unsupported rails due to the trestle having burned out earlier in the day. Due to the darkness the crew did not realize that the trestle had burned out; the crash was ruled accidental.
June 13 – United Kingdom – A London and North Eastern Railway passenger train derails south of Durham because the driver misreads signals. Nine people are injured.
June 28 – United Kingdom – A Southern Railway passenger train overruns signals and crashes into an electricity substation at ), Kent. The train had been ordered to make an unscheduled stop at Swanley but the driver was not told of this. Four people were killed.
July 17 – British India – An express from Punjab to Howrah derails on damaged track at Bihta, and four cars telescoped together; 107 people were killed and about 65 injured. The Bihta deputy traffic controller was convicted for allowing trains to run at full speed after the track damage was reported. Testing reveals that the damage was caused by the Class XB locomotives in use on the line, which were prone to dangerous oscillations when running at speed.
July 29 – France – At Villeneuve-Saint-Georges station just outside Paris, railway staff became confused as to whether PLM railway train 107 was going toward Melun or its actual destination of Nîmes. The power-operated switch was moved while the train was crossing it at , and the derailment killed 29 people.
November 16 – United Kingdom – A Great Western Railway steam railcar overruns a signal and diverts into a short siding. It overruns the buffers and collides with a signal box at Ealing, London.
November 17 – United Kingdom – A London, Midland and Scottish Railway passenger train overruns signals and rear-ends an express passenger train at Coppenhall Junction, Crewe, Cheshire.
November 18 – Canada – Thirteen cars of a Canadian Pacific Railway train derail near Red Rock, Ontario with some of the cars falling onto the adjacent Canadian National Railways track, effectively blocking traffic on both railways.
December 4 – Spain – A 10-car steam train and a 2-car electric one collide at Valencia, killing 20 people.
December 10 – United Kingdom – Castlecary rail accident: A London and North Eastern Railway Edinburgh-Glasgow commuter express, travelling in white-out conditions, passes a danger signal and rear-ends a local train standing in the station; 35 are killed and 179 injured, most seriously. The local had been running late.
1938
January 3 – China – A train from Canton (now Guangzhou) to Hankou (now Wuhan) derails owing to subsidence at Shinchow. At least 100 people are killed and injured.
January 3 – China – A train from Canton (now Guangzhou) to Wachung hits debris in a tunnel damaged by Japanese bombs; 42 are killed.
January 16 – China – Fire breaks out, possibly due to arson, aboard an express on the Kowloon-Canton Railway, Kowloon being in Hong Kong, and Canton now being Guangzhou. There are 87 people killed and 30 injured, all in one car of the train.
January 21 – United Kingdom – An express passenger train collides with an empty coaching stock train at Oakley Junction, Bedfordshire due to a signalman's error. Three people are killed and 46 injured.
March 10 - United Kingdom - Charing Cross (Northern Line) tube crash, in Charing Cross, a London Underground train collided collided onto equipment and derailed, no one was killed but 12 people sustained injuries.
March 29 – Spain – At a level crossing near Valencia, a train crashes into a gasoline truck and catches on fire; 39 people are killed.
April 4 – Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) – While running through a narrow cutting between Plumtree and Tsessebe (near the border with Bechuanaland, now Botswana), an international express from Bulawayo to Cape Town collides head-on with a freight train whose crew has been given erroneous train orders. Altogether 26 people are killed and 22 injured; rescue is impaired by the inaccessible location, but some uninjured passengers give first aid to the victims.
May 17 - United Kingdom - Charing Cross (District Line) tube crash, in Charing Cross, a London Underground train on the District Line collided with another train during maintenance, 6 people were killed and 46 people were injured.
June 19 – United States – Custer Creek train wreck: Milwaukee Road's Olympian plunges into Custer Creek when a 25-year-old bridge, weakened by heavy rain, collapses; 47 people killed, many victims in a tourist sleeper that is submerged in 20 feet (6 m) of water for almost 36 hours. Some bodies recovered as far as 50 miles (80 km) downstream.
July 30 – Jamaica – near Balaclava Station, five overcrowded cars derail; 32 killed, 70 injured.
August 21 – British India – At Vadamadura on the South Indian Railway, flood damage to a bridge derails a crowded train, killing 33 people and injuring 93.
August 19 – United Kingdom – A Great Western Railway express passenger train is diverted into a siding at , Monmouthshire due to a signalman's error. The train crashes through the buffers but comes to rest short of the River Usk.
September 25 – Spain – On a single-track section at Martorell, northwest of Barcelona, a special train from Vilafranca del Penedès collides with a regular train from the coast.
December 1 – United States – A school bus carrying 39 students in Sandy, Utah pulls onto a railroad track crossing during a snowstorm. A Denver & Rio Grande Western freight train comprising more than 80 cars emerged from the storm, killing the bus driver and 23 students.
December 19 – Brazil – On the Central Railway of Brazil, a passenger train crew picks up the wrong order and collides with a freight train between João Ayres and Sitio; 42 people are killed and at least 70 injured.
December 24 – Romania – At Etulia (now in Moldova), two passenger trains collide head-on on single track due to a misunderstanding between stationmasters. One is a local; the other is carrying soldiers going on leave. Altogether 93 people are killed, including a general and two colonels, and 147 are injured.
1939
January 4 – Canada – The derailment of a westbound Canadian Pacific Railway freight train near Nelson, British Columbia, kills the engineer and injures other crewmen.
January 12 – British India – At Hazaribagh on the East Indian Railway, saboteurs remove a length of rail. The locomotive of the Dehra Dun Express from Howrah actually makes it across the gap and regains the rails, but the track is sufficiently damaged that the rest of the train is derailed, with 21 deaths and 71 injuries. A reward offer of 25,000 rupees fails to lead to a prosecution. This is one of 131 sabotage attempts against the railway in a 10-year period.
January 26 – United Kingdom – An empty fish train runs into the back of a passenger train near , Hertfordshire.
January 26 – United Kingdom – A passenger train runs into the back of another near Hatfield. Two people are killed and seven are injured.
February 11 – Spain – Sarrià-Sant Gervasi: A workman's train runs away downhill, crashing into a stationary wagon and then the rear of another train; 53 are killed and at least 100 injured.
April 13 – Mexico – During the period of disruption following the nationalization of Mexico's railways, trains from Guadalajara and Laredo, Texas, collide and 12 passenger cars are destroyed; at least 26 people are killed.
April 16 - United States - In Windber, Massachusetts, a flood caused many trolley trains to wash away, the damaged trolley trains are dirty and now used as a display and a museum. no problems reported.
April 17 – British India – At Majhdia, from Calcutta (now Kolkata) on the Eastern Bengal Railway, the North Bengal Express collides with the Dacca Mail (Dacca is now Dhaka, Bangladesh), killing 35 people including two Bengal legislators, and injuring 31.
April 27 – United States – A log truck across the track sends a Union Pacific passenger train flying off the tracks in Bucoda, Washington; the train engineer and fireman were killed, along with the truck driver, while six passengers were injured.
June 1 – United Kingdom – A London and North Eastern Railway express passenger train collides with a lorry on a level crossing at Hilgay Fen, Norfolk and is derailed. Four people are killed and twelve injured.
June 8 – United Kingdom – Two passenger trains collide at station, Lancashire because one of them was departing against a danger signal.
August 5 – United Kingdom – A London, Midland and Scottish Railway express passenger train derails at Saltcoats, Ayrshire when vandals place rocks on the line. Four people are killed.
August 5 – United Kingdom – Workmen building a new military camp crossing the Southern Railway line at Bramshot Halt are struck by an express train. Three are killed and others seriously injured.
August 12 – United States – 1939 City of San Francisco derailment – An act of sabotage sends the City of San Francisco flying off a bridge in the Nevada desert; 24 passengers and crew members are killed, and five cars are destroyed. This case remains unsolved.
September 2 – France – A collision at Les Aubrais kills 35 and injures 77.
October 8 – Germany – At Gesundbrunnen in Berlin, an express from Sassnitz collides with another passenger train, killing 20 people.
October 14 – United Kingdom – , Buckinghamshire: The London Midland and Scottish Railway Night Scot express passenger train collides with a LNWR Class G1 locomotive that was adding a van at the rear of a Euston-Inverness passenger train at Bletchley railway station, demolishing a part of the station. Five people are killed and over 30 are injured. Both drivers of the Night Scot failed to observe several signals properly.
October 16 – United Kingdom – A London Midland and Scottish Railway train is involved in an accident at Winwick Junction, Cheshire. The report into the accident is declared secret due to World War II.
October 21 – Mexico – A freight train from Veracruz to the Pacific coast, with workers and their families on board, derails and catches fire between Santa Lucrecia and Matías Romero; 40 are killed.
October 26 – Germany – An accident at St. Valentin (now in Austria) kills at least 20 people and seriously injures 30.
October 30 – Italy – An electric train from Milan to Rome gets only as far as Lambrate before colliding with an express from Venice; about 20 are killed.
November 12 – Germany – On the single-track branch line, now in Poland, between Cosel and Bauerwitz (now Koźle and Baborów), a signalman's error at Rosengrund (now Zakrzów) causes a collision of two crowded local trains between there and Langlieben (now Długomiłowice). There are 43 dead and 60 injured.
November 20 – Germany – At Spandau in Berlin, nine people die in a collision.
November 26 – Germany – Nieder Wöllstadt: 15 people die in a collision.
December 1 – Romania – A construction special, carrying workers and materials for a new branch from Avrig to nearby Mârșa, runs away downhill and crashes near Sibiu; 20 people die and 16 are seriously injured.
December 12 – Germany – Hagen: A head-on collision results in the deaths of 15 people.
December 22 – Germany – Genthin rail disaster: Collision when train D180 drives into previously delayed and overcrowded train D10 from Berlin to Cologne. 278 dead, 453 injured. Highest number of fatalities ever in an accident in Germany.
December 22 – Germany – Markdorf, near Lake Constance: Mistake of a traffic controller leads to a head-on collision of a passenger train and a cargo train. 101 dead, 47 injured.
December 30 – Italy – A troop train stops at Torre Annunziata to be overtaken by the Calabria express, but cannot be sidetracked because the points are frozen. The troop train is ordered to proceed, but the express runs past signals and crashes into it, results in the deaths of 29 people.
See also
London Underground accidents
References
Sources
External links
Railroad train wrecks 1907–2007
Rail accidents 1930-1939
20th-century railway accidents | List of rail accidents (1930–1939) | [
"Technology"
] | 6,468 | [
"Railway accidents and incidents",
"Lists of railway accidents and incidents"
] |
70,855,353 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aureoverticillactam | Aureoverticillactam is an antifungal macrocyclic lactam with the molecular formula C28H39NO4 which is produced by the marine bacterium Streptomyces aureoverticillatus. Aureoverticillactam has also cytotoxic activity.
References
Further reading
Aureoverticillactam
Macrocycles
Lactams
Polyenes
Triols | Aureoverticillactam | [
"Chemistry"
] | 86 | [
"Organic compounds",
"Organic compound stubs",
"Organic chemistry stubs",
"Macrocycles"
] |
70,855,399 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium%20signaling%20in%20Arabidopsis | Calcium signaling in Arabidopsis is a calcium mediated signalling pathway that Arabidopsis plants use in order to respond to a stimuli. In this pathway, Ca2+ works as a long range communication ion, allowing for rapid communication throughout the plant. Systemic changes in metabolites such as glucose and sucrose takes a few minutes after the stimulus, but gene transcription occurs within seconds. Because hormones, peptides and RNA travel through the vascular system at lower speeds than the plants response to wounds, indicates that Ca2+ must be involved in the rapid signal propagation. Instead of local communication to nearby cells and tissues, Ca2+ uses mass flow within the vascular system to help with rapid transport throughout the plant. Ca2+ moving through the xylem and phloem acts through a “calcium signature” receptor system in cells where they integrate the signal and respond with the activation of defense genes. These calcium signatures encode information about the stimulus allowing the response of the plant to cater towards the type of stimulus.
Calcium wound/damage response
Different kinds of stimuli result in different responses within the Arabidopsis plant. A wound or damage to the plant causes a wound-activated surface potential (WASP) changes that serve as an alert message to undamaged tissues. This wound response results in a plasma membrane depolarization, H+ and Ca2+ efflux and K+ influx, causing an action potential. This action potential causes Ca2+ cytosolic concentration to increase, therefore sending calcium into the phloem, where the signaling is spread, and as it arrives to systemic tissues. Because of the various stimuli perceived by the plant, abiotic and biotic stress results in different amplitudes, durations, frequencies and localizations of Ca2+ concentrations. These “calcium signatures” encode information about the nature of the stimulus and different signatures are sensed by different sensor proteins. With herbivory being an abiotic stressor, Ca2+ is sensed by the regulatory ubiquitin protein calmodulin, which phosphorylates JAV1. In turn, it ubiquitinates JAV1 so it no longer inhibits the biosynthesis of JA, giving a rapid increase of the JA hormone. This increase signals the defense system to begin transcribing JA inducible defense genes against herbivory. Alert messages are generated and propagated throughout the plant to undamaged tissues through WASPs, Ca2+, and hormonal signals, such as JA.
Calcium cold response
When an Arabidopsis plant is subjected to cold temperatures, it induces cold response genes. In order for cold genes to be expressed, COLD1 receptors that are present on the plants surface sense the cold temperature and activate Ca2+ channels, these channels include: MCA1, MCA2 and other undetermined channels. The activation of Ca2+ channels allows for Ca2+ to move into the cell and increase cellular Ca2+ concentration. The concentration and duration of Ca2+ within the cell is determined by the plants acclimation to the temperature, as well as the intensity and length of cold duration. During increased Ca2+ concentrations, Ca2+ is used as a second messenger to increase the concentration of Ca2+ dependent protein kinase (CPKs). During times of increased Ca2+ concentrations, Ca2+ also binds to calmodulin on the CRLK and AtSR1/CAMTA3. Activation of the CRLK causes an MAPK cascade that activates the MAPK pathway, signaling for the suppression of ICE1 degradation: ICE1 encodes a transcription factor that promotes production of CBF/DREB genes. AtSR1 also binds to the promoter region of CBF and promotes CBF gene expression. CBF and DREB transcription proteins are then synthesized and bind to the promoter of cold induced genes DRE and CRT. Binding to the promoter region of the cold induced genes increases the rate of transcription of cold genes, allowing the Arabidopsis plant to become more acclimated to the cold. This Ca2+ signaling cascade, and transcription of cold genes in response to cold temperatures, allows for the plants survival.
References
Arabidopsis
Calcium signaling
Calcium channels
Ions
Stimulants | Calcium signaling in Arabidopsis | [
"Physics",
"Chemistry"
] | 864 | [
"Ions",
"Calcium signaling",
"Matter",
"Signal transduction"
] |
70,855,438 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxungen | A toxungen comprises a secretion or other bodily fluid containing one or more biological toxins that is transferred by one animal to the external surface of another animal via a physical delivery mechanism with or without direct contact between the secreting animal and the victim. Toxungens can be delivered through spitting, spraying, or smearing. As one of three categories of biological toxins, toxungens can be distinguished from poisons, which are passively transferred via ingestion, inhalation, or absorption across the skin, and venoms, which are delivered through a wound generated by direct contact in the form of a bite, sting, or other such action. Toxungen use offers the evolutionary advantage of delivering toxins into the target's tissues without the need for physical contact. Animals that deploy toxungens are referred to as toxungenous.
Taxonomic distribution
Toxungens have evolved in a variety of animals, including flatworms, insects, arachnids, cephalopods, amphibians, and reptiles.
Toxungen use possibly also exists in birds, as a number of species deploy defensive secretions from their stomachs, uropygial glands, or cloacas, and some anoint themselves with heterogenously acquired chemicals from millipedes, caterpillars, beetles, plant materials, and even manufactured pesticides. Some of the described substances may be toxic, at least to ectoparasites, which would qualify them as toxungens.
Toxungen use might also exist in several mammal groups. Slow lorises (genus Nycticebus), which comprise several species of nocturnal primates in Southeast Asia, produce a secretion in their brachial glands (a scent gland near their armpit) that possesses apparent toxicity. When the secretion is licked and combined with saliva, their bite introduces the secretion into a wound, which can cause sometimes severe tissue injury to conspecifics and other aggressors, thereby functioning as a venom. They can also rub the secretion on their fur or lick their offspring before stashing them in a secure location, thereby functioning potentially as a toxungen. Skunks and several other members of Mephitidae and Mustelidae spray a noxious and potentially injurious secretion from their anal sac when threatened. High concentrations of the spray can be toxic, with rare accounts of spray victims suffering injury and even death.
Although the extinct theropod Dilophosaurus was portrayed in the original Jurassic Park and Jurassic World Dominion films as capable of spitting a toxic secretion, no evidence exists to suggest that any dinosaur possessed either a toxungen or venom.
Classification of toxin deployment
Some animals use their toxins in multiple ways, and can be classified as poisonous, toxungenous, and/or venomous. Examples include the scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus, which is both toxungenous (can spray its toxins) and venomous (can inject its toxins), and the snake Rhabdophis tigrinus, which is poisonous (sequesters toad and/or firefly toxins in its nuchal gland tissues that are toxic if consumed by a predator), toxungenous (the nuchal glands are pressurized and can spray the toxins when ruptured), and venomous (toxic oral gland secretions can be injected via the teeth). Even humans can be considered facultatively poisonous, toxungenous, and venomous because they sometimes make use of toxins by all three means for research and development (e.g., biomedical purposes), agriculture (e.g., spraying insecticides), and nefarious reasons (to kill other animals, including humans).
Evolution and function
Toxungen deployment offers a key evolutionary advantage compared to poisons and venoms. Poisons and venoms require direct contact with the target animal, which puts the toxin-possessing animal at risk of injury and death from a potentially dangerous enemy. Evolving the capacity to spit or spray a toxic secretion can reduce this risk by delivering the toxins from a distance.
Toxins used as toxungens can be acquired by several means. Many species synthesize their own toxins and store them within glands, but others acquire their toxins exogenously from other species. Two examples illustrate exogenous acquisition. Snakes of the genus Rhabdophis sequester their nuchal gland toxins from their diet of toads and/or fireflies, Blue-ringed octopuses (genus Hapalochlaeana) acquire tetrodotoxin, the highly toxic non-proteinaceous component of their salivary glands that can be ejected into the water to subdue nearby prey, via accumulation from food resources and/or symbiotic tetrodotoxin-producing bacteria.
Toxungens are most commonly used for defensive purposes, but can be used in other contexts as well. Examples of toxungen use for predation include the blue-ringed octopus, which can squirt its secretion into water to immobilize or kill its prey, and ants of the genus Crematogaster that cooperatively subdue their prey by seizing, spread-eagling, and then smearing their toxins onto the prey's surface. Toxungens can also be used for communication and hygiene. Many hymenopterans possess a secretion used as a venom (injected for predation and/or defense) that can also be sprayed to communicate alarm among nestmates, to mark a trail used for food gathering, or to keep their brood free of parasites.
Because of their unique delivery system, toxungens may be chemically designed to better penetrate body surfaces. Arthropods that spray or smear their secretion onto insect prey enhance toxin penetration by including a spreading agent that additionally enhances toxicity. Some Spitting cobras have modified their secretion so that the cardiotoxins are more injurious to eye membranes.
References
Animal physiology
Toxins | Toxungen | [
"Biology",
"Environmental_science"
] | 1,254 | [
"Toxins",
"Animals",
"Animal physiology",
"Toxicology"
] |
70,855,725 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goyang%20%28fermented%20food%29 | Goyang is a fermented, lightly acidic vegetable food of the Himalayan Sherpa people of Sikkim state and Darjeeling hills of India, and Nepal. It is prepared during the summer monsoon season when the leaves of the wild plant Cardamine macrophylla Willd., with the local name magane-saag, belonging to the family Brassicaceae are available abundantly for the picking in the surrounding hillside.
Preparation
The magane-saag leaves are collected, washed, cut, drained, and pressed into bamboo baskets lined with local fig leaves. The baskets are covered with more fig leaves and stored at room temperature for nearly a month, allowing the magane-saag leaves to ferment. The goyang is now ready and transferred to airtight containers where it is stored for two or three months. If the fermented goyang is shaped into tightly-pressed balls and dried in the sun for several days, its shelf life may be extended.
Culinary practice
Goyang is most commonly prepared in Sherpa homes, there being no reports of its sale in the markets. It is generally boiled with yak meat or beef, along with noodles, to make a thukpa of heavy consistency, a regularly eaten Sherpa food.
Notes
Bibliography
Darjeeling
Indian cuisine
Nepalese cuisine
Fermented foods | Goyang (fermented food) | [
"Biology"
] | 273 | [
"Fermented foods",
"Biotechnology products"
] |
70,856,028 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning%20augmented%20algorithm | A learning augmented algorithm is an algorithm that can make use of a prediction to improve its performance.
Whereas in regular algorithms just the problem instance is inputted, learning augmented algorithms accept an extra parameter.
This extra parameter often is a prediction of some property of the solution.
This prediction is then used by the algorithm to improve its running time or the quality of its output.
Description
A learning augmented algorithm typically takes an input . Here is a problem instance and is the advice: a prediction about a certain property of the optimal solution. The type of the problem instance and the prediction depend on the algorithm. Learning augmented algorithms usually satisfy the following two properties:
Consistency. A learning augmented algorithm is said to be consistent if the algorithm can be proven to have a good performance when it is provided with an accurate prediction. Usually, this is quantified by giving a bound on the performance that depends on the error in the prediction.
Robustnesss. An algorithm is called robust if its worst-case performance can be bounded even if the given prediction is inaccurate.
Learning augmented algorithms generally do not prescribe how the prediction should be done. For this purpose machine learning can be used.
Examples
Binary search
The binary search algorithm is an algorithm for finding elements of a sorted list . It needs steps to find an element with some known value in a list of length .
With a prediction for the position of , the following learning augmented algorithm can be used.
First, look at position in the list. If , the element has been found.
If , look at positions until an index with is found.
Now perform a binary search on .
If , do the same as in the previous case, but instead consider .
The error is defined to be , where is the real index of .
In the learning augmented algorithm, probing the positions takes steps.
Then a binary search is performed on a list of size at most , which takes steps. This makes the total running time of the algorithm .
So, when the error is small, the algorithm is faster than a normal binary search. This shows that the algorithm is consistent.
Even in the worst case, the error will be at most . Then the algorithm takes at most steps, so the algorithm is robust.
More examples
Learning augmented algorithms are known for:
The ski rental problem
The maximum weight matching problem
The weighted paging problem
See also
Machine learning
References
External links
An overview of publications about learning augmented algorithms
Algorithms
Theoretical computer science | Learning augmented algorithm | [
"Mathematics"
] | 486 | [
"Theoretical computer science",
"Algorithms",
"Mathematical logic",
"Applied mathematics"
] |
70,856,850 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubry%E2%80%93Andr%C3%A9%20model | The Aubry–André model is a toy model of a one-dimensional crystal with periodically varying onsite energies. The model is employed to study both quasicrystals and the Anderson localization metal-insulator transition in disordered systems. It was first developed by Serge Aubry and Gilles André in 1980.
Hamiltonian of the model
The Aubry–André model describes a one-dimensional lattice with hopping between nearest-neighbor sites and periodically varying onsite energies. It is a tight-binding (single-band) model with no interactions. The full Hamiltonian can be written as
,
where the sum goes over all lattice sites , is a Wannier state on site , is the hopping energy, and the on-site energies are given by
.
Here is the amplitude of the variation of the onsite energies, is a relative phase, and is the period of the onsite potential modulation in units of the lattice constant. This Hamiltonian is self-dual as it retains the same form after a Fourier transformation interchanging the roles of position and momentum.
Metal-insulator phase transition
For irrational values of , corresponding to a modulation of the onsite energy incommensurate with the underlying lattice, the model exhibits a quantum phase transition between a metallic phase and an insulating phase as is varied. For example, for (the golden ratio) and almost any , if the eigenmodes are exponentially localized, while if the eigenmodes are extended plane waves. The Aubry-André metal-insulator transition happens at the critical value of which separates these two behaviors, .
While this quantum phase transition between a metallic delocalized state and an insulating localized state resembles the disorder-driven Anderson localization transition, there are some key differences between the two phenomena. In particular the Aubry–André model has no actual disorder, only incommensurate modulation of onsite energies. This is why the Aubry-André transition happens at a finite value of the pseudo-disorder strength , whereas in one dimension the Anderson transition happens at zero disorder strength.
Energy spectrum
The energy spectrum is a function of and is given by the almost Mathieu equation
.
At this is equivalent to the famous fractal energy spectrum known as the Hofstadter's butterfly, which describes the motion of an electron in a two-dimensional lattice under a magnetic field. In the Aubry–André model the magnetic field strength maps onto the parameter .
Realization
Iin 2008, G. Roati et al experimentally realized the Aubry-André localization phase transition using a gas of ultracold atoms in an incommensurate optical lattice.
In 2009, Y. Lahini et al. realized the Aubry–André model in photonic lattices.
See also
Arnold tongue
Bose–Hubbard model
References
Condensed matter physics | Aubry–André model | [
"Physics",
"Chemistry",
"Materials_science",
"Engineering"
] | 579 | [
"Phases of matter",
"Condensed matter physics",
"Matter",
"Materials science"
] |
70,857,385 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiangyun%20%28Auspicious%20clouds%29 | Xiangyun (), are traditional Chinese stylized clouds decorative patterns. They are also known as yunwen (), auspicious clouds, lucky clouds, and sometimes abbreviated as clouds () in English. A type of xiangyun which was perceived as being especially auspicious is the five-coloured clouds, called qingyun (), which is more commonly known as wuse yun () or wucai xiangyun (), which was perceived as an indicator of a kingdom at peace.
Xiangyun are one of the most auspicious patterns used in China and have a very long history. Clouds motifs have appeared in China as early as the Shang dynasty and Eastern Zhou dynasty. They are one of the oldest decorations and ornaments used in Chinese art, Chinese architecture, furniture, and Chinese textile and Chinese clothing. When used on Chinese textile, xiangyun can take many various forms, including having the appearance of Chinese character wan () or the appearance of the lingzhi. Xiangyun motif has been transmitted from generation to generation in China and is still valued in present days China for its aesthetic and cultural value. Xiangyun was also introduced in Japan, where it became known as zuiun.
Cultural significance and symbolism
Auspicious significance
Clouds motifs is rooted in agrarian society culture of the Chinese people. Clouds are associated with good luck as the cloud makes rain which moisten all things, and therefore, it brings good fortune to people.
In Chinese language, clouds are called yun () which is a homonym for the Chinese character yun "good fortune" ().
In Chinese culture, clouds (especially the five-coloured clouds) are perceived as an auspicious sign (e.g. an omen of peace), a symbol of Heaven, and the expression of the Will of Heaven. They also symbolize happiness and good luck.
Association with Taoism and Chinese cosmology
The clouds physical characteristics (being wispy and vaporous in nature) were associated with the Taoist concept of qi (), especially yuanqi, and the cosmological forces at work; i.e. the yuanqi was the origins of the Heavens and Earth, and all things were created from the interaction between the yin and yang. As the ancient pictograph of qi looked like rising steam, ancient Chinese believed that the Qi was the clouds and the clouds was the qi.
Association with deities, Chinese Immortals, and the Will of Heaven
Early in its history, clouds were often perceived under a ritual or liturgical lens where xiangyun were oftentimes associated with the presence of deities and were considered a good omen indicating the arrival of good fortune.
In Chinese mythologies, mythological creatures and deities use clouds as their mount. Clouds were also closely associated with the Chinese immortals (called xian) and their residence on Mount Penglai.
Xiangyun were also symbolic motifs which implied immortality.
In the Han dynasty, auspicious signs () were popular; the Han dynasty Emperors would interpret xiangrui as an indicator of the Mandate of Heaven. In that period, the sighting of xiangyun in the sky and its association its auspicious characteristics was recorded in the Chapter Fengshanshu 《封禪書》of the Shiji by Sima Qian, where it was described as "an unusual cloud formation [...] in the sky northeast of Chang'an a supernatural emanation had appeared, made of five colours [五彩] and shaped like a man’s hat"; the record continues with the following suggestion: "since Heaven has sent down this auspicious sign [referring to xiangyun], it is right that places of worship should be set up to offer sacrifices to the Lord on High in an answer to his omen". In this period, the people of the Han dynasty therefore interpreted the apparitions of the five-coloured clouds in the sky as an expression of the Will of Heaven.
History
Ancient
Earliest yunleiwen pattern appeared in the Sanxingdui archaeological site, dated from 1131 BC to 1012 BC, on the jade zhang blade and on a bronze altar.
Cloud motifs in China appeared as early as the Eastern Zhou dynasty and earlier. They can be traced back to the vortex pattern used to decorate prehistoric painted pottery, to the yunleiwen (), which somewhat resemble the meander patterns, and to the cloud scroll patterns which were used in the Warring States period. All these early depictions of cloud motifs however eventually evolved with time changing in shape and colours and further matured in the Han dynasty.
Han dynasty
In the Han dynasty, stories on Chinese immortals became popular and the popular of the cloud motif grew. The cloud patterns gained more artistic beauty which were associated with the concept of immortality and were formalized. These cloud motifs were then used in various ways, such as in architecture, clothing, utensils, and coffins. They were also combined with other animals (e.g. birds) and mythological creatures (e.g. Chinese dragons).
Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern dynasties
During the Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern dynasties, the cloud motifs looked like streamers.
Sui and Tang dynasty
In the Sui and Tang dynasties, the cloud motifs looked like flowers; it looked realistic, plump, and very decorative. They became an established theme on ceramic ware since the Tang dynasty and would symbolize happiness or good luck. Their shapes became more and more diverse in the Tang dynasty and cloud motifs were coupled with the images of other creatures.
Song and Yuan dynasties
In the Song and Yuan dynasties, the cloud motifs were ruyi-like.
Ming dynasty
In the Ming dynasty, there was a unique form of cloud motifs which looked like a gourd.
Qing dynasty
Modern
The yunleiwen patterns remained popular in modern times and continue to be used on contemporary tableware.
Shapes of auspicious clouds
Yunleiwen/ Yunwen/ Leiwen
The yunleiwen was also known as cloud-and-thunder motif, meander border, or meander order in English. It was sometimes also referred as yunwen (cloud pattern) or leiwen (thunder pattern) in Chinese. It was a form of repetitive pattern similar to a meander. It came in various shapes; some looked like juxtaposed squared-off spirals; others looked like stylized angular "S" repeated designs which could be sometimes sometimes connected or disconnected.
The yunleiwen pattern was a symbol of the life-giving and the abundance in harvest that the rain would bring to the people in an agrarian society. The pattern may have been derived from the symbols and ancient characters for clouds and thunder which had been used by the ancient Chinese when performing the worship of rain rituals. The yunleiwen can be found in the textiles dating to the Shang and Zhou dynasties and in sacred bronze vessels of the Zhou dynasty.
The yunleiwen motif continues to be used in 21st century as border decoration on contemporary tableware.
Influences and derivatives
Central Asia and Islamic art
Chinese arts have increasingly impacted arts of Central Asia and Iran, such as painting and pottery, during the Tang dynasty. Under the Liao dynasty, the Chinese cloud motifs coupled with animal motifs were gradually introduced to Central Asia.
Following the Mongol invasion, Chinese influences on the arts of Central Asia and Iran reached its peak during the Islamic period; it was a period when Chinese models and motifs influenced Persian designs and thus, the Chinese ways of depicting clouds, mountains, trees and facial features were imitated and adopted. In the late 13th century, the Iranians especially favoured cloud motifs (often coupled with animals) in their arts, including textiles, and paintings as landscape elements.
Japan
Xiangyun was introduced from China to Japan where it became known as zuiun or Reishi mushroom cloud; under the influence of China, Japan started to use various forms of clouds designs in the Asuka period. They gained different names based on their shapes; e.g. kumodori (soft and drifting clouds). Zuiun is characterized by a swirly shape which looks like a reishi mushroom and also express an auspicious omen. Some clouds patterns in Japan were localized and developed from the shape of the Chinese clouds; such as the clouds developed by Ninsei. which were simpler in shape and were presented as mass of clouds instead of a group of clouds. Ninsei's cloud-style was then adapted and later evolved into cloud outline which were then applied on all types of Japanese ceramics.
See also
Chinese auspicious ornaments in textile and clothing
Chinese ornamental gold silk
Chinese embroidery
Notes
References
Chinese art
Chinese folk art
Chinese traditions
Visual motifs
Ornaments | Xiangyun (Auspicious clouds) | [
"Mathematics"
] | 1,754 | [
"Symbols",
"Visual motifs"
] |
70,858,384 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20Chinese%20symbols%2C%20designs%2C%20and%20art%20motifs | A list of Chinese symbols, designs, and art motifs, including decorative ornaments, patterns, auspicious symbols, and iconography elements, used in Chinese visual arts, sorted in different theme categories. Chinese symbols and motifs are more than decorative designs as they also hold symbolic but hidden meanings which have been used and understood by the Chinese people for thousand of years; they often influenced by nature, which include the fauna, the flora, landscape, and clouds. Chinese symbols often have auspicious meanings associated to them, such as good fortune, happiness, and also represent what would be considered as human virtues, such as filial piety, loyalty, and wisdom, and can even convey the desires or wishes of the Chinese people to experience the good things in life. There are also special symbols in Chinese arts, such as the qilin, and the Chinese dragon. According to Chinese beliefs, being surrounding by objects which are decorated with such auspicious symbols and motifs was and continues to be believed to increase the likelihood that those wishes would be fulfilled even in present-day. Chinese symbols and motifs are often found in Chinese decorative arts, porcelain ware, clothing, and personal adornments.
Categorized sets or collections
Chinese zodiac
Eight Auspicious pattern (Bajixiang 八吉祥): The Eight Auspicious symbols of Buddhism
Eight treasures (Babao 八寶)/ Eight precious things
Flowers of the Four Seasons
Four gentlemen
Five Poisons
Four symbols
Twelve ornaments
Natural landscape and cosmology
Clouds, sun, stars, and moon
Waves and sea
Animals
Mammals
Birds
Birds were symbols of literary refinement of the scholars with ability to fly towards the Heaven.
Fish
Insects
Imaginary animals
Chimeral animals
Bird-like creatures
Animal-like creatures
Composite
Plants, flowers, and trees
Flowers
Trees and plants
Composite
Fruits, vegetables, kernels, mushroom, and seeds
Fruits
Mushroom
Inanimate objects
Chinese characters
Taoist religion
Taoist deities and immortals
In present day China, the and other Chinese folk deities continue to be perceived as powerful carrier of good fortune. The Queen Mother of the West, Xi Wangmu, who is often figured in Chinese stories, is associated with symbols of longevity in Chinese arts as the peaches of immortality are believed to grow in her celestial peach orchard according to folklore stories.
Taoist symbols
Buddhism religion
Buddhist entities
Borders/ meander, and repeated patterns
Related concepts
Five blessings
Chinese numerology
Five colours
Yansheng coins
See also
Chinese ornamental gold silk
Chinese embroidery
Chinese auspicious ornaments in textile and clothing
Notes
References
Bibliography
Chinese art
Chinese folk art
Chinese traditions
Chinese iconography
Visual motifs
Ornaments | List of Chinese symbols, designs, and art motifs | [
"Mathematics"
] | 521 | [
"Symbols",
"Visual motifs"
] |
70,858,867 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileana%20Chinnici | Ileana Chinnici is an Italian historian of astronomy, book author, and biographer, whose biography of Angelo Secchi won the 2021 Osterbrock Book Prize of the American Astronomical Society.
Education and career
Chinnici earned a degree in physics in 1992 from the University of Palermo with a dissertation concerning Italian astronomer Pietro Tacchini, supervised by Giorgia Foderà. After working as a secondary school teacher, and a visiting position at the Paris Observatory, she joined the Palermo Astronomical Observatory as a research fellow in 1995, and became curator of the observatory's museum of astronomy in 1996. Since 2004 she has been a research astronomer at the observatory, in charge of museum activities. She has also been an adjunct astronomer with the Vatican Observatory since approximately 2009.
Books
Chinnici's books include:
L'osseruatorio astronomico di Palermo, la storia e gli strumenti (with Giorgia Foder Serio, Flaccovio Ed., 1997)
La carte du ciel: Correspondence inédite conservée dans les archives de l’Observatoire de Paris (edited, Paris Observatory, 1999)
Alle origini dell'astrofisica italiana: Il carteggio Secchi–Tacchini 1861–1877 (with Antonella Gasperini, Fond. Giorgio Ronchi, 2013)
Merz Telescopes: A global heritage worth preserving (edited, Springer, 2017)
Decoding the Stars: A Biography of Angelo Secchi, Jesuit and Scientist (Brill, 2019)
Angelo Secchi and Nineteenth Century Science: The Multidisciplinary Contributions of a Pioneer and Innovator (edited with Guy Consolmagno, Springer, 2021)
References
External links
Home page
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Italian historians
Italian women historians
Historians of astronomy
University of Palermo alumni | Ileana Chinnici | [
"Astronomy"
] | 381 | [
"People associated with astronomy",
"Historians of astronomy",
"History of astronomy"
] |
70,859,120 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zollpfund | The Zollpfund ("customs pound") is an historical German weight based on the old pound. In 1854, the German Customs Union, the Zollverein, fixed the pound weight at exactly 500 grammes, making it about seven percent heavier than the old unit of weight, the Pfund ("pound"). The new pound was called the Zollpfund to distinguish it. The new definition was already in use in the southern German states of Baden, Hesse and in Switzerland, and was introduced in 1858 as a state weight in northern and large parts of central Germany. The Zentner ("hundredweight") corresponded to 50 kilogrammes. As a result, the subordinate units of measurement were also widely redefined:
In north-eastern and central Germany (including Prussia), 1 Zollpfund = 30 lots = 300 (Quentchen) = 3,000 cents = 30,000 grains (Korn).
In Northwest Germany, 1 Zollpfund = 10 new lots = 100 = 1000 half grammes
In parts of central and southern Germany and in Austria, however, the old pound (Pfund) continued to be divided into 32 lots of 4 .
Today's colloquial use of the word Pfund to mean 500 grammes, goes back to the Zollpfund.
References
Literature
Bleibtreu, Leopold Carl (1863). Handbuch der Münz-, Maaß- und Gewichtskunde, und des Wechsel-, Staatspapier-, Bank- und Actienwesens europäischer und außereuropäischer Länder und Städte. Stuttgart: J. Engelhorn.
_ (1866) Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopädie für die gebildeten Stände. Conversations-Lexikon. 11th revised, improved and expanded edn. Vol. 9: Konradin bis Mauer. Leipzig: Brockhaus.
_ (1867). Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopädie für die gebildeten Stände. Conversations-Lexikon. 11th revised, improved and expanded edn. Vol. 11: Occupation bis Prämie. Leipzig: Brockhaus.
Units of mass
Units of measurement of the Holy Roman Empire | Zollpfund | [
"Physics",
"Mathematics"
] | 478 | [
"Matter",
"Quantity",
"Units of mass",
"Mass",
"Units of measurement"
] |
70,859,607 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local%20invariant%20cycle%20theorem | In mathematics, the local invariant cycle theorem was originally a conjecture of Griffiths which states that, given a surjective proper map from a Kähler manifold to the unit disk that has maximal rank everywhere except over 0, each cohomology class on is the restriction of some cohomology class on the entire if the cohomology class is invariant under a circle action (monodromy action); in short,
is surjective. The conjecture was first proved by Clemens. The theorem is also a consequence of the BBD decomposition.
Deligne also proved the following. Given a proper morphism over the spectrum of the henselization of , an algebraically closed field, if is essentially smooth over and smooth over , then the homomorphism on -cohomology:
is surjective, where are the special and generic points and the homomorphism is the composition
See also
Hodge theory
Notes
References
Morrison, David R. The Clemens-Schmid exact sequence and applications, Topics in transcendental algebraic geometry (Princeton, N.J., 1981/1982), 101-119, Ann. of Math. Stud., 106, Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ, 1984.
Algebraic geometry | Local invariant cycle theorem | [
"Mathematics"
] | 248 | [
"Theorems in algebraic geometry",
"Theorems in geometry"
] |
70,859,669 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine%20resources | Marine resources are resources (physical and biological entities) that are found in oceans and are useful for humans. The term was popularized through Sustainable Development Goal 14 which is about "Life below water" and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording of the goal is to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development".
Marine resources include:
biological diversity (marine biodiversity)
ecosystem services from marine ecosystems, such as marine coastal ecosystems and coral reefs
fish and seafood
minerals (for example deep sea mining)
oil and gas
renewable energy resources, such as marine energy
sand and gravel
tourism potential
Global goals
The text of Target 14.7 of Sustainable Development Goal 14 states: "By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism".
Fisheries and aquaculture can contribute to alleviating poverty, hunger, malnutrition and economic growth. The contribution of sustainable fisheries to the global GDP was around 0.1% per year.
See also
Effects of climate change on oceans
Human impact on marine life
Marine conservation
References
Natural resources
Oceanography | Marine resources | [
"Physics",
"Environmental_science"
] | 250 | [
"Oceanography",
"Hydrology",
"Applied and interdisciplinary physics"
] |
70,859,961 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semistable%20reduction%20theorem | In algebraic geometry, semistable reduction theorems state that, given a proper flat morphism , there exists a morphism (called base change) such that is semistable (i.e., the singularities are mild in some sense). Precise formulations depend on the specific versions of the theorem.
For example, if is the unit disk in , then "semistable" means that the special fiber is a divisor with normal crossings.
The fundamental semistable reduction theorem for Abelian varieties by Grothendieck shows that if is an Abelian variety over the fraction field of a discrete valuation ring , then there is a finite field extension such that has semistable reduction over the integral closure of in . Semistability here means more precisely that if is the Néron model of over then the fibres of over the closed points (which are always a smooth algebraic groups) are extensions of Abelian varieties by tori.
Here is the algebro-geometric analogue of "small" disc around the , and the condition of the theorem states essentially that can be thought of as a smooth family of Abelian varieties away from ; the conclusion then shows that after base change this "family" extends to the so that also the fibres over the are close to being Abelian varieties.
The important semistable reduction theorem for algebraic curves was first proved by Deligne and Mumford. The proof proceeds by showing that the curve has semistable reduction if and only if its Jacobian variety (which is an Abelian variety) has semistable reduction; one then applies the theorem for Abelian varieties above.
References
Further reading
Algebraic geometry | Semistable reduction theorem | [
"Mathematics"
] | 341 | [
"Theorems in algebraic geometry",
"Theorems in geometry"
] |
70,860,396 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mintmaster%20mark | Mintmaster marks (German: Münzmeisterzeichen, abbreviation Mmz.) are often the initials of the mintmaster of a mint or small symbols (cross, star, coat of arms, heraldic device, etc.) for example at the size of the letters on a coin inscription to denote the coins made under his direction. With his mark, the mintmaster assumed responsibility for ensuing the coins issued by his mint were in accordance with the regulations. Mintmaster marks were used as early as the time of bracteate coinage in the Holy Roman Empire, but these can only rarely be deciphered. All mintmaster marks since the beginning of the minting of Thalers have been identified.
The picture on the right shows the mintmaster's mark, an acorn on a stem, of the Dresden mintmaster, Constantin Rothe, on a Reichstaler issued under Duke John George II of Saxony from the year 1662.
Variants
Sometimes there are pictographs and letters on a coin. In this case, the pictorial symbol is usually found in the circumscription of the coin and the letters are divided in the field on both sides of the coin's crest. Mintmasters often used their coats of arms as mintmaster symbols. For example in the Electorate of Saxony:
Constantin Rothe, mintmaster from 1640 to 1678 in Dresden, put the letters C-R on his coins and also the acorn on a stem from his family coat of arms.
Andreas Alnpeck, the last mintmaster of the Freiberg Mint, used a six-pointed star from 1546 to 1555 and from 1554 to 1555 also the eagle's head from his coat of arms as the mintmaster's mark.
Ernst Peter Hecht, mintmaster 1693–1714 in Leipzig, used the letters E P H as the mintmaster's mark and also the pike from his coat of arms.
In Brandenburg:
Paul Mühlrad, mintmaster 1538-1542 in Berlin put a mill wheel on his coinage.
In Mecklenburg:
Johann Hund (1512–1526) used a dog as his canting arms and subsidiary image in the corners of the cross on the Rostock schillings.
In Florence:
Alongside the marks of issue, mintmasters also set their coats of arms on Florentine gold coins.
Introduction and demise of mintmaster marks
Mintmaster marks appear from the late Middle Ages. They were largely superseded in the second half of the 19th century by mint marks in the form of a letter to designate the mint. France (Paris Mint) first replaced mintmaster marks with mint marks to designate the mint as early as the 16th century. The Berlin Mint has used the A mint mark since the middle of the 18th century.
Mintmaster mark, mint mark, signature
Occasionally, the signature of the coin engraver or just the artist's signature is also found on coins. For example, on the Speciesthaler of 1763 is the Mmz. I F ô F of the mintmaster, Johann Friedrich ô Feral of the Leipzig Mint, and on the arm section the Signum S of medallist Johann Friedrich Stieler.
The mintmaster mark should therefore not be confused with the coin signature (Signum).
There is also a risk of confusion with mint marks used to designate the mint if the mintmaster mark consists of only one letter.
It is also possible for the mintmaster's mark and artist's signature of the medallist or die cutter to be identical on a coin. For example, in the case of Palatinate coins with the mark "A S". This is the artist's signature and at the same time the mintmaster's mark of the Palatinate court medallist, coin die cutter and mint master, Anton Schäffer. As an example, see the illustration of the Flussgoldducat by Karl Theodor von der Pfalz from the year 1763.
A special feature is the use of a banker's mark as a mintmaster mark on a Giulio of the Papal States of Pope Julius II On the reverse side between the two saints St. Peter and St. Paul is the trident-shaped banker's mark of the Fugger family from Augsburg, who had financed Julius II's papal election with loans. The trident on the Giulio testifies to the Fugger's lending for the papal election.
It was not uncommon for coins to be minted without dates and without the minting authority or the even country being specified. Known mintmaster marks can allow identification of undated coins of unknown origin.
See also
Mint mark
References
Literature
Heinz Fengler, Gerd Gierow, Willy Unger: transpress Lexikon Numismatik, Berlin 1976
Paul Arnold, Harald Küthmann, Dirk Steinhilber: Großer Deutscher Münzkatalog von 1800 bis heute, Augsburg 2010
Julius Erbstein, Albert Erbstein: Erörterungen auf dem Gebiete der sächsischen Münz- und Medaillen-Geschichte bei Verzeichnung der Hofrath Engelhardt’schen Sammlung, Dresden 1888
Walther Haupt: Sächsische Münzkunde. Berlin 1974
Lienhard Buck: Die Münzen des Kurfürstentums Sachsen 1763 bis 1806, Berlin 1981
Wolfgang Steguweit: Geschichte der Münzstätte Gotha, Weimar 1987
Gerhard Krug: Die meißnisch sächsischen Groschen 1338–1500, Berlin 1974
N. Douglas Nicol: Standard Catalog of German Coins 1601 to Present, 1995
L. Krause, Clifford Mishler: 1991 standard catalog of WORLD COINS 1801–1990
Friedrich von Schrötter, N. Bauer, K. Regling, A. Suhle, R. Vasmer, J. Wilcke: Wörterbuch der Münzkunde, Berlin 1970 (reprint of original 1930 edn.)
Lotar Koppe: Die sächsisch-ernestinischen Münzen 1551 bis 1573, Regenstauf 2004
External links
Münzmeisterzeichen Numispedia
(pdf; 266 kB)
mcsearch.info: Frederick II and William (III) 1440–1464. Schildgroschen o. J. (1451/1456), Mohnkopf/Stachelrose-Freiberg. 2,13 g. Krug 1034/11.
Numismatics
Symbols | Mintmaster mark | [
"Mathematics"
] | 1,320 | [
"Symbols"
] |
70,860,687 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International%20Journal%20of%20Extreme%20Manufacturing | The International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing is a bimonthly peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal covering extreme manufacturing, ranging from fundamentals to process, measurement and systems, as well as materials, structures, and devices with extreme functionalities. The journal was established in 2019.
Abstracting and indexing
The journal is abstracted and indexed in:
Astrophysics Data System
Chemical Abstracts Service
Ei Compendex
Inspec
ProQuest databases
Science Citation Index Expanded
Scopus
According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2023 impact factor of 16.1.
References
External links
Mechanical engineering journals
English-language journals
Academic journals established in 2019
IOP Publishing academic journals
Bimonthly journals | International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing | [
"Engineering"
] | 140 | [
"Mechanical engineering journals",
"Mechanical engineering"
] |
70,862,242 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lot%20%28fineness%29 | A Lot (formerly Loth) was an old unit of measurement for the relative fineness to gross weight in metallurgy and especially in coinage until the 19th century. A Lot was thus a proportion of the precious metal content in a piece of metal. It was used in the four main monetary systems of Germany: Austrian, South German, North German and Hamburg.
The lot was defined as the sixteenth part of a Mark. For example, in silver, the total weight was divided into 16 (proportional) Lots until about 1857, according to which a "12-Lot" silver alloy (750 silver) contained 12/16 = or 75% by weight of silver and 25% of another metal (usually copper). A 14-Lot silver alloy (), on the other hand, corresponded to 875 silver. For refinement, a Lot was further divided into 18 grains. Thus 14 Lots, 4 grains fine then correspond to a fineness of 888.89 ‰ = (14 + 4 / 18) / 16 = (252 + 4)/288, i.e. 256/288 grains.
The German proportional measure, the Lot, was finally replaced on 1 January 1888 in the German Empire by the proportional measure, permille (thousandths).
See also
Carat for gold.
References
Metallurgy
Coinage metals and alloys | Lot (fineness) | [
"Chemistry",
"Materials_science",
"Engineering"
] | 273 | [
"Coinage metals and alloys",
"Metallurgy",
"Materials science",
"Alloys",
"nan"
] |
70,863,554 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clypeococcum%20bisporum | Clypeococcum bisporum is a species of lichenicolous (lichen-eating) fungus in the family Polycoccaceae. It is found in the Russian Far East, in Mongolia, and from northwest Alaska, where it grows parasitically on lichens from the genera Cetraria and Flavocetraria.
Taxonomy
Clypeococcum bisporum was scientifically described as new to science in 2009 by Russian lichenologist Mikhail Zhurbenko. The type specimen was collected by the author from the Lena river delta on Stolb Island (Yakutiya, Russia); there, the fungus was found growing parasitically on the lichen Flavocetraria cucullata, which itself was growing on the ground in tundra. The species epithet bisporum refers to its two-spored asci. Zhurbenko noted that although the general morphological profile of the fungus is consistent with Clypeococcum, all of the other known species of that genus have four- or eight-spored asci.
Description
Clypeococcum bisporum makes well-developed vegetative hyphae that are 2–3 μm in diameter, are olive-brown in colour, and completely penetrate the lobes of the host lichen. It typically grows on the base lobes of the host, although occasionally it is found on the central lobes. Infection results in a dark brown discolouration (often surrounded by a darker brown coloured rim around the margin) and shiny patches up to in diameter. The asci are more or less cylindrical with rounded tips, and measure 60–80 by 6–8 μm. Initially they contain eight immature spores; in maturity they consistently contain 2 spores. These ascospores are spindle-shaped (fusiform), divided by a single septum (both resultant cells are equal in size), and typically measure 20–27 by 5–5.5 μm. These spores are larger than those of other Clypeococcum species.
Habitat and distribution
The two known hosts for Clypeococcum bisporum are the fruticose lichens Cetraria laevigata and Flavocetraria cucullata. The fungus has been recorded from the arctic tundra and forest–tundra areas of the Lower Lena River region of Siberia, from Renchinlkhümbe, Mongolia, and from Kotzebue, Alaska.
References
Trypetheliales
Fungi described in 2009
Fungi of Asia
Fungi of the United States
Fungi of the Arctic
Fungi without expected TNC conservation status
Taxa named by Mikhail Petrovich Zhurbenko
Fungus species | Clypeococcum bisporum | [
"Biology"
] | 549 | [
"Fungi",
"Fungus species"
] |
70,864,229 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burulan | Burulan is a Visayan term referring to fighting platforms on the traditional large trimaran warships (balangay) of the Philippines. They were made from bamboo and were distinctively raised from the deck. They carried the warrior-nobility of the Visayans and other passengers during travel, naval warfare, and seasonal coastal raids (mangayaw), so as to avoid interfering with the paddlers. This platform can be covered by an awning of woven palm leaves (, Spanish: ) during hot days or when it rains, protecting the crew and cargo.
In very large ships, the burulan can be augmented by a pair of fighting platforms mounted directly on the cross-wise supports (batangan) of the outriggers (katig). These were known as . They differed from the daramba, which were also platforms mounted on the outriggers, in that the latter were mounted on the water and were used by commoner warriors (horo-han) primarily for paddling, and occasionally for fighting.
See also
Outrigger boat
Lashed-lug boat
Balangay
Karakoa
Lanong
Bangka (boat)
References
Shipbuilding
Multihulls
Outrigger canoes
Austronesian culture
Indigenous ships of the Philippines | Burulan | [
"Engineering"
] | 257 | [
"Shipbuilding",
"Marine engineering"
] |
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