Genetic Relatedness and Chemical Profiles in an Unusually Peaceful Eusocial Bee

Colonies of the stingless bee Tetragonilla collina frequently occur in unusually high densities and in direct neighborhood (nest aggregations), in rainforests of Southeast Asia. To investigate whether close relatedness and/or similar chemical profiles facilitate the co-occurrence of multiple T. collina colonies, we investigated aggressive behavior, genetic relatedness and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles within and between colonies and nest aggregations. Although 17 out of 19 colonies within aggregations were largely unrelated, intraspecific aggression between different colonies was basically absent both within and among aggregations. This lack of aggression should favor social parasitism and hence the occurrence of unrelated individuals within a colony. However, low within-colony relatedness was found in only five out of 19 colonies where it may be explained by queen turnover or the occurrence of foreign workers. CHC profiles of colonies within and among aggregations were statistically different. However, many workers could chemically not be assigned to their maternal colony, indicating considerable overlap among colonies in odor profiles of workers. Moreover, odor profiles tended to be more similar within than among aggregations, although most colonies were unrelated. Thus, CHC profiles were a poor indicator of relatedness in T. collina. The lack of correlation between relatedness and chemical similarity in T. collina may be explained by the incorporation of resin-derived terpenes in their CHC profiles. The composition of these terpenes was highly similar among colonies, particularly within aggregations, hence potentially decreasing chemical distinctiveness and increasing behavioral tolerance.     

Model-based scale-up of vacuum contact drying of pharmaceutical compounds

An integrated methodology for the scale-up of vacuum contact drying with intermittent agitation is described in this work. The methodology combines a mathematical model of vacuum contact drying, based on differential transient heat and energy balances, and a small-scale experimental apparatus for model validation and parameter estimation. The validated model was used for the estimation of drying times of six different pharmaceutical compounds at the pilot and manufacturing scale over a range of drying conditions – pressure 15–200 mbar, temperature 45–70 °C, solvents: acetone, water, methanol, n-propanol, and isopropyl acetate. The mean difference between predicted and actual drying times for the six compounds was less than 9%, which is considered a significant improvement over current semi-empirical approaches to vacuum contact drying scale-up.     

Electro‐Drawn Drug‐Loaded Biodegradable Polymer Microneedles as a Viable Route to Hypodermic Injection

Hypodermic needle injection is still the most common method of drug delivery despite its numerous limitations and drawbacks, such as pain, one‐shot administration, and risk of infection. Seeking a viable, safe, and pain‐free alternative to the over 16 billion injections per year has therefore become a top priority for our modern technological society. Here, a system that uses a pyroelectric cartridge in lieu of the syringe piston as a potential solution is discussed. Upon stimulation, the cartridge electro‐draws, at room temperature, an array of drug‐encapsulated, biodegradable polymer microneedles, able to deliver into hypodermic tissue both hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive agents, according to a predefined chrono‐programme. This mould‐free and contact‐free method permits the fabrication of biodegradable polymer microneedles into a ready‐to‐use configuration. In fact, they are formed on a flexible substrate/holder by drawing them directly from drop reservoirs, using a controlled electro‐hydrodynamic force. Tests of insertion are performed and discussed in order to demonstrate the possibility to prepare microneedles with suitable geometric and mechanical properties using this method.     

Accelerator boards, memory, power, coprocessor, and price in an automated audit trail and networked matching algorithm of needs

Matching the user's needs to the available supply of Accelerator Boards can be methodically time-consuming and difficult. If it is not done it may be short of satisfactory. This paper presents a method of matching user needs with the available variety of Accelerator Boards (AS). It describes a method of developing and using a Product Evaluation and Selection System (PESS). PESS ranks AS products according to how well they match user's needs.     

学习波哥大公交系统的经验

几十年来，波哥大因其无秩序的交通、空气污染、缓慢而混乱的公共交通运输而闻名于世。从2001年1月开始，波哥大的交通管理系统找到了一个解决日常交通堵塞的先进方法，具有当今最新的技术水平。作为城市交通机动性的综合战略规划的一部分，其中包括促进非机动化交通和限制汽车的使用，波哥大城市发展了一套“新世纪快速公交（TransMilenio）”系统。它是依靠许多当地机构和私营公司以合作经营的方式建立起来的。     

A prisoner's dilemma experiment on cooperation with people and human-like computers.

The authors investigated basic properties of social exchange and interaction with technology in an experiment on cooperation with a human-like computer partner or a real human partner. Talking with a computer partner may trigger social identity feelings or commitment norms. Participants played a prisoner's dilemma game with a confederate or a computer partner. Discussion, inducements to make promises, and partner cooperation varied across trials. On Trial 1, after discussion, most participants proposed cooperation. They kept their promises as much with a text-only computer as with a person, but less with a more human-like computer. Cooperation dropped sharply when any partner avoided discussion. The strong impact of discussion fits a social contract explanation of cooperation following discussion. Participants broke their promises to a computer more than to a person, however, indicating that people make heterogeneous commitments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computer communication as an aid to independence for older adults

Computer and communication technologies offer the potential of improving die quality of life for older people by providing them with links to information and services outside of the home. This study examined die feasibility of older people using an electronic text message system to perform routine communication tasks. In addition information was gathered to identify design parameters which facilitate the interactions of older people with such computer based systems. A specialized and simplified 'communication computer' was placed in the homes of 36 older women, aged 50-95 years. The system was provided with: a simple text-editor, basic electronic mail functions and access to news/ weather, movie reviews, and health information. Both performance data and user preference data were collected. Results indicated that the participants liked using the system, were able to use it with minimal difficulty, and that it provided a valuable means for social interaction and mental stimulation. The findings suggest that computer-based systems can be a valuable support tool for older adults if they are easy to use, and provide applications that are useful for them.