Sinorhizobium meliloti maintains a complex lifestyle, including saprotrophy, rhizophere colonization and root hair infection leading to the formation of root nodules in which the plant provides sustenance in return for nitrogen fixation. S. meliloti cells use a variety of carbon substrates for growth; this omnivory probably contributes to competitive ability in the soil. Several candidates for contribution to the catabolic capacity are found within the family of short chain dehydrogenases /reductases (SDR), which catalyze NAD(P)(H) dependent oxidation / reduction reactions. The 6.7 Mb genome of S. meliloti contains 78 SDR-encoding genes distributed on all three replicons. In this work each of these genes were disrupted by single crossover mutagenesis. These mutants were screened for growth on 93 different compounds as carbon source, and phenotypes were found for 17 of the mutants, providing suggestions for potential substrates of the corresponding enzymes. Carbon sources for which phenotype was observed include sugar alcohols, leucine, lysine, ornithine, galactitol, rhamnose, arabinose, mono-methyl succinate and ribono-γ-lactone. In addition, one of the mutants was found to be a proline auxotroph. In several cases, the phenotypes were consistent with the phenotypes of deletion mutants in which large sections of pSymB were absent. Eight of the mutants exhibited symbiotic deficiency after inoculation of alfalfa, while viable cells of three of the mutants could not be isolated from the nodules even though nitrogen fixation occurred. The results suggest that the corresponding SDR enzymes are involved in a pathway that is required for maintenance of viability by cells throughout infection and nodule development. This work demonstrates that members of the SDR family contribute to both the catabolic capacity and the symbiotic interactions of S. meliloti. Further experiments will address the details of the biochemical pathways involved. Knowledge of the substrate specificities of these enzymes should also prove informative in the description and annotation of orthologs that are identified in other genome sequences.

No description available.

The synthesis and investigation of new types of poly(paraphenyleneethynylene)s, PPEs, is presented. PPEs which are Jacketed are there by shielded from electronic and plararization effects in the solid state. Other PPEs contain pendent groups which may functionalized before or after polymerization to afford two versitle routes to newly functionalized polymeric materials. Based on the PPE structure, metals may be introduced and these polymers may be used as precursors for other types of materials such as ceramics.

Sublimity is a term originally coined by Longinus to deal with an author¡¦s strong influence upon the reader by using his excellent rhetorical techniques to compose a great poem that stirs up the reader¡¦s innermost emotions. Undoubtedly it is a literary concept. But, after Burke released his A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful in 1757 and Kant published his Critique of Judgement in 1790, the sublime lost its original meaning, turning out to be a counterpart of the beautiful. Since then, the sublime fell into a rubric of aesthetics. However, when we study Longinus¡¦s, Burke¡¦s, and Kant¡¦s theories, we are likely to run into the contradictions between them. For instance, Kant insists that ¡§we must not point to the sublime in works of art¡¨ (Critique 100). His words imply that the sublime cannot refer to literature either. If so, then we could not call Milton¡¦s Paradise Lost or Emily Bronte¡¦s Wuthering Heights sublime. On the contrary, if literature can be included in the sublime, then Kant¡¦s ¡§disinterested delight¡¨ in the judgment of taste will fail to make a good case for itself. It is the conflicts between theories that cause my research interest. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to discuss the meanings of the sublime, and try to solve the two problems: ¡§whether literature can be included in the sublime¡¨ and ¡§whether the sublime contains morality.¡¨ This thesis contains four chapters. Chapter I is ¡§Introduction,¡¨ which briefly states the basic concepts of the sublime and the questions of research. Chapter II is ¡§The Theoretical Foundation of the Sublime,¡¨ which discusses several important theories of the sublime, and attempts to solve the conflicts between different theories. Chapter III is ¡§The Romantic Sublime,¡¨ which discusses respectively Wordsworth¡¦s aesthetics and Weiskel¡¦s psychoanalysis of the sublime. And, Chapter IV is conclusion. In this thesis, we can see the evolution of the sublime and Wordsworth¡¦s endeavors to integrate these theories.

In this thesis, the fabrication and performance of the 2.5Gb/s optical transceiver modules applied in optical communication network are discussed. The optical transceiver modules consist of transmitter and receiver. The transmitters are composed by laser driver IC and 1310 FP (Fabry-Perot) laser, where the receivers are composed by limiting amplifier IC and 1310nm ROSA (Receiver Optical Sub-Assembly). In the design of modules, not only components but also the PCB layout affects the performance heavily. In signal transmission, we must use proper termination scheme to eliminate the signal reflection. Besides we must also consider the EMI and crosstalk problems, so the design will be perfect. An optical transceiver module is operated at signal pattern of 27-1 and data rate of 2.5Gb/s. In transceiver, the result of measurement, Peak-Peak Jitter is 29ps. In receiver, back to back, the Peak-Peak Jitter is 29ps. In addition, the measuring result connecting with 2km fiber of Peak-Peak Jitter is 30ps. The result of eye diagram measurement can meet the mask of ITU-T standard. In the condition of bit error rate of 10-12 , the sensitivity of receiver is -15.4dBm.

We fabricate and measure 10Gb/s optical transceiver module for used in optical communication network. The 10Gb/s optical transceiver module consists of a laser, a laser driver IC, a PIN-TIA, a limiting amplifier and a high-frequency print circuit board (PCB) layout design. In the design of modules, the distortion, reflection, the effect of lumped elements and SMA connector are considered. The layout of printed circuit board must be match to the impedance of transmission line. The electromagnetic interference (ISI) issue is also considered in order to achieve the best design of the module. The optical transceiver module is tested at signal pattern of 231-1 and data rate of 10Gb/s. The peak-peak jitter is measured 27ps in transmitter. In receiver, the peak-peak jitter is measured 24ps at back to back. For 10km fiber, the peak-peak jitter is measured 29ps. In the condition of bit error rate (BER) of 10-12, the sensitivity of receiver can reach to -13.5dBm. The result of eye diagram measurement can meet the mask of STM-64/OC-192 standard.

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This study explores the problems which confronted the Credit Department of the Farmer¡¦s Association, such as uncertainty regarding administrative goals and political scandals after the Democratic Progressive Party (DDP) had planned for the Association to be taken over by banks in 2000. The Farmer¡¦s Association is the best organized association that is close to the people. With more members than all of the other associations, it also plays an important role in a wide range of areas, such as: the economy, society, education, and politics. In earlier times, it was the only association that provided financial services for the common people. Due to the capital resources and the support of people, it has long been a target for the local factions. After retreating to Taiwan, the Kuomintang endeavored to stabilize the economy of the rural areas and fulfill public policies by carrying out the national economic goals. With this policy in mind, the Farmer¡¦s Association actively allied with the local factions to become a monopolistic enterprise on a scale similar to that of state-owned enterprises. The Association and the Government thus behaved according to the patron-client relationship and the Association acts for the Government in implementing agricultural policies in local areas. The political parties and social elites all endeavor to lead the Association, in the hope that it can serve as the basis for political mobilization. Therefore, the Association deviates from its own administrative purpose and becomes entangled in the power struggles of the local factions. These factors, plus the Asian economic storm led to bank runs. As the DDP took over the reins of government, it decided to settle such problems in order to stabilize the financial market, or based on some political concerns, by taking over similar associations and planning to completely stop the operation of the Credit Department. The Association in Dashu Township is taken as an example, to explore the impacts and influences of the Farmer¡¦s Association without the Credit Department on the local factions that have long relied on the resources of Credit Department. The analysis will be based on four perspectives: 1. Change of mobilization capability 2. Change of the power of Association director-generals 3. Change of the Association¡¦s control of local financial resources 4. The change of local factions¡¦ power The taking-over of the Association aroused drastic opposition. The Government therefore resorted to amending the laws concerning the Farmer¡¦s Association in order to revive it. But in 2008, the Kuomintang, after taking on the reins of government, amended the law to cancel the limitation concerning the office term of director- generals. With no limitations placed on civil servants serving as the staff of the Association it became difficult for the Association to rid itself of the power of local factions.

Th. doct.--Théologie--Rome--Université pontificale grégorienne, 2003. / Bibliogr. des oeuvres de B. S. Childs p. 439-442. Bibliogr. p. 439-463. Index.

Thesis (M.A.)--Denver Seminary, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-78).