Clemson University

About: Clemson University is a education organization based out in Clemson, South Carolina, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Control theory. The organization has 20556 authors who have published 42518 publications receiving 1170779 citations. The organization is also known as: Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina.

Poly(Vinyl Pyridine) as a Universal Surface Modifier for Immobilization of Nanoparticles

Abstract: Metal, metal oxide, and plastic surfaces were modified with poly(vinylpyridine) using adsorption, spin-coating, and dip-coating techniques and various metal, semiconductor, and dielectric nanoparticles were subsequently attached. Prior to the modification, the substrates were treated with glow discharge plasma for cleaning purposes and to introduce surface functional groups that are capable of interaction with the polymer. UV−vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force, and electron scanning microscopies were used to characterize polymer layers and layers of immobilized nanoparticles. The surface modification with poly(vinylpyridine) via adsorption technique is suggested as a simple, effective, and highly versatile method for the preparation of single, mixed, and multilayered assemblies of various nanoparticles on different substrates.

Integrated Engineering Curricula

Abstract: Increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary research and education requires researchers and learners to build links between distinct disciplines. In engineering education, work on integrated curricula to help learners build connections between topics began with three programs in 1988. Integrated curricula have connections to a larger movement in higher education—learning communities, which help learners to build interdisciplinary links and social links within a community. Integrated engineering curricula have provided concrete assessment data on retention and student performance to augment research on learning communities. While innovators in both movements have offered many prototypes and gathered many data, goals and results from programs implemented to date are not sufficiently well defined to guide the design and implementation of programs at other institutions. This paper discusses the importance of integration, reviews accomplishments to date, draws conclusions by analyzing those accomplishments, and suggests future initiatives.

Social Organization of the Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

Abstract: In microtine rodents, formation of communal groups often is associated with environmental stresses of winter or high population density. Social organization of the prairie vole ( Microtus ochrogaster ) consisted of communal groups formed by addition of philopatric young and unrelated adults to an original male-female pair or single-female breeding unit. Owing to high juvenile mortality during spring-early autumn, most social groups remained as male-female pairs or single females. Male-female pairs displayed behavioral traits associated with monogamy, including sharing a common nest and home range, mate guarding, dissolution of pairs by mortality, and low incidence of remating. Male-female pairs rarely involved related animals. Single-female breeding units were survivors of male-female pairs that had not formed a new pair; prevalence of single-female breeding units was not related to availability of unpaired males. When juvenile survival increased in late autumn, communal groups became the predominant social group. Formation of communal groups was unrelated to low temperatures and was not contingent upon the nonreproductive status of members. Although present at low population density, communal groups were the most common type of social group at high densities. We conclude that increased survival of juveniles in late autumn leads to the formation of communal groups and increases in population density.