Washington State University

About: Washington State University is a education organization based out in Pullman, Washington, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 26947 authors who have published 57736 publications receiving 2341509 citations. The organization is also known as: WSU & Wazzu.

Single-Atom Electrocatalysts

Abstract: Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the production of sustainable and renewable energy However, the electrochemical performances of the various systems are limited, and there is an intensive search for highly efficient electrocatalysts by more rational control over the size, shape, composition, and structure Of particular interest are the studies on single-atom catalysts (SACs), which have sparked new interests in electrocatalysis because of their high catalytic activity, stability, selectivity, and 100 % atom utilization In this Review, we introduce innovative syntheses and characterization techniques for SACs, with a focus on their electrochemical applications in the oxygen reduction/evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and hydrocarbon conversion reactions for fuel cells (electrooxidation of methanol, ethanol, and formic acid) The electrocatalytic performance is further considered at an atomic level and the underlying mechanisms are discussed The ultimate goal is the tailoring of single atoms for electrochemical applications

Biological invasions: recommendations for U.S. policy and management.

Abstract: The Ecological Society of America has evaluated current U.S. national policies and practices on biological invasions in light of current scientific knowledge. Invasions by harmful nonnative species are increasing in number and area affected; the damages to ecosystems, economic activity, and human welfare are accumulating. Without improved strategies based on recent scientific advances and increased investments to counter invasions, harm from invasive species is likely to accelerate. Federal leadership, with the cooperation of state and local governments, is required to increase the effectiveness of prevention of invasions, detect and respond quickly to new potentially harmful invasions, control and slow the spread of existing invasions, and provide a national center to ensure that these efforts are coordinated and cost effective. Specifically, the Ecological Society of America recommends that the federal government take the following six actions: (1) Use new information and practices to better manage commercial and other pathways to reduce the transport and release of potentially harmful species; (2) Adopt more quantitative procedures for risk analysis and apply them to every species proposed for importation into the country; (3) Use new cost-effective diagnostic technologies to increase active surveillance and sharing of information about invasive species so that responses to new invasions can be more rapid and effective; (4) Create new legal authority and provide emergency funding to support rapid responses to emerging invasions; (5) Provide funding and incentives for cost-effective programs to slow the spread of existing invasive species in order to protect still uninvaded ecosystems, social and industrial infrastructure, and human welfare; and (6) Establish a National Center for Invasive Species Management (under the existing National Invasive Species Council) to coordinate and lead improvements in federal, state, and international policies on invasive species. Recent scientific and technical advances provide a sound basis for more cost-effective national responses to invasive species. Greater investments in improved technology and management practices would be more than repaid by reduced damages from current and future invasive species. The Ecological Society of America is committed to assist all levels of government and provide scientific advice to improve all aspects of invasive-species management.

Hydrogen Peroxide Acts as a Second Messenger for the Induction of Defense Genes in Tomato Plants in Response to Wounding, Systemin, and Methyl Jasmonate

Abstract: The systemic accumulation of both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and proteinase inhibitor proteins in tomato leaves in response to wounding was inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitors diphenylene iodonium (DPI), imidazole, and pyridine. The expression of several defense genes in response to wounding, systemin, oligosaccharides, and methyl jasmonate also was inhibited by DPI. These genes, including those of four proteinase inhibitors and polyphenol oxidase, are expressed within 4 to 12 hr after wounding. However, DPI did not inhibit the wound-inducible expression of genes encoding prosystemin, lipoxygenase, and allene oxide synthase, which are associated with the octadecanoid signaling pathway and are expressed 0.5 to 2 hr after wounding. Accordingly, treatment of plants with the H2O2-generating enzyme glucose oxidase plus glucose resulted in the induction of only the later-expressed defensive genes and not the early-expressed signaling-related genes. H2O2 was cytochemically detected in the cell walls of vascular parenchyma cells and spongy mesophyll cells within 4 hr after wounding of wild-type tomato leaves, but not earlier. The cumulative results suggest that active oxygen species are generated near cell walls of vascular bundle cells by oligogalacturonide fragments produced by wound-inducible polygalacturonase and that the resulting H2O2 acts as a second messenger for the activation of defense genes in mesophyll cells. These data provide a rationale for the sequential, coordinated, and functional roles of systemin, jasmonic acid, oligogalacturonides, and H2O2 signals for systemic signaling in tomato plants in response to wounding.

An experimental comparison of range image segmentation algorithms

Abstract: A methodology for evaluating range image segmentation algorithms is proposed. This methodology involves (1) a common set of 40 laser range finder images and 40 structured light scanner images that have manually specified ground truth and (2) a set of defined performance metrics for instances of correctly segmented, missed, and noise regions, over- and under-segmentation, and accuracy of the recovered geometry. A tool is used to objectively compare a machine generated segmentation against the specified ground truth. Four research groups have contributed to evaluate their own algorithm for segmenting a range image into planar patches.