The redesign of a polariscope

The polariscope belonging to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Lehigh University had limited usefulness due to its particular design. In this thesis the redesign of the existing polariscope is presented

Leveraging Data to Build an Effective Quality Assurance Program

Leveraging Data to Build an Effective Quality Assurance Program Authors Ms. DEANNA AUNGST - United States - Environmental Standards Ms. Danielle Coles - United States - Environmental Standards Abstract Beyond the standard field measurements and analytical results typically stored in a database or spreadsheet, capturing the data around the delivery, quality, timeliness, and status of that data can enable managers to understand the successes or stumbling points of their programs. Tracking the metadata of each deliverable, as well as each task associated with them, provides a non-biased assessment of how your program is working. Having this information available also allows program managers to identify costly errors or deficiencies, as well as to recognize the success stories of increased program efficiency over time. This presentation will demonstrate successful metadata tracking and provide examples of leveraging performance data to identify deficiencies in laboratory inefficiencies, categorize common field data collection issues, and improve quality assessment and reporting timelines. To demonstrate, we will provide a detailed summary of how detailed tracking was used to increase laboratory deliverable timeliness and quality

Olfactory receptor accessory proteins play crucial roles in receptor function and gene choice

Each of the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) chooses to express a single G protein-coupled olfactory receptor (OR) from a pool of hundreds. Here, we show the receptor transporting protein (RTP) family members play a dual role in both normal OR trafficking and determining OR gene choice probabilities. Rtp1 and Rtp2 double knockout mice (RTP1,2DKO) show OR trafficking defects and decreased OSN activation. Surprisingly, we discovered a small subset of the ORs are expressed in larger numbers of OSNs despite the presence of fewer total OSNs in RTP1,2DKO. Unlike typical ORs, some overrepresented ORs show robust cell surface expression in heterologous cells without the co-expression of RTPs. We present a model in which developing OSNs exhibit unstable OR expression until they choose to express an OR that exits the ER or undergo cell death. Our study sheds light on the new link between OR protein trafficking and OR transcriptional regulation.R01 DC012095 - NIDCD NIH HHS; R01 DC014423 - NIDCD NIH HH

Dendrodendritic synapses in the mouse olfactory bulb external plexiform layer

Odor information relayed by olfactory bulb projection neurons, mitral and tufted cells (M/T), is modulated by pairs of reciprocal dendrodendritic synaptic circuits in the external plexiform layer (EPL). Interneurons, which are accounted for largely by granule cells, receive depolarizing input from M/T dendrites and in turn inhibit current spread in M/T dendrites via hyperpolarizing reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses. Because the location of dendrodendritic synapses may significantly affect the cascade of odor information, we assessed synaptic properties and density within sublaminae of the EPL and along the length of M/T secondary dendrites. In electron micrographs the M/T to granule cell synapse appeared to predominate and was equivalent in both the outer and inner EPL. However, the dendrodendritic synapses from granule cell spines onto M/T dendrites were more prevalent in the outer EPL. In contrast, individual gephyrin-immunoreactive (IR) puncta, a postsynaptic scaffolding protein at inhibitory synapses used here as a proxy for the granule to M/T dendritic synapse was equally distributed throughout the EPL. Of significance to the organization of intrabulbar circuits, gephyrin-IR synapses are not uniformly distributed along M/T secondary dendrites. Synaptic density, expressed as a function of surface area, increases distal to the cell body. Furthermore, the distributions of gephyrin-IR puncta are heterogeneous and appear as clusters along the length of the M/T dendrites. Consistent with computational models, our data suggest that temporal coding in M/T cells is achieved by precisely located inhibitory input and that distance from the soma is compensated for by an increase in synaptic density.Fil: Bartel, Dianna L.. University Of Yale. School Of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Rela, Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Hsieh, Lawrence. University Of Yale. School Of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Greer, Charles A. . University Of Yale. School Of Medicine; Estados Unido

Sense variability and typology of cultures

The article is concerned with the problem of justification of cultural (civilizational) typological diversity, which is being analyzed in the framework of variant types and meaning-making methods. Authors attempt to prove the leading role of these methods in shaping cultures’ idiosyncrasies, as well as a specific course of their evolution, and sustainability as culture-transforming programs. In the article, the criteria of distinguishing historical culture types set in the XIX-XX centuries by the most influential civilizational concepts are analyzed, and a new criterion is proposed. This is the criterion of the meaning-making method which is considered the most applicable to describe the core of any culture as an integrity of both experimental and textual ways of human existence re-examination. A number of culture (civilization) types were used as examples; the article observes how the key meaning-making model sculpts the civilization as a unique entity and defines it

Parent perceptions of person-centered care: A randomized controlled trial of the Childhood Hearing Loss Question Prompt List for Parents

Objective: When children are identified with hearing loss, parents are often unsure about what they need to know. A Childhood Hearing Loss Question Prompt List for Parents (CHLQPL) was recently developed to help parents and providers address questions. This exploratory study investigated if parents who used the CHLQPL in their audiology appointment perceived their appointment as more person-centered than parents who received treatment as usual. Parent perceptions regarding use of the CHLQPL during the audiology appointment was also sought. Design: Randomized control trial. Study sample: Parents of children with permanent hearing loss (N=50). Results: There were no statistically significant differences found between the intervention and control groups in parent perception of person-centeredness. Parents who used the CHLQPL found it useful and would recommend it’s use to others. Conclusions: Further research is needed to explore other factors and benefits of including the CHLQPL in supporting parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Audiologists can incorporate the CHLQPL to facilitate communication on topics of importance to parents and to facilitate parent engagement in a shared process

Virtual Learning: The Emerging of a New University.

La mayoría de los sistemas de aprendizaje virtual se limitan a funcionar como medios de entrega de información. Este enfoque es limitado porque invita a sustituir la lectura y memorización desde el libro por la lectura y memorización desde la pantalla. Algunos sistemas implican esquemas de presentación más elaborados que incluyen algún nivel de retroalimentación y mecanismos de interacción. Sin embargo, casi todos carecen de la intención y la capacidad para proponer aprendizajes pseudo-experienciales como los que proveen la simulación y los juegos. Este artículo expone brevemente tales carencias y asoma algunas ideas de cómo llegar a un modelo holístico de campus virtual