1,494 research outputs found
Design and synthesis of novel inhibitors of the p53-Mdm2 interaction and the development of novel inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases
Large-Scale Transit Signal Priority Implementation
In 2016, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) deployed Transit Signal Priority (TSP) at 195 intersections in highly urbanized areas of Washington, DC. In collaboration with a broader regional implementation, and in partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), DDOT set out to apply a systems engineering–driven process to identify, design, test, and accept a large-scale TSP system. This presentation will highlight project successes and lessons learned
Using the Big Ideas in Cosmology to Teach College Students
Recent advances in our understanding of the Universe have revolutionized our
view of its structure, composition and evolution. However, these new ideas have
not necessarily been used to improve the teaching of introductory astronomy
students. In this project, we have conducted research into student
understanding of cosmological ideas so as to develop effective web-based tools
to teach basic concepts important to modern cosmology. The tools are intended
for use at the introductory college level. Our research uses several
instruments, including open-ended and multiple choice surveys conducted at
multiple institutions, as well as interviews and course artifacts at one
institution, to ascertain what students know regarding modern cosmological
ideas, what common misunderstandings and misconceptions they entertain, and
what sorts of materials can most effectively overcome student difficulties in
learning this material. These data are being used to create a suite of
interactive, web-based tutorials that address the major ideas in cosmology
using real data. Having students engage with real data is a powerful means to
help students overcome certain misconceptions. Students master the scientific
concepts and reasoning processes that lead to our current understanding of the
universe through interactive tasks, prediction and reflection, experimentation,
and model building.Comment: 2012 Fermi Symposium proceedings - eConf C12102
Using GPS telemetry to validate least-cost modeling of gray squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis) movement within a fragmented landscape
In Britain, the population of native red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris has suffered population declines and local extinctions. Interspecific resource competition and disease spread by the invasive gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis are the main factors behind the decline. Gray squirrels have adapted to the British landscape so efficiently that they are widely distributed. Knowledge on how gray squirrels are using the landscape matrix and being able to predict their movements will aid management. This study is the first to use global positioning system (GPS) collars on wild gray squirrels to accurately record movements and land cover use within the landscape matrix. This data were used to validate Geographical Information System (GIS) least-cost model predictions of movements and provided much needed information on gray squirrel movement pathways and network use. Buffered least-cost paths and least-cost corridors provide predictions of the most probable movements through the landscape and are seen to perform better than the more expansive least-cost networks which include all possible movements. Applying the knowledge and methodologies gained to current gray squirrel expansion areas, such as Scotland and in Italy, will aid in the prediction of potential movement areas and therefore management of the invasive gray squirrel. The methodologies presented in this study could potentially be used in any landscape and on numerous species
Vulnerabilities in first-generation RFID-enabled credit cards
Credit cards ; Radio frequency identification systems
Potential Applications of Silk Fibroin as a Biomaterial
Fibroin is a biopolymer obtained from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori silkworm that offers many unique advantages. In this thesis work, fibroin was processed into a regenerated film and examined for potential biomaterial applications.
The adsorption of bovine serum albumin onto the fibroin film was investigated to examine the biocompatibility of the film, and it was found that BSA adsorption capacity increased with an increase in BSA concentration. At 10 mg/mL of BSA, the BSA sorption reached 0.045 mg/cm2. This level of BSA is indicative of good blood compatibility and biocompatibility of the fibroin.
The gas permeabilities of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide were tested for potential applications in contact lenses and wound dressings. Over a pressure range of 70 – 350 psig, the permeability of oxygen and nitrogen was 5 Barrer, while that of carbon dioxide ranged from 26 to 37 Barrer. The oxygen transmissibility of the fibroin films prepared in this study was on the low end required for use in daily wear contact lenses, but sufficient to aid the healing process for use in wound dressings.
The permeability and diffusivity of four model drugs in the fibroin film was investigated for potential applications in controlled drug release. The permeability at higher source concentrations leveled out to 0.8 – 4.3 x 10-7 cm2/s depending on the drug tested. The diffusion coefficient determined from sorption experiments was approximately 1.8 x 10-9 cm2/s, while the diffusion coefficients from desorption experiments were determined to be 0.8 – 2.7 x 10-9 cm2/s. The magnitude of the drug permeability and diffusivity are consistent with many other controlled release materials, and the fibroin film showed good potential for use in controlled release
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