Effect of Evaluating a Recitals Course

This article was published in the Fall 2009 issue of the Journal of Undergraduate Researc

Neptune-Benson Perlite Media Loader

Neptune-Benson has presented the Gods of Perlite with the task of designing a device that can automate the process of transferring the filtration medium, perlite, into their Defender filtration system models. In some European countries, perlite is viewed as a hazardous material. The design will minimize the amount of human contact, allowing Neptune-Benson to investigate expanding their market into those regions. This device operates as a vacuum pneumatic conveying system that will be responsible for ensuring at least one full filter change-out of at least 45 pounds of perlite. Through the preliminary stages of the design process, communication with the sponsor was vital in determining what they valued in each of the design concepts. Using a Quality Function Deployment chart the team was able to see that a small product footprint and a fully automated design were highly important and demanded qualities that must be incorporated into the final design. Many methods of engineering analysis took place during the engineering process to determine the feasibility and contents of the design specifications that led to the successful final prototype. The team\u27s first design is a combination of various team concepts that maximizes the capabilities of multiple demanded qualities of the sponsor along with easing the process for anyone operating a filter change-out on any Defender system. The spiked rail\u27s needles penetrate through the bag allowing suction to pull the perlite through a vacuum and into the Defender. Through testing it was observed that this method would not successfully perform a change-out without introducing an additional force to account for the material properties of the perlite. As a result, e orts were put forth into designing, building and testing a redesign with a hopper and a mechanical auger. Just like the spiked rail, this apparatus can attach to the existing ex hose nozzle of the transfer vacuum that is supplied with each of Neptune-Benson\u27s units. The testing of our re-design prototype was very successful and proved that the concept is feasible by transferring the perlite out of one bag at a rate of approximately 2.16 ft3/min. The perlite hopper system is on pace to cut the current time for a change-out in half. This system has room for continued optimization to the point at which it can appeal to consumers as an attachment to their Defender units

Genetic architecture of wood properties based on association analysis and co-expression networks in white spruce

Association studies are widely utilized to analyze complex traits but their ability to disclose genetic architectures is often limited by statistical constraints, and functional insights are usually minimal in nonmodel organisms like forest trees. We developed an approach to integrate association mapping results with co-expression networks. We tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 2652 candidate genes for statistical associations with wood density, stiffness, microfibril angle and ring width in a population of 1694 white spruce trees (Picea glauca). Associations mapping identified 229-292 genes per wood trait using a statistical significance level of P < 0.05 to maximize discovery. Over-representation of genes associated for nearly all traits was found in a xylem preferential co-expression group developed in independent experiments. A xylem co-expression network was reconstructed with 180 wood associated genes and several known MYB and NAC regulators were identified as network hubs. The network revealed a link between the gene PgNAC8, wood stiffness and microfibril angle, as well as considerable within-season variation for both genetic control of wood traits and gene expression. Trait associations were distributed throughout the network suggesting complex interactions and pleiotropic effects. Our findings indicate that integration of association mapping and co-expression networks enhances our understanding of complex wood traits

A machine learning route between band mapping and band structure

The electronic band structure (BS) of solid state materials imprints the multidimensional and multi-valued functional relations between energy and momenta of periodically confined electrons. Photoemission spectroscopy is a powerful tool for its comprehensive characterization. A common task in photoemission band mapping is to recover the underlying quasiparticle dispersion, which we call band structure reconstruction. Traditional methods often focus on specific regions of interests yet require extensive human oversight. To cope with the growing size and scale of photoemission data, we develop a generic machine-learning approach leveraging the information within electronic structure calculations for this task. We demonstrate its capability by reconstructing all fourteen valence bands of tungsten diselenide and validate the accuracy on various synthetic data. The reconstruction uncovers previously inaccessible momentum-space structural information on both global and local scales in conjunction with theory, while realizing a path towards integrating band mapping data into materials science databases

Bridging the Experience-Complexity Gap with the Clinical Education Coordinator Role

https://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/nurs_presentations2023/1002/thumbnail.jp

Bridging the Experience-Complexity Gap with the Clinical Education Coordinator Role

Holistic and Nursing Scholarship Symposium Event Postershttps://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/nurs_presentations/1004/thumbnail.jp

Multi-trait selection for improved solid wood physical and flexural properties in white spruce

Commercial production of high-quality lumber for Nordic conifers is negatively impacted by long rotation age and adverse negative correlations between growth and wood quality traits. A prospective solution to ensure sufficient fibre quality from future plantations is to identify key wood traits for desired applications and to consider them in tree breeding programs. In this study, we used the widespread and largely reforested white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) in Canada to investigate the genetic control of wood flexural properties such as stiffness, i.e. modulus of elasticity (MOE), and strength, i.e. modulus of rupture (MOR). We also looked at their phenotypic and genetic correlations with other wood quality and growth traits to assess the efficiency of indirect methods of selection to improve wood flexural properties in the context of multi-trait selection in tree breeding programs. To achieve this, standardized solid wood samples, growth records and standing tree wood quality traits were collected from 289 trees belonging to 38 white spruce families from a polycross genetic trial established on two different sites in the province of Quebec, Canada. Flexural stiffness and strength, height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and wood density showed moderate to high heritability. Flexural stiffness was also positively correlated at the genetic level with flexural strength, average wood density and acoustic velocity as an indirect measure of dynamic MOE (⁠rG  = 0.99, rG  = 0.78 and rG = 0.78, respectively). When selecting the top 5 per cent of the trees, the expected genetic gains varied from 3.6 per cent for acoustic velocity to 16.5 per cent for MOE. Selection based on wood density and acoustic velocity would result in considerable genetic gains in flexural stiffness. Several multi-trait selection scenarios were tested to investigate the genetic gains obtained from selecting with different combinations of growth and wood quality traits. The results showed that indirect selection for wood flexural properties by means of acoustic velocity and wood density are efficient methods that can be combined in operational white spruce breeding programs to increase simultaneously genetic gains for growth and wood flexural properties

Phosphodiesterase Type 4D Gene Polymorphism: Association with the Response to Short-Acting Bronchodilators in Paediatric Asthma Patients

Short-acting b2-adrenergic receptor agonists are commonly used bronchodilators for symptom relief in asthmatics. The aim of this study was to test whether genetic variants in PDE4D gene, a key regulator of b2-adrenoceptor-induced cAMP turnover in airway smooth muscle cells, affect the response to short-acting b2-agonists. Bronchodilator responsiveness was assessed in 133 asthmatic children by % change in baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after administration of albuterol. The analyses were performed in patients with airway obstruction (FEV1/FVC ratio below 90%, n = 93). FEV1  % change adjusted for baseline FEV1 values was significantly different between genotypes of rs1544791 G/A polymorphism (P = 0.006) and −1345 C/T (rs1504982) promoter variation (P = 0.03). The association remained significant with inclusion of age, sex, atopy, and controller medication into multivariate model (P = 0.004 and P = 0.02, resp.). Our work identifies new genetic variants implicated in modulation of asthma treatment, one of them (rs1544791) previously associated with asthma phenotype

Démarche d'estimation des incertitudes en PIV basée sur la méthode GUM

International audienceLe travail présenté ici propose une procédure d’estimation des incertitudes pour des mesures type PIV basée sur la méthode GUM (Guide to the expression of Uncertainly in Measurement). La démarche proposée par le GUM normalise la façon de propager les incertitudes lorsque l’on dispose d’un modèle mathématique reliant la grandeur mesurée aux variables permettant sa détermination et qui représentent les sources d’incertitudes. Pour la détermination des incertitudes, relativement peu d’articles traitent du processus de mesure et suivent une procédure établie. La source d’erreur la plus étudiée, est celle provenant des algorithmes. Dans cette étude, une procédure détaillée d’estimation des incertitudes est présentée. Cette procédure est appliquée à des deux configurations de mesure 2D afin d’obtenir des cartes d’incertitude sur les champs de vitesse instantanés