Low-power multi-chip module and board-level links for data transfer

Advanced device technologies such as Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and diffractive micro lenses can be obtained with novel packaging techniques to allow low-power interconnection of parallel optical signals. These interconnections can be realized directly on circuit boards, in a multi-chip module format, or in packages that emulate electrical connectors. For applications such as stacking of Multi-Chip Module (MCM) layers, the links may be realized in bi-directional form using integrated diffractive microlenses. In the stacked MCM design, consumed electrical power is minimized by use of a relatively high laser output from high efficiency VCSELs, and a receiver design that is optimized for low power, at the expense of dynamic range. Within certain constraints, the design may be extended to other forms such as board-level interconnects

A Seat at the Table: Strategic Engagement in Service Activities for Early-Career Faculty From Underrepresented Groups in the Academy

Many academic institutions strive to promote more diverse and inclusive campuses for faculty, staff, and students. As part of this effort, these institutions seek to include individuals from historically underrepresented groups (URGs)-such as women, people from racial/ethnic minority populations, persons with disabilities-on committees and in other service activities. However, given the low number of faculty members from URGs at many institutions, these faculty members tend to receive more requests to provide service to the institution or department (e.g., serving on committees, mentoring) than their counterparts from majority groups. Faculty members from URGs, especially early-career faculty, thus risk becoming overburdened with providing service at the expense of working on other scholarly activities required for promotion and tenure (i.e., conducting research, publishing). Although many scholars and others have written about this "minority tax" and its implications for early-career faculty from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups, fewer have published about how this tax extends beyond racial/ethnic minorities to women and persons with disabilities. Further, the literature provides scant practical advice on how to avoid overburdening early-career faculty from URGs. Here, a group of multidisciplinary early- and mid-career faculty members from URGs seek to provide their peers from URGs with practical strategies for both evaluating the appropriateness of service requests and declining those that are not a good fit. The authors also provide institutional leaders with actionable recommendations to prevent early-career faculty from URGs from becoming overburdened with service

Independent verification and validation of an industrial simulation model

The independent verification and validation (IV&V) of simulation models is largely restricted to applications in the military and public policy domains. There is little evidence of IV&V for industrial simulation models. This is largely because industrial simulations are normally of a much smaller scale and do not warrant a full IV&V. A procedure for IV&V of industrial simulation models is described that provides a viable alternative where the cost and time of IV&V must be contained. The procedure consists of the following activities: structured walkthrough, review of model assumptions, code examination, review of verification procedures, replications analysis, review of static analysis, review of output reporting, and investigation of results and experimentation. The IV&V of a Sellafield Limited supply chain model is described

Estudio retrospectivo de casos de intoxicación por cobre en ovejas

A retrospective survey was conducted on 112 cases of chronic copper poisoning in sheep diagnosed at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory over a six year period. Animals that died with signs and lesions of a hemolytic crisis had mean (+-SD) liver and kidney copper concentrations of 268.5+-100.4 ppm and 49.9+-36.2 ppm (wet weight), respectively. Kidney values were increased from normal values more consistently than liver values in animals that died with signs of a hemolytic crisis; thus, kidney is considered the tissue of choice when measurement of only one organ is requested. Analysis of 35 feed samples revealed ratios of copper:molybdenum greater than 10:1. This report also addresses recent findings on the pathogenesis and kinetics of chronic copper poisoning and the different treatment protocols recommended.En este trabajo se recopilan los valores de cobre en hígado y riñón de 112 casos de ovejas diagnosticadas con intoxicación crónica por cobre en el Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory de Iowa State University durante un período de 6 años. Los animales que murieron con signos clínicos y lesiones de una crisis hemolítica tenían unas concentraciones medias (+-DE) de cobre en hígado y riñón de 268.5+-100.4 ppm y 49.9+-36.2 ppm (peso húmedo), respectivamente. Los valores en riñón estaban aumentados con respecto a los valores normales del hígado, por lo que el riñón es el tejido de elección cuando el animal se sospecha haber muerto por intoxicación crónica de cobre. El análisis de 35 muestras de alimento procedentes de algunos de los casos diagnosticados revelaron relaciones de cobre:molibdeno superiores a 10:1. Se hace referencia a la patogénia y toxicocinética del cobre, así como al tratamiento recomendado

Supplementary Material for: The Neonatal Microbiome and Its Partial Role in Mediating the Association between Birth by Cesarean Section and Adverse Pediatric Outcomes

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Cesarean sections (CS) are among the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world. Epidemiologic data has associated delivery by CS with an increased risk of certain adverse health outcomes in children, such as asthma and obesity. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To explore what is known about the effect of mode of delivery on the development of the infant microbiome and discuss the potentially mediating role of CS-related microbial dysbiosis in the development of adverse pediatric health outcomes. Recommendations for future inquiry are also provided. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study provides a narrative overview of the literature synthesizing the findings of literature retrieved from searches of PubMed and other computerized databases and authoritative texts. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Emerging evidence suggests that mode of delivery is involved in the development of the neonatal microbiome and may partially explain pediatric health outcomes associated with birth by CS. Specifically, the gut microbiome of vaginally delivered infants more closely resembles their mothers’ vaginal microbiome and thus more commonly consists of potentially beneficial microbiota such as <i>Lactobacillus</i>,<i> Bifidobacterium</i>, and <i>Bacteroides</i>. Conversely, the microbiome of infants born via CS shows an increased prevalence of either skin flora or potentially pathogenic microbial communities such as <i>Klebsiella</i>, <i>Enterococcus</i>, and <i>Clostridium</i>. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Mode of delivery plays an important role in the development of the postnatal microbiome but likely tells only part of the story. More comprehensive investigations into all the pre- and perinatal factors that have the potential to contribute to the neonatal microbiome are warranted