Organic matter determination of components of high organic matter-sand-soil mixes

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the optimum temperature and time period for use with the loss-on- ignition method of organic matter determination, and (2) to compare the effectiveness of the loss-on-ignition method with the Walkley-Black and hydrogen peroxide methods on components of high organic matter-sand-soil mixes. Three sands and eight organic materials were heated for different time periods at different temperatures. In most cases the organic fraction of these materials were destroyed effectivelyat400\u27Cfor6hours. Ignition at higher temperatures or for longer time periods appeared to introduce error resulting from weight loss from unidentified fractions. Comparison of the three techniques showed that both loss-on-ignition and the Walkley-Black method have consistent results and both were deemed suitable for the high organic matter-sand rootzone mixes used in the turfgrass industry. Loss-on-ignition is the preferred method, however, due to the need of a correction factor to allow for the consistently low values measured by the Walkley-Black method. Hydrogen peroxide values were quite inconsistent and the method was deemed unacceptable for the materials studied

APPLICATIONS OF ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POLYMERS TO INHIBIT INJURY AND DISEASE

There is an undeniable link between oxidative stress, inflammation, and disease. Currently, approaches using antioxidant therapies have been largely unsuccessful due to poor delivery and bioavailability. Responding to these limitations, we have developed classes of polymer and delivery systems that can overcome the challenges of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapy. In our initial studies, nanoparticles of poly(trolox), a polymeric form of trolox, were surface-modified with antibodies. This modification allows for specific targeting to endothelial cells, affording controllable and localized protection against oxidative stress. We have shown these targeted nanoparticles bind, internalize, and provide protection against oxidative stress generation and cytotoxicity from iron oxide nanoparticles. In a similar fashion, we have tested the ability of poly(trolox) to prevent rheumatoid arthritis in vivo. Poly(trolox) nanoparticles were encapsulated in a PEGylated polymer to enhance circulation and biocompatibility. These particles were shown to accumulate in inflamed joint tissue, recover natural antioxidant function, suppress protein oxidation, and inhibit inflammatory markers. Lastly, we developed a class of polyphenolic compounds utilizing a non-free radical based reaction chemistry of poly(β-amino esters). The polyphenol apigenin was investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties to inhibit inflammation-mediated tumor cell metastasis. PEGylated nanoparticles that incorporated apigenin poly(β-amino ester) were developed and found to retain their anti-inflammatory efficacy while providing a long term release profile. These inhibited the ability of tumor cells to adhere to inflamed vascular cells. We also have shown that these polymers can suppress markers of inflammation responsible in enhancing tumor cell adhesion

Articulating Problems and Markets: A Translation Analysis of Entrepreneurs’ Emergent Value Propositions

In this qualitative study, the authors apply Callon’s sociology of translation to examine how new technology entrepreneurs enact material arguments that involve the first two moments of translation—problematization (defining a market problem) and interessement (defining a market and the firm’s relationship to it) - which in turn are represented in a claim, the value proposition. That emergent claim can then be represented and further changed during pitches. If accepted, it can then lead to the second two moments of translation: enrollment and mobilization. Drawing on written materials, observations, and interviews, we trace how these value propositions were iterated along three paths to better problematize and interesse, articulating a problem and market on which a business could plausibly be built. We conclude by discussing implications for understanding value propositions in entrepreneurship and, more broadly, using the sociology of translation to analyze emergent, material, consequential arguments. The study is based on data collected at the Austin Technology Incubator’s Student Entrepreneur Acceleration and Launch program (ATI SEAL) at The University of Texas at Austin.IC2 Institut

Axiomatic Deisgn of Manufacturing Systems

This paper introduces the use of axiomatic design in the design of manufacturing systems. The two primary functional requirements of any manufacturing system are developed. These functional requirements are then used to analyze the design of four manufacturing systems in terms of system performance.The purpose of this work is to provide a new foundation for describing, determining, and rationalizing the design of any new manufacturing system.Lean Aerospace Initiativ

Kepler-18b,c, and d: A System of Three Planets Confirmed by Transit Timing Variations, Light Curve Validation, Warm-Spitzer Photometry, and Radial Velocity Measurements

We report the detection of three transiting planets around a Sun-like star, which we designate Kepler-18. The transit signals were detected in photometric data from the Kepler satellite, and were confirmed to arise from planets using a combination of large transit-timing variations (TTVs), radial velocity variations, Warm-Spitzer observations, and statistical analysis of false-positive probabilities. The Kepler-18 star has a mass of 0.97 M_☉, a radius of 1.1 R_☉, an effective temperature of 5345 K, and an iron abundance of [Fe/H] = +0.19. The planets have orbital periods of approximately 3.5, 7.6, and 14.9 days. The innermost planet "b" is a "super-Earth" with a mass of 6.9 ± 3.4 M_⊕, a radius of 2.00 ± 0.10 R_⊕, and a mean density of 4.9 ± 2.4 g cm^3. The two outer planets "c" and "d" are both low-density Neptune-mass planets. Kepler-18c has a mass of 17.3 ± 1.9 M_⊕, a radius of 5.49 ± 0.26 R_⊕, and a mean density of 0.59 ± 0.07 g cm^3, while Kepler-18d has a mass of 16.4 ± 1.4 M_⊕, a radius of 6.98 ± 0.33 R_⊕ and a mean density of 0.27 ± 0.03 g cm^3. Kepler-18c and Kepler-18d have orbital periods near a 2:1 mean-motion resonance, leading to large and readily detected TTVs

Sustainable Enterprise Design 4.0: Addressing Industry 4.0 Technologies from the Perspective of Sustainability

Abstract The introduction of Industry 4.0 and sustainability in production is currently on everyone's mind. However, companies face difficulties to address these trends in their long-term enterprise strategy and design. Industry 4.0 promises strategic advantages for companies in many respects, but there is a lack of instruments and concepts for integrating emerging technologies in an overall enterprise system design. Similarly, the multiple perspectives regarding economic, environmental and social sustainability provide a framework for thinking about a strategy for sustainable enterprise design. Based on the three principles presented in this paper for Sustainable Enterprise Design, this article aims to present an approach to better address sustainability as well as Industry 4.0 in terms of a long-term strategic, enterprise design that is sustainable. As a result, a list of needs, functional requirements as well as possible Industry 4.0 physical solutions is proposed to achieve a long-term sustainable enterprise design. The consequence of the perspective of an enterprise as a system that can be designed provides a rigorous approach that takes advantage of Industry 4.0 technologies and the multiple perspectives and candidate physical solutions that the research community offers

The Fabrication and Integration of a 15 MHz Array Within a Biopsy Needle

It is proposed that integrating ultrasound transducer arrays at the tip of tools such as biopsy needles could enable valuable, real-time image feedback during interventional procedures. High-resolution ultrasound imaging has the potential to aid navigation of interventional tools, and to assist diagnosis or treatment via in-vivo tissue characterisation in the breast, amongst many other applications. In order to produce miniature transducer arrays incorporated within biopsy needle-sized packages (2-5 mm diameter), the challenges in micromachining and handling transducer materials at this scale must be overcome. This paper presents fabrication processes used in the micromachining of a 16 element 15 MHz PIN-PMN-PT piezocrystal-polymer composite array and its integration into an 11 G breast biopsy needle. Particular emphasis is given to the manufacturing of the 1-3 dice-and-fill piezocrystal composite, and establishing electrical interconnects. Characterisation measurements have demonstrated operation of each of the 16 elements within the needle case

Understanding Lean Manufacturing According to Axiomatic Design Principles

In this paper, a sequence of implementation steps will be developed through the application of axiomatic design. This sequence will provide a design methodology for lean production which connects manufacturing system design objectives to operation design parameters.Lean Aerospace Initiativ