Freeform Bioprinting of Liver Encapsulated in Alginate Hydrogels Tissue Constructs for Pharmacokinetic Study

An in vitro model that can be realistically and inexpensively used to predict human response to various drug administration and toxic chemical exposure is needed. By fabricating a microscale 3D physiological tissue construct consisting of an array of channels and tissue-embedded chambers, one can selectively develop various biomimicking mammalian tissues for a number of pharmaceutical applications, for example, experimental pharmaceutical screening for drug efficacy and toxicity along with apprehending the disposition and metabolic profile of a candidate drug. This paper addresses issues relating to the development and implementation of a bioprinting process for freeform fabrication of a 3D cell-encapsulated hydrogel-based tissue construct, the direct integration onto a microfluidic device for pharmacokinetic study, and the underlying engineering science for the fabrication of a 3D microscale tissue chamber as well as its application in pharmacokinetic study. To this end, a prototype 3D microfluidic tissue chamber embedded with liver cells encapsulated within a hydrogel matrix construct is bioprinted as a physiological in vitro model for pharmacokinetic study. The developed fabrication processes are further validated and parameters optimized by assessing cell viability and liver cell phenotype, in which metabolic and synthetic liver functions are quantitated.Mechanical Engineerin

Generalized Voxel Coloring

Image-based reconstruction from randomly scattered views is a challenging problem. We present a new algorithm that extends Seitz and Dyer’s Voxel Coloring algorithm. Unlike their algorithm, ours can use images from arbitrary camera locations. The key problem in this class of algorithms is that of identifying the images from which a voxel is visible. Unlike Kutulakos and Seitz’s Space Carving technique, our algorithm solves this problem exactly and the resulting reconstructions yield better results in our application, which is synthesizing new views. One variation of our algorithm minimizes color consistency comparisons; another uses less memory and can be accelerated with graphics hardware. We present efficiency measurements and, for comparison, we present images synthesized using our algorithm and Space Carving

Reliability and Validity of the Thematic Apperception Test Scored by the Discomfort-Relief Quotient

The purpose of this study was to investigate scorer reliability of the Discomfort-Relief Quotient (DRQ) method of scoring applied to the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). A second aim was to investigate some of the interrelationships between Tension, as measured by DRQ, and (1) Grade Point Averages, (2) Number of Quarters spent at CWCE, (3) Practice Teaching Ratings, and (4) First-Year Teaching success

Volumetric Warping for Voxel Coloring on an Infinite Domain

Starting with a set of calibrated photographs taken of a scene, voxel coloring algorithms reconstruct three-dimensional surface models on a finite spatial domain. In this paper, we present a method that warps the voxel space, so that the domain of the reconstruction extends to an infinite or semi-infinite volume. Doing so enables the reconstruction of objects far away from the cameras, as well as reconstruction of a background environment. New views synthesized using the warped voxel space have improved photo-realism

Roughages for fattening two-year-old steers

The relative values of different roughages in the winter fattening of two-year-old steers when shelled corn, full-fed, cottonseed meal and salt are allowed, as well as the advisability of limiting the grain fed in a corn silage-alfalfa hay-salt ration are the themes of the experiment covered in this bulletin. How does corn fodder compare in feeding value with corn silage? What are the comparative feeding values of red clover and alfalfa hays? Will timothy and oat straw supply the steers\u27 needs economically when this roughage is balanced with a liberal allowance of cottonseed meal fed with the corn grain and salt? How does mixed timothy-clover hay rank alongside the pure red clover? Can one finish two-year-old. cattle with profit by using corn silage, alfalfa hay and salt without extra grain? These are some of the questions this research throws light upon

Soybean and alfalfa hays for wintering pregnant ewes

Since the soybean acreage has increased in Iowa and the Corn Belt, the determination of the economic feeding value of this plant deserves attention. Alfalfa and clover have long been considered good legume hays for sheep. Because of the increase in soybean production, which involves a greater volume of soybean hay, the question naturally arises as to how this legume hay compares in feeding value with clover and alfalfa. With this question in mind four lots of pregnant ewes were experimentally fed on soybean and alfalfa hays and certain combinations of these two hays. The results secured are reported herein

Preparation of corn for yearling brood sows

Ear corn and shelled corn proved more efficient than ground ear corn or corn meal for wintering brood sows. This was the result obtained where four groups of 10 sows each received salt (self-fed), and three-fifths of a pound per head daily of a mixture of linseed oilmeal, tankage and wheat middlings, in addition to one of the following: ear corn, shelled corn, corn and cob meal, or ground corn. The differences in gains from the various kinds of corn preparation were not great. Hence, the objection to grinding the corn lies in the cost. Ground shelled corn proved especially costly

Dried buttermilk for growing and fattening pigs

The objects of this experiment were to determine the comparative value and efficiency of meat meal tankage, dried buttermilk and various combinations of these feeds on health, gains, feed requirements, water consumption, time required to reach 225 pounds average weight and other factors, when these protein feeds were self-fed along with shelled corn to growing and fattening pigs in dry lots. The pigs used in this test were very uniform in age, weight and breeding. They were all sired by the same purebred Hampshire boar and were out of either related purebred or very high grade Hampshire sows. The pigs were selected from four litters

Methods for Volumetric Reconstruction of Visual Scenes

In this paper, we present methods for 3D volumetric reconstruction of visual scenes photographed by multiple calibrated cameras placed at arbitrary viewpoints. Our goal is to generate a 3D model that can be rendered to synthesize new photo-realistic views of the scene. We improve upon existing voxel coloring/space carving approaches by introducing new ways to compute visibility and photo-consistency, as well as model infinitely large scenes. In particular, we describe a visibility approach that uses all possible color information from the photographs during reconstruction, photo-consistency measures that are more robust and/or require less manual intervention, and a volumetric warping method for application of these reconstruction methods to large-scale scenes