An Examination of the Neutral Axis of Wood Beams

For wood beams, it is often assumed that the neutral axis is located at the centroid of the beam. The neutral axis of isotropic, homogeneous materials is located at the centroid of the material, but wood is neither isotropic nor homogeneous. The varying grain patterns and knots located throughout wood are points of discontinuity that make wood anisotropic and non-homogeneous. In fact, wood is an orthotropic material, meaning that it has properties that are different in three mutually perpendicular directions. Because of this, research is needed to determine the location of the neutral axis of wood materials to gain a better understanding of the behavior of wood beams. This project used Digital Image Correlation and VIC-3D software to analyze 1in by 1in and nominal 2in by 4in wood beams when loaded in bending. Axial strain plots were used to determine the location of the neutral axis. From the data obtained, it was determined that the neutral axis of 1in by 1in wood beams is located below the centroid and for 2in by 4in beams the neutral axis is located above the centroid. Additionally, it was determined that knots will change the location of the neutral axis depending on their location in the beam

Gene content and distribution in the nuclear genome of Fragaria vesca

Thirty fosmids were randomly selected from a library of Fragaria vesca subsp. americana (cv. Pawtuckaway) DNA. These fosmid clones were individually sheared, and ∼4- to 5-kb fragments were subcloned. Subclones on a single 384-well plate were sequenced bidirectionally for each fosmid. Assembly of these data yielded 12 fosmid inserts completely sequenced, 14 inserts as 2 to 3 contiguous sequences (contigs), and 4 inserts with 5 to 9 contigs. In most cases, a single unambiguous contig order and orientation was determined, so no further finishing was required to identify genes and their relative arrangement. One hundred fifty-eight genes were identified in the ∼1.0 Mb of nuclear genomic DNA that was assembled. Because these fosmids were randomly chosen, this allowed prediction of the genetic content of the entire ∼200 Mb F. vesca genome as about 30,500 protein-encoding genes, plus >4700 truncated gene fragments. The genes are mostly arranged in gene-rich regions, to a variable degree intermixed with transposable elements (TEs). The most abundant TEs in F. vesca were found to be long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, and these comprised about 13% of the DNA analyzed. Over 30 new repeat families were discovered, mostly TEs, and the total TE content of F. vesca is predicted to be at least 16%.EEA BalcarceFil: Pontaroli, Ana Clara. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. University of Georgia. Department of Genetics; Estados UnidosFil: Rogers, Rebekah L. Harvard University. Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology; Estados Unidos. University of Georgia. Department of Genetics; Estados UnidosFil: Qian, Zhang. University of New Hampshire. Department of Biological Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Shields, Melanie E. University of New Hampshire. Department of Biological Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Davis, Thomas M. University of New Hampshire. Department of Biological Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Folta, Kevin M. University of Florida. Horticultural Sciences Department; Estados UnidosFil: SanMiguel, Phillip. Purdue University. Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Estados UnidosFil: Bennetzen, Jeffrey L. University of Georgia. Department of Genetics; Estados Unido

An examination of targeted gene neighborhoods in strawberry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Strawberry (<it>Fragaria </it>spp.) is the familiar name of a group of economically important crop plants and wild relatives that also represent an emerging system for the study of gene and genome evolution. Its small stature, rapid seed-to-seed cycle, transformability and miniscule basic genome make strawberry an attractive system to study processes related to plant physiology, development and crop production; yet it lacks substantial genomics-level resources. This report addresses this deficiency by characterizing 0.71 Mbp of gene space from a diploid species (<it>F. vesca</it>). The twenty large genomic tracks (30-52 kb) captured as fosmid inserts comprise gene regions with roles in flowering, disease resistance, and metabolism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A detailed description of the studied regions reveals 131 Blastx-supported gene sites and eight additional EST-supported gene sites. Only 15 genes have complete EST coverage, enabling gene modelling, while 76 lack EST support. Instances of microcolinearity with <it>Arabidopsis thaliana </it>were identified in twelve inserts. A relatively high portion (25%) of targeted genes were found in unanticipated tandem duplications. The effectiveness of six FGENESH training models was assessed via comparisons among <it>ab initio </it>predictions and homology-based gene and start/stop codon identifications. Fourteen transposable-element-related sequences and 158 simple sequence repeat loci were delineated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report details the structure and content of targeted regions of the strawberry genome. The data indicate that the strawberry genome is gene-dense, with an average of one protein-encoding gene or pseudogene per 5.9 kb. Current overall EST coverage is sparse. The unexpected gene duplications and their differential patterns of EST support suggest possible subfunctionalization or pseudogenization of these sequences. This report provides a high-resolution depiction of targeted gene neighborhoods that will aid whole-genome sequence assembly, provide valuable tools for plant breeders and advance the understanding of strawberry genome evolution.</p

Factors affecting faculty use of learning technologies: Implications for models of technology adoption

This study examines factors associated with the use of learning technologies by higher education faculty. In an online survey in a UK university, 114 faculty respondents completed a measure of Internet self-efficacy, and reported on their use of learning technologies along with barriers to their adoption. Principal components analysis suggested two main barriers to adoption: structural constraints within the University and perceived usefulness of the tools. Regression analyses indicated both these variables, along with Internet self-efficacy, were associated with use of online learning technology. These findings are more consistent with models of technology engagement that recognize facilitating or inhibiting conditions (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology; decomposed theory of planned behavior) than the classic technology acceptance model (TAM). Practical implications for higher education institutions are that while faculty training and digital literacy initiatives may have roles to play, structural factors (e.g., provision of resources and technical support) must also be addressed for optimal uptake of learning technologies

Common Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) Software Development for Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Test Facilities - A General Overview

The advent of the commercial space launch industry and NASA's more recent resumption of operation of Stennis Space Center's large test facilities after thirty years of contractor control resulted in a need for a non-proprietary data acquisition system (DAS) software to support government and commercial testing. The software is designed for modularity and adaptability to minimize the software development effort for current and future data systems. An additional benefit of the software's architecture is its ability to easily migrate to other testing facilities thus providing future commonality across Stennis. Adapting the software to other Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Centers such as MSFC, White Sands, and Plumbrook Station would provide additional commonality and help reduce testing costs for NASA. Ultimately, the software provides the government with unlimited rights and guarantees privacy of data to commercial entities. The project engaged all RPT Centers and NASA's Independent Verification & Validation facility to enhance product quality. The design consists of a translation layer which provides the transparency of the software application layers to underlying hardware regardless of test facility location and a flexible and easily accessible database. This presentation addresses system technical design, issues encountered, and the status of Stennis' development and deployment

Characterization of Rat Meibomian Gland Ion and Fluid Transport

We establish novel primary rat meibomian gland (MG) cell culture systems and explore the ion transport activities of the rat MG

8th Annual Seminar on Legal Issues for Financial Institutions

Outline of speakers\u27 presentations from the 8th Annual Seminar on Legal Issues for Financial Institutions held by UK/CLE on March 11-12, 1988