A Monolithically Fabricated Combinatorial Mixer for Microchip-Based High-Throughput Cell Culturing Assays

We present an integrated method to fabricate 3- D microfluidic networks and fabricated the first on-chip cell culture device with an integrated combinatorial mixer. The combinatorial mixer is designed for screening the combinatorial effects of different compounds on cells. The monolithic fabrication method with parylene C as the basic structural material allows us to avoid wafer bonding and achieves precise alignment between microfluidic channels. As a proof-of-concept, we fabricated a device with a three-input combinatorial mixer and demonstrated that the mixer can produce all the possible combinations. Also, we demonstrated the ability to culture cells on-chip and performed a simple cell assay on-chip using trypan blue to stain dead cells

A multi-INT semantic reasoning framework for intelligence analysis support

Lockheed Martin Corp. has funded research to generate a framework and methodology for developing semantic reasoning applications to support the discipline oflntelligence Analysis. This chapter outlines that framework, discusses how it may be used to advance the information sharing and integrated analytic needs of the Intelligence Community, and suggests a system I software architecture for such applications

Quantifying slope-channel coupling in an active gully and fan complex at Tarndale, Waipaoa catchment, New Zealand

Two RIEGL LMS‐Z420i scanner surveys (November 2007 and November 2008) of the Tarndale Gully complex and its associated fan were used to generate a digital elevation model (DEM) of difference in order to quantify gully‐fan‐channel connectivity. The Te Weraroa Stream, into which the first order Tarndale system feeds, is buffered from sediment generated by the gully complex by a fan. Sediment yields and the role of the fan in buffering Te Weraroa Stream are inferred from the TLS of the entire complex. DEM analysis suggests that c.25% of material derived from the gully is buffered from the stream by being stored in the fan. This figure was applied to fan behaviour since December 2004, mapped on nine successive occasions using detailed GPS surveys to get a longer‐term picture of sediment supply within the system and appraise a qualitative assessment of connectivity constructed on the basis of fan behaviour alone

Extension Educators Collecting Industry-specific Stakeholder Input

Extension educators have explored different methods for collecting stakeholder input, but a suitable methodology has not been agreed on. The Michigan State University Extension dairy team works with an advisory board and also collected formal stakeholder input through ten regional partner group surveys in 1997. In 2007, the team decided to seek another round of broad-based and inclusive stakeholder input. The research team decided to employ issue identification groups at different locations throughout the state and a mail survey. This paper reports on the procedure developed for this purpose and its results.focus group discussion, formative evaluation, issue identification, issue prioritization, multi-disciplinary teams, nominal group technique, Agribusiness, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Optimizing Traffic Flow and Space Utilization at ISU Transportation Services

Transportation services is looking to alleviate some of the congestion during peak times by putting in a self-service kiosk to allow for checkouts outside of normal business hours. In order to do this, the parking lot must be redesigned to fit enough cars and handle the traffic flow

AIOps for a Cloud Object Storage Service

With the growing reliance on the ubiquitous availability of IT systems and services, these systems become more global, scaled, and complex to operate. To maintain business viability, IT service providers must put in place reliable and cost efficient operations support. Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) is a promising technology for alleviating operational complexity of IT systems and services. AIOps platforms utilize big data, machine learning and other advanced analytics technologies to enhance IT operations with proactive actionable dynamic insight. In this paper we share our experience applying the AIOps approach to a production cloud object storage service to get actionable insights into system's behavior and health. We describe a real-life production cloud scale service and its operational data, present the AIOps platform we have created, and show how it has helped us resolving operational pain points.Comment: 5 page

Outreach to the Woody Biomass Industry in Minnesota

Minnesota has aggressive state policies to encourage renewable energy production. Biomass is a renewable energy source with great potential in Minnesota. We developed an Extension program that provided outreach to each link in the supply chain: landowners, land managers, loggers, and energy-intensive businesses. The content generally included information on markets, site and ecological impacts, and available resources. As a part of the outreach to energy-intensive businesses, we developed a GIS resource assessment tool and conducted an up-to-date harvest residue assessment for the state. We are happy to be able to provide this kind of support to a fledgling industry

AN EXPLORATION OF COMMUNITY AND CULTURE RELATED FIRE INJURY RISKS (8)

There can be different types and different levels of fire injury risks relating to different communities and cultures. In this paper we examine the fire injury risks associated with different communities and cultures in the Greater Manchester area within the UK over the period 2010 to 2015. Typically ethnicity data is only recorded for fire injuries rather than fire incidents. In particular, the research reported in this paper examines the fire injury risks relating to age, cooking practices, candle and incense use, alcohol consumption rates, and smoking rates across different communities and cultures. Overall there appeared to be significant differences between the injury risk of alcohol related fires, smoking related fires, and kitchen fires between the different community and cultural groups within the area studied over the given time period. In addition fire injury risk appears significantly higher for elderly individuals in the White British and White Irish community groups