VisGenome: visualization of single and comparative genome representations

VisGenome visualizes single and comparative representations for the rat, the mouse and the human chromosomes at different levels of detail. The tool offers smooth zooming and panning which is more flexible than seen in other browsers. It presents information available in Ensembl for single chromosomes, as well as homologies (orthologue predictions including ortholog one2one, apparent ortholog one2one, ortholog many2many) for any two chromosomes from different species. The application can query supporting data from Ensembl by invoking a link in a browser

AUTOSIM: An automated repetitive software testing tool

AUTOSIM is a software tool which automates the repetitive run testing of software. This tool executes programming tasks previously performed by a programmer with one year of programming experience. Use of the AUTOSIM tool requires a knowledge base containing information about known faults, code fixes, and the fault diagnosis-correction process. AUTOSIM can be considered as an expert system which replaces a low level of programming expertise. Reference information about the design and implementation of the AUTOSIM software test tool provides flowcharts to assist in maintaining the software code and a description of how to use the tool

Shuttle TPS thermal performance and analysis methodology

Thermal performance of the thermal protection system was approximately as predicted. The only extensive anomalies were filler bar scorching and over-predictions in the high Delta p gap heating regions of the orbiter. A technique to predict filler bar scorching has been developed that can aid in defining a solution. Improvement in high Delta p gap heating methodology is still under study. Minor anomalies were also examined for improvements in modeling techniques and prediction capabilities. These include improved definition of low Delta p gap heating, an analytical model for inner mode line convection heat transfer, better modeling of structure, and inclusion of sneak heating. The limited number of problems related to penetration items that presented themselves during orbital flight tests were resolved expeditiously, and designs were changed and proved successful within the time frame of that program

Phase behaviour of attractive and repulsive ramp fluids: integral equation and computer simulation studies

Using computer simulations and a thermodynamically self consistent integral equation we investigate the phase behaviour and thermodynamic anomalies of a fluid composed of spherical particles interacting via a two-scale ramp potential (a hard core plus a repulsive and an attractive ramp) and the corresponding purely repulsive model. Both simulation and integral equation results predict a liquid-liquid de-mixing when attractive forces are present, in addition to a gas-liquid transition. Furthermore, a fluid-solid transition emerges in the neighbourhood of the liquid-liquid transition region, leading to a phase diagram with a somewhat complicated topology. This solidification at moderate densities is also present in the repulsive ramp fluid, thus preventing fluid-fluid separation.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figure

Scattering of sound by atmospheric turbulence predictions in a refractive shadow zone

According to ray theory, regions exist in an upward refracting atmosphere where no sound should be present. Experiments show, however, that appreciable sound levels penetrate these so-called shadow zones. Two mechanisms contribute to sound in the shadow zone: diffraction and turbulent scattering of sound. Diffractive effects can be pronounced at lower frequencies but are small at high frequencies. In the short wavelength limit, then, scattering due to turbulence should be the predominant mechanism involved in producing the sound levels measured in shadow zones. No existing analytical method includes turbulence effects in the prediction of sound pressure levels in upward refractive shadow zones. In order to obtain quantitative average sound pressure level predictions, a numerical simulation of the effect of atmospheric turbulence on sound propagation is performed. The simulation is based on scattering from randomly distributed scattering centers ('turbules'). Sound pressure levels are computed for many realizations of a turbulent atmosphere. Predictions from the numerical simulation are compared with existing theories and experimental data

Review on Slip Transmission Criteria in Experiments and Crystal Plasticity Models

A comprehensive overview is given of the literature on slip transmission criteria for grain boundaries in metals, with a focus on slip system and grain boundary orientation. Much of this extensive literature has been informed by experimental investigations. The use of geometric criteria in continuum crystal plasticity models is discussed. The theoretical framework of Gurtin (2008, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 56, p. 640) is reviewed for the single slip case. This highlights the connections to slip transmission criteria from the literature that are not discussed in the work itself. Different geometric criteria are compared for the single slip case with regard to their prediction of slip transmission. Perspectives on additional criteria, investigated in experiments and used in computational simulations, are given.Comment: in Journal of Materials Science, 201

A Phenomenological Case Study of Preparedness for Public Interest Lawyers

The literature focusing on reform in legal education has failed to define what “preparedness” for a public interest lawyer means. In order to examine what conditions make a public interest lawyer graduate practice-ready, we must investigate the phenomenon which constitutes preparedness for public interest law

Patterns and Mechanisms of Tick-borne Disease Exposure Risk in Acadia National Park

National park areas represent unique disease transmission settings compared to other private and public lands, limiting our capacity to understand tick-borne disease exposure risk using traditional approaches. These challenges may be overcome by using ecological metrics to develop spatial models of disease vector density and to identify areas of highest vector exposure risk within a park. The blacklegged tick and the infectious diseases of humans and wildlife that it transmits, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis, have been expanding in the eastern United States within recent decades. Acadia National Park (ANP) located on Mount Desert Island, ME is highly visited, with more than 3 million visitors per year, and largely has not been assessed for tick-borne disease exposure risk. To determine the broad scale patterns of blacklegged tick densities in ANP, field surveys of blacklegged ticks were conducted at a total of 114 sites across the park between the months of June and August during two consecutive years. Using field-observed nymphal tick densities and geospatial landscape feature data (i.e., land cover, elevation, forest fragmentation, aspect, and UTM coordinates) a random forest model was created to model nymphal tick density across Mount Desert Island. We found that nymphal tick densities vary significantly across the island and are particularly high in areas characterized by deciduous forest cover, relatively low elevations and northerly and easterly locations. To investigate the causal mechanisms driving spatial patterns of tick density, a subset of 19 sites were assessed for microclimate conditions (relative humidity and temperature), host activity (small mammal trapping and deer scat surveys), and vegetation metrics (percent canopy cover and leaf litter depth). Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that there are significant differences in microclimate conditions across landscape features but not among host activity or vegetation metrics. Generalized linear models indicated that mean temperature and mean humidity are significantly correlated to nymphal densities and therefore may provide a mechanistic link between landscape features and blacklegged tick densities. This project emphasizes the importance of using ecological metrics to estimate risk of exposure to vector-borne diseases, provides new insight into habitat characteristics that may drive tick-borne disease exposure risk across spatial scales, and demonstrates the design and effort required to operationalize similar vector-borne disease risk assessment protocols in other National Parks

Spiritual Coaching: Helping People Develop and Implement Their Own Growth Strategies

Problem In spite of a plethora of discipleship programs and good preaching, the church in general has failed to empower believers who consistently re-present Jesus and His ministry in the earth today; nor are they reproducing other disciples. The limiting factor appears to be internal fears and beliefs within the disciples, rather than a lack of knowledge or skills. A more effective disciple making process whereby both pastors and congregants can move people of varying levels of maturity, knowledge and experience toward God is imperative if the church is to fulfill the Great Commission to “go and make disciples.” Method Seven subjects at varying levels of spiritual interest were selected. The Emotional/Spiritual Inventory developed by Peter Scazzero, was administered to the participants before and after engaging them in twelve personal coaching sessions over a six month period. A comparison of their pre- and post-scores resulted in an average growth score in each of the seven areas of emotional and spiritual health measured by the inventory. Results Each participant scored higher in at least one of the seven areas of spiritual/emotional health. In addition, each learned how to set measurable personal goals and develop strategies for life-long spiritual growth. Five of the seven participants have begun to engage non-believers in spiritual conversations and have started inviting them to church. Conclusions Teaching and equipping programs are necessary, but inadequate in themselves to empower disciples because they are powerless to identify and remove the internal obstacles that keep believers from acting on the knowledge they acquire. Coaching is a process that enables people to discover their internal obstacles, and devise strategies for their growth