Bioengineering options and strategies for the optimization of anaerobic digestion processes

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a complex biological process, and the microbial diversity and dynamics within the reactor needs to be understood and considered when process optimization is sought after. Microbial interactions such as competition, mutualism, antagonism and syntrophism affect the function and the survival of single species in the community; hence, they need to be understood for process improvement. Although the relationship between process performance and the microbial community structure is well established, changes in the community might occur without detectable changes in gas production and reactor performance. Recent molecular-based studies have highlighted the complexity of AD systems revealing the presence of several uncultivated species and the need for further research in this area. However, this information is still rarely used for process optimization. The integration of next generation sequencing technologies, such as 454-pyrosequencing, with other techniques, such as phospholipid-derived fatty acids analysis, can provide a holistic understanding of the microbial community. In addition, the in-depth phylogenetic resolution provided can aid environmental ecologists and engineers to better understand and optimize the AD process and consolidate the information collected to date

Materials Control for Aerospace Applications

The distant future of mankind and the ultimate survivability of the human race, as it is known today, will depend on mans' ability to break earthly bonds and establish new territorial positions throughout the universe. Man must therefore be positioned to not only travel to, but also, to readily adapt to numerous and varying environments. For this mass migration across the galaxies nothing is as import to the human race as is NASA's future missions into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), to the moon, and/or Mars. These missions will form the building blocks to eternity for mankind. From these missions, NASA will develop the foundations for these building blocks based on sound engineering and scientific principles, both known and yet to be discovered. The integrity of the program will lead to development, tracking and control of the most basic elements of hardware production: That being development and control of applications of space flight materials. Choosing the right material for design purposes involves many considerations, such as governmental regulations associated with manufacturing operations, both safety of usage and of manufacturing, general material usage requirements, material longevity and performance requirements, material interfacing compatibility and material usage environments. Material performance is subject to environmental considerations in as much as a given material may perform exceptionally well at standard temperatures and pressures while performing poorly under non-standard conditions. These concerns may be found true for materials relative to the extreme temperatures and vacuum gradients of high altitude usage. The only way to assure that flight worthy materials are used in design is through testing. However, as with all testing, it requires both time on schedule and cost to the operation. One alternative to this high cost testing approach is to rely on a materials control system established by NASA. The NASA community relies on the MAPTIS materials control system founded at MSFC and supported by the other NASA Centers. This system is a data bank of all materials used in space flight operations. These materials are rated for several characteristics that are common concerns in high altitude or deep space usage: Odor, off gassing, material fluid compatibility, toxicity, corrosion susceptibility, stress corrosion susceptibility, etc

James MacMillan\u27s Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman and the Culture of Liturgical Music-Making in the Scottish Catholic Church

James MacMillan composed his Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman as a congregational setting for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom in 2010. The work was heralded as the first setting of the new English Missal translation, and MacMillan expressed hope that it would make a longer-term contribution to music-making in the Roman Catholic Anglosphere. However, in Scotland at least, Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman has not made a widespread impact. The purpose of this article is to understand why MacMillan was unable to add his setting to the body of congregational music in Scotland. Drawing upon an analysis of the work, and first-hand interviews with parish music leaders in Scotland, the suitability of the piece as a congregational Mass is examined. While many of those interviewed perceive Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman to be technically difficult for their congregations to sing, some also see the setting as failing to resonate with the wider identity of Scottish Catholic congregations. MacMillan himself has blamed the “culture of liturgy” in the Scottish Catholic Church for what he defines as the “failure” of his recent congregational music. Supported by data from a recent national survey of music-making, the current state of music in the Scottish Catholic Church is examined in order to better understand this liturgical culture

Fingerprinted circuits and methods of making and identifying the same

A circuit having a fingerprint for identification of a particular instantiation of the circuit is disclosed. The circuit may include a plurality of digital circuits or gates. Each of the digital circuits or gates is responsive to a configuration voltage applied to its analog input for controlling whether or not the digital circuit or gate performs its intended digital function and each of the digital circuits or gates transitioning between its functional state and its at least one other state when the configuration voltage equals a boundary voltage. The boundary voltage varies between different instantiations of the circuit for a majority of the digital circuits or gates and these differing boundary voltages serving to identify (or fingerprint) different instantiations of the same circuit

The Principles and Rhetoric of Autarky: Debate and Decision-making in Early Colonial Kenya

This study seeks to understand the decision-making process of the colonial government of the East Africa Protectorate by articulating the principles of autarky: financial independence, development, and effective occupation. The principles of autarky, which are both goal and process for the colonial government, strove to bring that government to a state of self-sufficiency, or autarky. These principles created their own rhetoric within official correspondence which dominated the decision-making process. By looking at three different periods, Foreign Office control, the transition to Colonial Office responsibility, and the Soldier Settlement Scheme of 1919, the importance of the principles and rhetoric of autarky in debate and decision-making is made clear

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThe human brain is the seat of cognition and behavior. Understanding the brain mechanistically is essential for appreciating its linkages with cognitive processes and behavioral outcomes in humans. Mechanisms of brain function categorically represent rich and widely under-investigated biological substrates for neural-driven studies of psychiatry and mental health. Research examining intrinsic connectivity patterns across whole brain systems utilizes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to trace spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signals. In the first study presented, we reveal patterns of dynamic attractors in resting state functional connectivity data corresponding to well-documented biological networks. We introduce a novel simulation for whole brain dynamics that can be adapted to either group-level analysis or single-subject level models. We describe stability of intrinsic functional architecture in terms of transient and global steady states resembling biological networks. In the second study, we demonstrate plasticity in functional connectivity following a minimum six-week intervention to train cognitive performance in a speed reading task. Long-term modulation of connectivity with language regions indicate functional connectivity as a candidate biomarker for tracking and measuring functional changes in neural systems as outcomes of cognitive training. The third study demonstrates utility of functional biomarkers in predicting individual differences in behavioral and cognitive features. We successfully predict three major domains of personality psychologyintelligence, agreeableness, and conscientiousnessin individual subjects using a large (N=475) open source data sample compiled by the National Institutes of Healths Human Connectome Project

Status of Peary Caribou and Muskox Populations on Bathurst Island, N.W.T., August 1981

An aerial survey of Bathurst Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, was conducted 10-13 August 1981 to determine if Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) had recovered since die-offs in the early 1970s. Sampling intensity was 26%, except for 74% over Polar Bear Pass on central Bathurst Island. Populations of 289 Peary caribou and 208 muskoxen were estimated. The proportion of calves among classified animals was 19% for caribou and 16% for muskoxen. Caribou were concentrated on northern Bathurst, preferring elevations 151-300 m above sea level (asl). Muskoxen were concentrated in southern and central Bathurst Island, preferring elevations below 150 m asl. Spatial separation of the two species during the survey suggested little or no range overlap during late summer. Calf production and/or summer survival in 1981 was significantly greater than in 1974. The 1981 caribou and muskox estimates were only slightly greater than in August 1974. Thus the populations estimated in 1981 showed no marked overall recovery since 1974. Prohibition of harvesting of both species should continue on Bathurst Island. An "extensive-then-intensive" survey design is recommended for future work, based on statistical problems associated with the 1981 and previous surveys.Key words: Northwest Territories, Peary caribou, muskoxen, population status, distribution, management Du 10 au 13 août 1981 on a effectué un relevé aérien de l'île de Bathurst, dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest au Canada pour déterminer si la population du caribou de Peary (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) et celle du bœuf musqué (Ovibos moschatus) s'étaient remises de la dévastation du début des années 1970. L’intensité de I'échantillonnage était de 26%, sauf dans le Polar Bear Pass au centre de l'île de Bathurst où elle était de 74%. On a évalué les populations à 289 caribous de Peary et à 208 bœufs musqués. La proportion de veaux parmi les animaux qui ont été classifiés était de 19% pour les caribous et de 16% pour les boeufs musqués. Les caribous étaient concentrés au nord de I'île de Bathurst, montrant ainsi une préférence pour des altitudes comprises entre 151 m et 300 m au-dessus du niveau de la mer. Les boeufs musqués, qui préféraient des altitudes inférieures à 150 m au-dessus du niveau de la mer, étaient concentrés au centre et au sud de I'île de Bathurst. La séparation géographique des deux espèces durant le relevé semble indiquer qu’il n’y a eu que peu ou pas de chevauchement de leurs territoires à la fin de l'été. La production des veaux et/ou la survivance durant l'été étaient nettement plus grandes en 1981 qu’en 1974. L'estimation du nombre de caribous et de bœufs musqués en 1981 n'était que légèrement supérieure à celle d'août 1974. Les populations estimées en 1981 ne montraient donc dans leur ensemble aucune amélioration notable depuis 1974, et il devrait être encore interdit de chasser ces deux espèces dans l'île de Bathurst. En raison de problèmes statistiques associées aux relevés de 1981 et aux précédents, on recommande de planifier un relevé couvrant d'abord une plus grande surface, pus plus détaillé, en vue d'un travail futur. Mots clés: Territoires du Nord-Ouest, caribou de Peary, bœuf musqué, état de la population, répartition, gestio

Exploring visual learning in the basic writing classroom

For many students in basic writing classrooms the language of writing assignments, essay prompts and required reading is especially difficult. Therefore, some teachers are using approaches other than logical or linguistic methods to assist these students. This thesis details some of the methods teachers and researchers are using. Most significant is a case study that explores the use of visuals in a basic writing classroom. The results of the case study and a survey instrument suggest that there is a niche for alternative methods and the use of visuals in the basic writing classroom