Theoretical aspects of the study of top quark properties

We review some recent theoretical progresses towards the determination of the top-quark couplings beyond the standard model. We briefly introduce the global effective field theory approach to the top-quark production and decay processes, and discuss the most useful observables to constrain the deviations. Recent improvements with a focus on QCD corrections and corresponding tools are also discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. Based on plenary talk given at LHCP2017, Shanghai, 15-20 May 201

Exploring Early College Credit Implications for Engineering

In the past decade, increasing numbers of students are taking college credit courses while still in high school, through programs such as Advanced Placement or through agreements with the local community colleges. Recognizing this trend, an Iowa State University task force researched the impact that this early college credit (ECC) was having on both the student experience and the university. The study methodology included both quantitative and qualitative analyses, using student academic records, student surveys and focus groups, faculty focus groups, and review of institutional materials. This paper disaggregates institutional findings to compare the experiences of engineering and non-engineering students. Similar to nonengineering students, engineering students with ECC had higher one-year retention rates, took fewer credits their first semester of enrollment, graduated after eight semesters of enrollment and graduated in fewer semesters overall than did engineering students without ECC. However, there were differences in the experiences between engineering students and non-engineering students. Engineering students did not see an increase in GPA or graduation rates; and, they were more likely to repeat courses taken as ECC and to have their ECC courses not count toward their degree programs. Strategies to increase the effectiveness of ECC for engineering students could include offering of key entry-level engineering courses to students in high school, a review of the engineering curriculum for sequencing and flexibility, increased attention on issues of mathematics curriculum alignment with feeder institutions, and improved communication with high school students, parents and counselors

Effects of Removal and Remixing of Heavyweight Pigs on Performance to Slaughter Weights

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of heavyweight pig removal and remixing on performance. The experiment used a total of 450 pigs (31 kg initial BW) that were sorted and remixed at a mean replicate BW of 73 kg. Treatments were 15 pigs/pen from initial BW to slaughter (15S), 20 pigs/pen from initial BW to time of sort and remix, then reduced to 15 pigs/pen (20/ 15), and 15 pigs/pen from time of sort and remix to slaughter, comprised of the 5 heaviest pigs from each of three 20/15 pens per replicate (15M). Space allocation was 0.56 m2/pig to the day of remixing and 0.74 m2/pig thereafter. There was no effect (P \u3e 0.1) of treatment on ADG before 73 kg BW when pens were 1A contribution of the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division, Lincoln, NE 68583. Journal series no. 14679. 2To whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected] 3Committee members during the study in addition to those listed above were G. Apgar, SIU; M. Carlson, MO; R. K. Christenson, USDA-ARS RLH USMARC; L. Christianson, IL; M. Ellis, IL; R. Goodband, KSU; J. D. Harmon, IA; M. Honeyman, IA; D. D. Jones, IN; S. J. Moeller, OH; B. Richert, IN; K. Stalder, TN; R. C. Thaler, SD. the experimental units. There was no effect (P \u3e 0.1) of treatment on ADG or feed conversion to slaughter BW following removal and remixing using the contrast 20/15 + 15M vs. 15S. The average of the replicate for 20/15 and 15M was used as the experimental unit in a second statistical analysis. Daily feed was less (P = 0.079) from placement to 73 kg BW for the 20/15 + 15M population vs. the 15S population resulting in a lesser (P = 0.067) overall ADG (0.875 vs. 0.887 kg/d, respectively) with no effect (P \u3e 0.1) on feed conversion or CV sample population BW. Removal and remixing of heavyweight pigs at a midpoint in the growth process had minimal effects on performance to slaughter and CV for BW at slaughter

Competency-based Outcomes Assessment for Agricultural Engineering Programs

The ABET 2000 criteria have provided the impetus for the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at Iowa State University to re-structure the assessment of its undergraduate agricultural engineering program. We linked ABET student outcomes to validated work-place competencies with key actions that are measurable in academic and experiential education environments. Two tools are being used to assess competencies: an on-line assessment system and electronic portfolios developed by each student as a requirement for graduation. This paper discusses the overall philosophy of our assessment program, how the assessment tools are being implemented, and the implications for change in the curriculum

Examining the Use of Engineering Internship Workplace Competency Assessments for Continuous Improvement

This study explored how workplace competency assessment data from internship studentsand their supervisors, collected by College of Engineering programs between fall 2001 throughfall 2011 are applied toward continuous improvement practices. The continuous improvementprocess is integral to the accreditation and evaluation of the engineering curriculum. This mixedmethods study examined three separate practices using internship workplace competencyassessment ratings in the continuous improvement process. The study examined how assessmentrankings of the internship students’ workplace competency strengths and weakness have changedfrom the 2001-05 assessment terms in the past accreditation cycle, to the 2006-11 assessmentterms of the most recent accreditation cycle. In addition, this study examined competencyachievement percentages related to the ABET Criterion 3 (a-k) outcomes across the sametimeline. The third part of the study investigated how workplace competency assessment data areused to support continuous improvement for program curricula in the College of Engineering.The intent of the study was to gain better understanding of how the workplace competencyassessment data has benefited the continuous improvement process that enhances studentlearning. The results can also provide suggestions to programs in the early stages of developingnew program evaluation techniques

Comparative analysis of the Geobacillus hemicellulose utilization locus reveals a highly variable target for improved hemicellulolysis

BACKGROUND: Members of the thermophilic genus Geobacillus can grow at high temperatures and produce a battery of thermostable hemicellulose hydrolytic enzymes, making them ideal candidates for the bioconversion of biomass to value-added products. To date the molecular determinants for hemicellulose degradation and utilization have only been identified and partially characterized in one strain, namely Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6, where they are clustered in a single genetic locus. RESULTS: Using the G. stearothermophilus T-6 hemicellulose utilization locus as genetic marker, orthologous hemicellulose utilization (HUS) loci were identified in the complete and partial genomes of 17/24 Geobacillus strains. These HUS loci are localized on a common genomic island. Comparative analyses of these loci revealed extensive variability among the Geobacillus hemicellulose utilization systems, with only seven out of 41–68 proteins encoded on these loci conserved among the HUS+ strains. This translates into extensive differences in the hydrolytic enzymes, transport systems and metabolic pathways employed by Geobacillus spp. to degrade and utilize hemicellulose polymers. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic variability among the Geobacillus HUS loci implies that they have variable capacities to degrade hemicellulose polymers, or that they may degrade distinct polymers, as are found in different plant species and tissues. The data from this study can serve as a basis for the genetic engineering of a Geobacillus strain(s) with an improved capacity to degrade and utilize hemicellulose.This project was partially funded through the University of Pretoria Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme and the National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Career Advancement (RCA) Fellowship Programme.http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcgenomics/am201