Online Thermal Analysis of Batch Roasted Coffee Beans

We constructed and instrumented a fluidised-bed coffee roaster. This work has been carried out as part of a search for the “ideal point”, which is the point in time when an expert roaster would terminate the roast in order to yield beans that produce the optimal brew. We roasted Costa Rican Arabica beans whilst controlling the roasting temperature to follow a linear ramp. We measured and recorded the input, output, and coffee bean surface temperatures. We introduce the idea of “bean load”, an uncalibrated measure of the heat load presented by the material being roasted. The bean load under constantly-ramping bean surface temperature shows the roast is increasingly endothermic. Toward the end of the roast the endothermic phenomena decrease, or are assisted by exothermic activity. The bean load also has a repeatable dip around first crack. Due to limitations with the roaster we were not able to make reliable measurements at and beyond second crack. We observed no waypoints or events that might be used to pinpoint the “ideal point” to end the roast

Long-term lunar stations: Some ecological considerations

A major factor for long-term success of a lunar station is the ability to keep an agroecosystem functioning at a desirable, stable steady-state with ecological stability and reliability. Design for a long-lived extraterrestrial manned station must take into account interactions among its subsystems to insure that overall functionality is enhanced (or at least not compromised). Physical isolation of feed production, human living areas, recycling, and other systems may be straightforward, however, microbiological isolation will be very difficult. While it is possible to eliminate plant-associated microbiological communities by growing the plants asepticallly, it is not practical to keep plants germ-free on a large scale if humans are working with them. Ecological theory strongly suggests that some kinds of communities or organisms effectively increase the stability of ecosystems and will protect the plants from potential pathogens. A carefully designed and maintained (lunar-derived) soil can provide a variety of habitats for effective microbial buffers while adding structure to the agroecosystem. A soil can also increase ecosystem reliability through buffering otherwise large element and compound fluctuations (of nutrients, wastes, etc.) as well as buffering temperature level and atmosphere composition. We are doing experiments in ecological dynamics and attempting to extend the relevant theories

Student Perceptions of Simulation Games and Training Software on Improving Course Learning Objectives and Career Preparedness

Online simulation and training games were used in two undergraduate courses in agribusiness to help improve student understanding and course objectives. Students responded positively to the teaching activities. The activities also extended the out of class learning environment.student outcomes, technology in the classroom, simulation and teaching, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, A20, A22,

Teaching Social Skills As A Component To Reduce Problem Behavior In A Preschool: A Clinical Case Study

This study examined the efficacy of behavioral skills training (BST) to teach appropriate requesting and a differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) paired with a timeout procedure to decrease problem behavior of a 4-year-old typically developing boy who attended a local Pre-kindergarten half-day program. The participant engaged in problem behavior in the form of aggression, property destruction, and taking materials from peers. The BST program consisted of instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback to increase appropriate requesting of materials and attention. The DRA procedure was implemented and combined with a 1-min timeout procedure. A fixed interval (FI) schedule was implemented. After a designated amount of time elapsed, the first occurrence of appropriate requesting resulted in receiving a sticker which was placed on a necklace, and worn by the participant. An increase in the frequency of appropriate requests was demonstrated following BST and maintained when the teachers‟ aide implemented the intervention. In addition, a decrease in the frequency of problem behavior was observed when and only when the intervention was in place. Moreover, problem behavior remained low when the teachers‟ aide implemented the intervention

Artistic Process Over Product: A Portrait of the High-Achieving High School Student

Using surveys, interviews, and student art work, this study explores the relationship between art curriculum and female students in a private, college preparatory environment. I worked with a fine and digital art course to determine if encouraging students to make more artistic choices would impact the educational priorities of these high-achieving students. Subsequently, art students were introduced to a process-based style of assessment in the hopes they could make stronger connections to art education and their future goals. The research results illustrated that, within the participants in this study, older art students prefer classes that bring them enjoyment or personal fulfillment, while the younger students gravitate toward classes that are less challenging

A Monocular SLAM Method to Estimate Relative Pose During Satellite Proximity Operations

Automated satellite proximity operations is an increasingly relevant area of mission operations for the US Air Force with potential to significantly enhance space situational awareness (SSA). Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is a computer vision method of constructing and updating a 3D map while keeping track of the location and orientation of the imaging agent inside the map. The main objective of this research effort is to design a monocular SLAM method customized for the space environment. The method developed in this research will be implemented in an indoor proximity operations simulation laboratory. A run-time analysis is performed, showing near real-time operation. The method is verified by comparing SLAM results to truth vertical rotation data from a CubeSat air bearing testbed. This work enables control and testing of simulated proximity operations hardware in a laboratory environment. Additionally, this research lays the foundation for autonomous satellite proximity operations with unknown targets and minimal additional size, weight, and power requirements, creating opportunities for numerous mission concepts not previously available

Tracking Plastid Gene Migration in \u3ci\u3eKarenia brevis\u3c/i\u3e

Karenia brevis is a marine dinoflagellate responsible for the harmful algal blooms (also known as red tides) in the Gulf of Mexico. K. brevis expresses antisense (AS) RNAs, each of which has a complementary region to the messenger RNA (mRNA) of a variety of genes. In dinoflagellates, many plastid (and mitochondrial) genes have migrated to the nuclear genome. It is unknown whether chloroplast genes, such as photosystem – D2, have migrated in K. brevis. It is also unknown where the gene that expresses the AS RNA for photosystem D2 resides. The protein-coding gene and the AS RNA-expressing gene could both reside in the chloroplast, both in the nucleus, or in some split combination between the two genomes. Primers designed from photosystem D2 ESTs were used in a series of RACE reactions to capture the unique regions of both photosystem – D2 AS RNA and mRNA. Gel imaging showed a distinct band for the unique 5’ end of the mRNA. Sequencing of this band will allow for the design of a probe to determine which genome houses the photosystem – D2 mRNA. This work can be furthered to compile known locations for both the mRNA and AS RNA of both chloroplast and mitochondrial genes of K. brevis