The Influences of Sea-Surface Temperature Uncertainty on Cool-Season High-Shear, Low Cape Severe Weather Event Predictability in the Southeast United States

Environments conducive to severe weather and tornadoes occur throughout the southeastern United States, particularly during the cold-season. Throughout the cold-season, severe weather in this region predominantly occurs in environments characterized by high-shear, low-CAPE (HSLC). An important aspect to the production of severe weather in HSLC environments in the southeast United States is that air parcels that help contribute to the limited positive-buoyancy generation originate over areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, western Caribbean Sea, and western Atlantic Ocean. These relatively warm bodies of water, particularly outside of the cooler coastal shelf regions, allow the air parcels to warm and moisten via latent heat and surface sensible fluxes. It is hypothesized that the forecasts of cold-season severe weather in the southeastern United States are sensitive to the treatment of the underlying ocean surface, which influences the simulated representation of the surface heat exchange between the air and sea. We aimed to address and quantify these sensitivities by conducting numerical simulations for eight identified cold-season southeastern United States severe weather cases initialized using several different sea-surface temperature (SST) analyses. An ensemble of forecasts using varying atmospheric and SST analyses is also conducted for the case with the largest variability in forecast skill between SST initializations to quantify the contributions of initial atmospheric and SST uncertainty to subsequent forecast uncertainty. Neighborhood-based forecast verification techniques based off updraft helicity swaths are used to quantify these uncertainties

Complexities with Bridging the Digital Divide

In our work—Michelle as a technology integration specialist at a suburban high school in Massachusetts, and Spencer at a community college library in Illinois—we have seen the digital divide impact students, faculty, and staff in intersecting and distinct ways. We understand that the digital divide in our communities stems from and reinforces entrenched inequities, and so it is of paramount importance that we work to bridge these gaps. Our backgrounds in critical media, information, and digital literacies also alert us to the ways in which “bridging the digital divide” can lead to practices that may be coercive, overly expose users to surveillance technologies, and result in information overload for students and employees. As we reflect on evolving understandings of the digital divide and the complexities uncovered when working to bridge these gaps, we acknowledge our own privileges and opportunities to learn more about this vast and important topic

Underhull Material Transport Rig: Aircraft Carrier Maintenance Processes

The clearance under a ship in the Newport News Shipbuilding dry dock is approximately 62 inches. As a result, workers are either crouched or hunched over as they carry materials and equipment underneath the ship to their work zone. This can cause physical strain on workers’ bodies, leading to safety and health problems. This design project solves the problem by creating a transport system that uses a cart suspended from two trolleys that ride on a track attached to the bottom of the hull. A working prototype was built, demonstrated, and tested. This prototype cart maneuvered through a straight and a 90 degree curved section of rail. Scaffolding was built to simulate the bottom of the ship\u27s hull. The main constraints for this system included - setup time, ground clearance, and load capacity. The setup time could not exceed 8 hours, the lowest point of the system must be at least two feet off the ground, and it must be able to carry a load of 150 lbs, with a factor of safety of 2.5. The approach taken was to suspend the system from the bottom of the hull. Design decisions included the type of track or rail, the type of trolley, the cart design, the connection of the cart to the trolley, and cart stabilization methods. A successful prototype of this design was built and tested. The prototype meets all of the design specifications. Two improvements that could be made to the design include a way to move the cart without manually pushing it and a way to switch the cart between different tracks. This project impacts Newport News Shipbuilding by creating a safe and efficient way to transport materials while under the hull of a ship.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1127/thumbnail.jp

A nitric oxide synthase transgene ameliorates muscular dystrophy in mdx mice

Dystrophin-deficient muscles experience large reductions in expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which suggests that NO deficiency may influence the dystrophic pathology. Because NO can function as an antiinflammatory and cytoprotective molecule, we propose that the loss of NOS from dystrophic muscle exacerbates muscle inflammation and fiber damage by inflammatory cells. Analysis of transgenic mdx mice that were null mutants for dystrophin, but expressed normal levels of NO in muscle, showed that the normalization of NO production caused large reductions in macrophage concentrations in the mdx muscle. Expression of the NOS transgene in mdx muscle also prevented the majority of muscle membrane injury that is detectable in vivo, and resulted in large decreases in serum creatine kinase concentrations. Furthermore, our data show that mdx muscle macrophages are cytolytic at concentrations that occur in dystrophic, NOS-deficient muscle, but are not cytolytic at concentrations that occur in dystrophic mice that express the NOS transgene in muscle. Finally, our data show that antibody depletions of macrophages from mdx mice cause significant reductions in muscle membrane injury. Together, these findings indicate that macrophages promote injury of dystrophin-deficient muscle, and the loss of normal levels of NO production by dystrophic muscle exacerbates inflammation and membrane injury in muscular dystrophy

Development of a Stakeholder-driven Spatial Modeling Framework for Strategic Landscape Planning using Bayesian Networks across two Urban-Rural Gradients in Maine, USA

Land use change results from frequent, independent actions by decision-makers working in isolation, often with a focus on a single land use. In order to develop integrated land use policies that encourage sustainable outcomes, scientists and practitioners must understand the specific drivers of land use change across mixed land use types and ownerships, and must consider the combined influences of biophysical, economic, and social factors that affect land use decisions. In this analysis of two large watersheds covering a total of 1.9 million hectares in Maine, USA, we co-developed with groups of stakeholders land use suitability models that integrated four land uses: economic development, ecosystem protection, forestry, and agriculture. We elicited stakeholder knowledge to: (1) identify generalized drivers of land use change; (2) construct Bayesian network models of suitability for each of the four land uses based on site-level factors that affect land use decisions; and (3) identify thresholds of suitability for each factor and give relative weights to each factor. We then applied 12 distinct Bayesian models using 99 spatially explicit, empirical socio-economic and biophysical datasets to predict spatially the suitability for each of our four land uses on a 30 m × 30 m pixel basis across 1.9 million hectares. We evaluated both the stakeholder engagement process and the land use suitability maps. Results demonstrated the potential efficacy of these models for strategic land use planning, but also revealed that trade-offs occur when stakeholder knowledge is used to augment limited empirical data. First, stakeholder-derived Bayesian land use models can provide decision-makers with relevant insights about the factors affecting land use change. Unfortunately, these models are not easily validated for predictive purposes. Second, integrating stakeholders throughout different phases of the modeling process provides a flexible framework for developing localized or generalizable land use models depending on the scope of stakeholder knowledge and available empirical data. The potential downside is that this can lead to more complex models than anticipated. The trade-offs between model rigor and relevance suggest an adaptive management approach to modeling is needed to improve the integration of stakeholder knowledge into robust land use models

Sustainability science graduate students as boundary spanners

Graduate training in sustainability science (SS) focuses on interdisciplinary research, stakeholder-researcher partnerships, and creating solutions from knowledge. But becoming a sustainability scientist also requires specialized training that addresses the complex boundaries implicit in sustainability science approaches to solving social-ecological system challenges. Using boundary spanning as a framework, we use a case study of the Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) at the University of Maine to explicate key elements for graduate education training in SS. We used a mixed-methods approach, including a quantitative survey and autoethnographic reflection, to analyze our experiences as SSI doctoral students. Through this research, we identified four essential SS boundaries that build on core sustainability competencies which need to be addressed in SS graduate programs, including: disciplines within academia, students and their advisors, researchers and stakeholders, and place-based and generalizable research. We identified key elements of training necessary to help students understand and navigate these boundaries using core competencies. We then offer six best practice recommendations to provide a basis for a SS education framework. Our reflections are intended for academic leaders in SS who are training new scientists to solve complex sustainability challenges. Our experiences as a cohort of doctoral students with diverse academic and professional backgrounds provide a unique opportunity to reflect not only on the challenges of SS but also on the specific needs of students and programs striving to provide solutions

Adaptive Data-based Predictive Control for Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) Aircraft

Data-based Predictive Control is an emerging control method that stems from Model Predictive Control (MPC). MPC computes current control action based on a prediction of the system output a number of time steps into the future and is generally derived from a known model of the system. Data-based predictive control has the advantage of deriving predictive models and controller gains from input-output data. Thus, a controller can be designed from the outputs of complex simulation code or a physical system where no explicit model exists. If the output data happens to be corrupted by periodic disturbances, the designed controller will also have the built-in ability to reject these disturbances without the need to know them. When data-based predictive control is implemented online, it becomes a version of adaptive control. The characteristics of adaptive data-based predictive control are particularly appropriate for the control of nonlinear and time-varying systems, such as Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. STOL is a capability of interest to NASA because conceptual Cruise Efficient Short Take-off and Landing (CESTOL) transport aircraft offer the ability to reduce congestion in the terminal area by utilizing existing shorter runways at airports, as well as to lower community noise by flying steep approach and climb-out patterns that reduce the noise footprint of the aircraft. In this study, adaptive data-based predictive control is implemented as an integrated flight-propulsion controller for the outer-loop control of a CESTOL-type aircraft. Results show that the controller successfully tracks velocity while attempting to maintain a constant flight path angle, using longitudinal command, thrust and flap setting as the control inputs

Targeted mutagenesis in a human-parasitic nematode.

Parasitic nematodes infect over 1 billion people worldwide and cause some of the most common neglected tropical diseases. Despite their prevalence, our understanding of the biology of parasitic nematodes has been limited by the lack of tools for genetic intervention. In particular, it has not yet been possible to generate targeted gene disruptions and mutant phenotypes in any parasitic nematode. Here, we report the development of a method for introducing CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene disruptions in the human-parasitic threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis. We disrupted the S. stercoralis twitchin gene unc-22, resulting in nematodes with severe motility defects. Ss-unc-22 mutations were resolved by homology-directed repair when a repair template was provided. Omission of a repair template resulted in deletions at the target locus. Ss-unc-22 mutations were heritable; we passed Ss-unc-22 mutants through a host and successfully recovered mutant progeny. Using a similar approach, we also disrupted the unc-22 gene of the rat-parasitic nematode Strongyloides ratti. Our results demonstrate the applicability of CRISPR-Cas9 to parasitic nematodes, and thereby enable future studies of gene function in these medically relevant but previously genetically intractable parasites

La tecnocracia biomédica vestida de humanismo.La atención del parto institucional en el Chile contemporáneo.

La tesi presenta una anàlisi de l'atenció del part en institucions biomèdiques a Xile, en la segona dècada de segle XXI, quan al país s'estan implementant polítiques i programes per transitar des d'un model d'atenció tecnocràtic a un model humanístic. Mitjançant la revisió documental i l’aplicació d’entrevistes i qüestionaris a dones que havien parit en institucions biomèdiques del país, llevadores i obstetres, conclou que els canvis que s’han produït són més aviat superficials i no han permès paradigma d’atenció. Els principis del model tecnocràtic d’atenció del part -biologicisme, autoritarisme, enfoque de risc, visió inferior del femení, concepció patològica del procés de part, entre d’altres- continuen prevalent, però “vestits” d’humanisme. Per tant, sota una aparent major possibilitat per a les dones de triar i exercir "autonomia" en la presa de decisions sobre el part, es mantenen vius els imaginaris que perpetuen la seva posició subordinada. A més, les dones poden llegir el fracàs en la protecció dels seus drets durant el part en termes de responsabilitat personal i fins i tot de culpa.La tesis presenta un análisis de la atención del parto en instituciones biomédicas en Chile, en la segunda década del siglo XXI, cuando en el país se están implementando políticas y programas para transitar desde un modelo de atención tecnocrático a uno humanista. A través de la revisión documental, y de la realización de entrevistas y cuestionarios con mujeres cuyos partos ocurrieron en instituciones biomédicas del país, matronas(es) y médicos obstetras, concluyo que los cambios que se han producido en el sistema de atención son más bien superficiales y no han permeado el paradigma de atención. Los principios del modelo tecnocrático de atención del parto -biologicismo, autoritarismo, enfoque de riesgo, visión inferior de lo femenino, concepción patológica del proceso de parto, entre otros- siguen vigentes, pero “vistiéndose” de humanismo. Así, bajo una aparente mayor posibilidad de que las mujeres elijan y ejerzan “autonomía” en la toma de decisiones sobre el parto, se mantienen vivos los imaginarios que perpetúan su posición subordinada. Además, las mujeres pueden interpretar la falta de protección de sus derechos durante el parto en términos de responsabilidad personal e incluso de culpa.The dissertation presents an analysis of childbirth care in biomedical institutions in Chile, during the second decade of the 21st century, when policies and programs to transit from a technocratic to a humanistic model of care are being implemented. Through document review, and the application of interviews and questionnaires to women who had given birth in biomedical institutions within the country, midwives and obstetricians, I conclude that the changes that have occurred are rather superficial and have not permeated the paradigm of care. The principles of the technocratic model of childbirth -biologicism, authoritarianism, risk approach, inferior vision of the feminine, pathological conception of the birthing process, among others- continue to prevail, but “dressed” in humanism. Thus, under an apparent greater possibility for women to choose and to exercise “autonomy” in decision-making regarding childbirth, the imaginaries that perpetuate their subordinate position are kept alive. Furthermore, women can read the failure to protect their rights during childbirth in terms of personal responsibility and even guil