The CSM testbed software system: A development environment for structural analysis methods on the NAS CRAY-2

The Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) Activity at Langley Research Center is developing methods for structural analysis on modern computers. To facilitate that research effort, an applications development environment has been constructed to insulate the researcher from the many computer operating systems of a widely distributed computer network. The CSM Testbed development system was ported to the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulator (NAS) Cray-2, at the Ames Research Center, to provide a high end computational capability. This paper describes the implementation experiences, the resulting capability, and the future directions for the Testbed on supercomputers

Yeast Biotechnology 2.0

Yeasts are truly fascinating microorganisms. Due to their diverse and dynamic activities, they have been used for the production of many interesting products, such as beer, wine, bread, biofuels, and biopharmaceuticals. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewers’ or bakers’ yeast) is the yeast species that is surely the most exploited by humans. Saccharomyces is a top-choice organism for industrial applications, although its use for producing beer dates back to at least the 6th millennium BC. Bakers’ yeast has been a cornerstone of modern biotechnology, enabling the development of efficient production processes. Today, diverse yeast species are explored for industrial applications. This Special Issue “Yeast Biotechnology 2.0” is a continuation of the first Special Issue, “Yeast Biotechnology” (https://www.mdpi.com/books/pdfview/book/324). It compiles the current state-of-the-art of research and technology in the area of “yeast biotechnology” and highlights prominent current research directions in the fields of yeast synthetic biology and strain engineering, new developments in efficient biomolecule production, fermented beverages (beer, wine, and honey fermentation), and yeast nanobiotechnology.

An in situ instrument for planar O2 optode measurements at benthic interfaces

A new in situ instrument for two‐dimensional mapping of oxygen in coastal sediments is presented. The measuring principle is described, and potential mechanical disturbances, solute and particle smearing associated with the measurements, and calibration routines are evaluated. The first in situ measurements obtained in two different benthic communities are presented. In a shallow photosynthetic sediment (1 m of water depth), an extensive horizontal and temporal variation in the O2 distribution caused by benthic photosynthesis and irrigating fauna was resolved. Repetitive planar optode measurements performed along a transect in central Øresund, Denmark (17 m of water depth) revealed a positive correlation between the apparent O2 penetration depths (OP) measured with a lateral distance <5.0 mm, whereas OP measured with a larger horizontal distance (up to 50 m) were not correlated. Consequently, the OP varied in patches with a characteristic size of 5.0 mm. The instrument described is a powerful new tool for in situ characterization of spatiotemporal variations in O2 distributions within benthic communities. The instrument can be adapted for use at full ocean depths, e.g., on deep‐sea landers or remote operating vehicles

Community seed banks: concept and practice. Facilitator handbook (updated version)

Over three decades, a number of international and national organizations have provided technical and financial support to community seed banks around the world. Only a few of these organizations have developed and published a practical guide about how they have offered this support. This handbook, first published in 2017, fills the gap and advances research and capacity development regarding community seed banks. The handbook is organized as a guide for facilitators — people who work in the field with farmers and their organizations on issues of seed conservation and sustainable use. The publication Community seed banks: origins, evolution, and prospects edited by Ronnie Vernooy, Pitambar Shrestha, and Bhuwon Sthapit (Vernooy et al. 2015), which offers a global overview of diverse community seed banks around the world, provided the foundation for the content of this handbook. Parts of that publication have been updated and integrated into the handbook. Due to strong demand for printed copies, this updated version, with minor modifications and updated URLs, was prepared for reprint in 2020. We look forward to hearing how it is used, and we count on your feedback to continue improving its content and structure. Contact [email protected] for a printed copy. This handbook has three companion booklets for farmers (Vernooy et al. 2020; How to develop and manage your own community seed bank: Farmers’ handbook (updated versions); see: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/92000; http://hdl.handle.net/10568/92001; and http://hdl.handle.net/10568/92002

Resource box for resilient seed systems: handbook

The resource box for resilient seed systems, developed by a multidisciplinary team of Bioversity International researchers, is a tool that supports research and capacity building on resilient seed systems in the context of adaptation to climate change. The eight modules of the box represent eight steps of a participatory research cycle from situational analysis to knowledge sharing and communication. The handbook complements the online version which can be found at: http://www.seedsresourcebox.org The Resilient Seed Systems Handbook Second Edition, published in 2019, includes a new module on seed production and distribution and incorporates several of more recent useful ideas, examples of good practices and the latest references. See https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73256 Vernooy, R.; Bessette, G.; Otieno, G. (eds.) (2019) Resilient seed systems: handbook. Second edition. Rome (Italy): Bioversity International, 158 p. ISBN: 978-92-9255-138-

Resilient seed systems for climate change adaptation and sustainable livelihoods in the East Africa subregion. Report of the consultative workshop, 5-8 March 2019, Entebbe, Uganda

This report presents the main results of the consultative start-up workshop for the ‘Resilient seed systems in East Africa’ initiative which aims to combine and scale from the local to the global level, successful strategies, methods and tools that increase the timely availability, affordability and improved access by women and men farmers and their communities, to good-quality seed of a portfolio of crops and crop varieties, including novel crops and varieties that are better adapted to current and predicted future climate conditions

Constructing a Partnership with the Community: Distance Education

The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa has made a commitment to establish and maintain partnerships with its Iowa Communications Network (ICN) based learning communities and with the institutions of higher education throughout the state that facilitate the delivery of experiential learning to students. In January 1997; graduate student enrollment doubled when the department began offering programs in Communication Education and Public Relations over the ICN. The program has moved from a top-down pedagogical model to the creation of a partnership with its learning community. Students in the ICN Communication Education program must successfully complete a non-credit teaching practicum at a university/college/community college to fulfill one of the necessary requirements for licensure in the state of Iowa. Preliminary evaluations have indicated that the department has been effective in its efforts. (Appendixes contain a list of courses in the Communication Education program and the Public Relations program; and graduate teaching practicum evaluation forms for the graduate student; the observer/supervisor; and for the student assessment of the practicum supervisor.) (RS

The roles of community seed banks in climate change adaption

Although community level seed-saving initiatives have been around for about 30 years, until recently they have received little attention in the scientific literature on climate change adaptation and plant genetic resources. Based on research experiences from various countries, this article argues that community seed banks can enhance the resilience of farmers, in particular of communities and households most affected by climate change. Community seed banks can secure improved access to, and availability of, diverse, locally adapted crops and varieties, and enhance related indigenous knowledge and skills in plant management, including seed selection, treatment, storage, multiplication, and distribution

Waste management options for United States refineries

A standard refinery model was developed from industrial studies. This model was then used to generate waste streams normal to such processes. The current literature was reviewed to determine what waste management options were available. These options were then analysed to determine economic viability.Environmental Engineerin