Determining the physical limits on semi‐active control performance: a tutorial

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106822/1/stc1602.pd

Model calculations of doubly closed shell nuclei in CBF theory III. j-j coupling and isospin dependence

Correlated Basis Function theory and Fermi Hypernetted Chain technique are extended to study medium-heavy, doubly closed shell nuclei in j-j coupling scheme, with different single particle wave functions for protons and neutrons and isospin dependent two-body correlations. Central semirealistic interactions are used. Ground state energies, one-body densities, distribution functions and momentum distributions are calculated for 12C, 16O, 40Ca, 48Ca and 208Pb nuclei. The values of the ground state energies provided by isospin dependent correlations are lower than those obtained with isospin independent correlations. In finite nuclear systems, the two--body Euler equations provide correlation functions variationally more effective than those obtained with the same technique in infinite nuclear matter.Comment: 29 Latex pages plus 6 Postscript figure

Short-range correlations in low-lying nuclear excited states

The electromagnetic transitions to various low-lying excited states of 16O, 48Ca and 208Pb are calculated within a model which considers the short-range correlations. In general the effects of the correlations are small and do not explain the required quenching to describe the data.Comment: 6 pages, 2 postscript figures, 1 tabl

Fractal assembly of micrometre-scale DNA origami arrays with arbitrary patterns

Self-assembled DNA nanostructures enable nanometre-precise patterning that can be used to create programmable molecular machines and arrays of functional materials. DNA origami is particularly versatile in this context because each DNA strand in the origami nanostructure occupies a unique position and can serve as a uniquely addressable pixel. However, the scale of such structures has been limited to about 0.05 square micrometres, hindering applications that demand a larger layout and integration with more conventional patterning methods. Hierarchical multistage assembly of simple sets of tiles can in principle overcome this limitation, but so far has not been sufficiently robust to enable successful implementation of larger structures using DNA origami tiles. Here we show that by using simple local assembly rules that are modified and applied recursively throughout a hierarchical, multistage assembly process, a small and constant set of unique DNA strands can be used to create DNA origami arrays of increasing size and with arbitrary patterns. We illustrate this method, which we term ‘fractal assembly’, by producing DNA origami arrays with sizes of up to 0.5 square micrometres and with up to 8,704 pixels, allowing us to render images such as the Mona Lisa and a rooster. We find that self-assembly of the tiles into arrays is unaffected by changes in surface patterns on the tiles, and that the yield of the fractal assembly process corresponds to about 0.95^(m − 1) for arrays containing m tiles. When used in conjunction with a software tool that we developed that converts an arbitrary pattern into DNA sequences and experimental protocols, our assembly method is readily accessible and will facilitate the construction of sophisticated materials and devices with sizes similar to that of a bacterium using DNA nanostructures

Ratings of age of acquisition of 299 words across 25 languages: Is there a cross-linguistic order of words?

We present a new set of subjective age-of-acquisition (AoA) ratings for 299 words (158 nouns, 141 verbs) in 25 languages from five language families (Afro-Asiatic: Semitic languages; Altaic: one Turkic language: Indo-European: Baltic, Celtic, Germanic, Hellenic, Slavic, and Romance languages; Niger-Congo: one Bantu language; Uralic: Finnic and Ugric languages). Adult native speakers reported the age at which they had learned each word. We present a comparison of the AoA ratings across all languages by contrasting them in pairs. This comparison shows a consistency in the orders of ratings across the 25 languages. The data were then analyzed (1) to ascertain how the demographic characteristics of the participants influenced AoA estimations and (2) to assess differences caused by the exact form of the target question (when did you learn vs. when do children learn this word); (3) to compare the ratings obtained in our study to those of previous studies; and (4) to assess the validity of our study by comparison with quasi-objective AoA norms derived from the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDI). All 299 words were judged as being acquired early (mostly before the age of 6 years). AoA ratings were associated with the raters’ social or language status, but not with the raters’ age or education. Parents reported words as being learned earlier, and bilinguals reported learning them later. Estimations of the age at which children learn the words revealed significantly lower ratings of AoA. Finally, comparisons with previous AoA and MB-CDI norms support the validity of the present estimations. Our AoA ratings are available for research or other purposes

Management of hydrocele in adolescent patients

Hydrocele is defined as an abnormal collection of serous fluid in the potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the tunica vaginalis. In the majority of affected adolescents, hydrocele is acquired and is idiopathic in origin. The pathogenesis of idiopathic hydrocele is thought to be an imbalance in the normal process of fluid production and reabsorption. The diagnosis is usually clinical. Taking a thorough history is essential to rule out any fluctuation in size, which is an indication of a patent processus vaginalis. Scrotal ultrasonography is mandatory in nonpalpable testicles to rule out a subtending testicular solid mass requiring inguinal exploration. Otherwise, open hydrocelectomy via a scrotal incision is the standard treatment of idiopathic hydroceles. The second most common cause of hydrocele in adolescents is varicocelectomy. The risk of hydrocele formation is higher with non-artery-sparing procedures or those performed without microsurgical aid, and in surgery requiring cord dissection. If hydrocele occurs after varicocelectomy, initial management should include observation with or without hydrocele aspiration. Large persistent hydroceles are best served by open hydrocelectomy

Programmable disorder in random DNA tilings

Scaling up the complexity and diversity of synthetic molecular structures will require strategies that exploit the inherent stochasticity of molecular systems in a controlled fashion. Here we demonstrate a framework for programming random DNA tilings and show how to control the properties of global patterns through simple, local rules. We constructed three general forms of planar network—random loops, mazes and trees—on the surface of self-assembled DNA origami arrays on the micrometre scale with nanometre resolution. Using simple molecular building blocks and robust experimental conditions, we demonstrate control of a wide range of properties of the random networks, including the branching rules, the growth directions, the proximity between adjacent networks and the size distribution. Much as combinatorial approaches for generating random one-dimensional chains of polymers have been used to revolutionize chemical synthesis and the selection of functional nucleic acids, our strategy extends these principles to random two-dimensional networks of molecules and creates new opportunities for fabricating more complex molecular devices that are organized by DNA nanostructures

Identifying the Professional and Technical Skills Agricultural Industry Employers Expect Agricultural Graduates to Possess

Through the lens of human capital theory, the Delphi technique was used to identify the most important professional and technical skills that agricultural industry employers expect graduates to possess upon entering the workforce. A panel of 23 agricultural industry experts provided the data for the Delphi study. At the conclusion of three rounds, a total of 52 items reached consensus, which included 18 technical skills (i.e. verbal communication skills, general knowledge of the agricultural industry, etc.) and 34 professional skills (i.e. flexible, accountable, relatable, etc.). It was concluded agricultural employers place a high value on many technical and professional skills that graduates should possess and this list should be used as a guide to evaluate current agricultural curriculum. It was recommended further research address how graduates are transferring these skills into the workplace.This article is published as Rinker, S. P., S. W. Smalley, and M. S. Hainline. "Identifying the professional and technical skills agricultural industry employers expect agricultural graduates to possess." NACTA Journal 65 (2020): 102-114. © 2020 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture. Posted with permission

Examining Students’ Experiences and Perceived Skill Attainment in an Agricultural Capstone Course

Utilizing a context-based model for teaching agriculture and qualitative research methodology, a survey of Iowa State University’s Ag 450 students was conducted over the course of two semesters regarding their competence and confidence of certain technical and professional skills expected by agricultural industry experts before and after completion of the Ag 450 capstone course. It was concluded the Ag 450 capstone course is improving student competence of technical skills and on average, students somewhat agreed they were confident regarding professional skills needed for the workplace. It is recommended that this study be replicated for more in-depth analysis and that a longitudinal study regarding how skills learned in the capstone course are being applied in the workforce be utilized as a way to further this research. Furthermore, this study may be replicated utilizing a broader range of skills or focused on the core competencies and outcomes of the course itself. Recommendations for further research and future practice were provided.This article is published as Rinker, S. P., M. S. Hainline, and S. W. Smalley. "Examining Students' Experiences and Perceived Skill Attainment in an Agricultural Capstone Course." NACTA Journal 64 (2019): 254-261. © 2019 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture. Posted with permission