Successful Boundary Management Strategies for Optimal Fit and Minimal Role Strain

This study investigated successful individual strategies for creating optimal fit and minimal role strain between work and non-work spheres through boundary work, specifically in regards to identification on the integration-segmentation continuum (Nippert-Eng, 2006). This research extends the work of Kreiner, Hollensbe, and Sheep (2009). Survey and interview with nine individuals identified as highly skilled in boundary work revealed eleven successful strategies and five key observations, many of which were interconnected. The vast majority of interviewees identified with the integration end of the continuum. Change in strategy over the life course was evident, but change in integration-segmentation preference identification over the life course varied

A Study of the Surface Properties of Additive Manufactured Inconel 718 After Laser Surface Treatment and CNC Grinding

This study investigated the surface properties of additive manufactured Inconel 718 produced through selective laser melting, and the effects of laser ablation and CNC grinding on the surface finish. The objectives were to investigate the effects of the various parameters of laser ablation and CNC grinding on the Inconel 718 surface. The parameters used for the laser experiments were pulse energy (4, 20, and 30 µJ), scanning speed (5, 10, and 15 mm/s), and hatch distance (10, 30, and 50 µm). For the grinding experiments, the wheel speed was kept constant at 20.3 m/sec, however, two different workpiece speed (8.6 and 14.7 m/min) and depths of cut (0.013 and 0.025 mm) were used. The average surface roughness of the samples were measured before and after the experiments, and the microstructure was also observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). It was observed that laser ablation reduced the surface roughness, but there were cracks on the surface as a result of oxidation that occurred during the process. On the other hand, the precision CNC grinding of the samples produced relatively better surface finish and also all the surface defects were eliminated

Control of Brain Development, Function and Behavior by the Microbiome

Animals share an intimate and life-long partnership with a myriad of resident microbial species, collectively referred to as the microbiota. Symbiotic microbes have been shown to regulate nutrition and metabolism and are critical for the development and function of the immune system. More recently, studies have suggested that gut bacteria can impact neurological outcomes—altering behavior and potentially affecting the onset and/or severity of nervous system disorders. In this review, we highlight emerging evidence that the microbiome extends its influence to the brain via various pathways connecting the gut to the central nervous system. While understanding and appreciation of a gut microbial impact on neurological function is nascent, unraveling gut-microbiome-brain connections holds the promise of transforming the neurosciences and revealing potentially novel etiologies for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders

Development of High Efficiency (14%) Solar Cell Array Module

High efficiency solar cells required for the low cost modules was developed. The production tooling for the manufacture of the cells and modules was designed. The tooling consisted of: (1) back contact soldering machine; (2) vacuum pickup; (3) antireflective coating tooling; and (4) test fixture

Development of high efficiency (14 percent) solar cell array module

Most effort was concentrated on development of procedures to provide large area (3 in. diameter) high efficiency (16.5 percent AM1, 28 C) P+NN+ solar cells. Intensive tests with 3 in. slices gave consistently lower efficiency (13.5 percent). The problems were identified as incomplete formation of and optimum back surface field (BSF), and interaction of the BSF process and the shallow P+ junction. The problem was shown not to be caused by reduced quality of silicon near the edges of the larger slices

Mental Disorders, Comorbidity, and Suicidal Behavior: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Mental disorders are among the strongest predictors of suicide attempts. However, little is known about which disorders are uniquely associated with suicidal behavior due to high levels of psychiatric comorbidity. We examined the unique associations between individual disorders and subsequent suicidal behavior (suicide ideation, plans, and attempts) using data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative household survey of 9,282 US adults. Results revealed that approximately 80% of suicide attempters in the US have a temporally prior mental disorder. Anxiety, mood, impulse-control, and substance disorders all significantly predict subsequent suicide attempts in bivariate analyses (odds ratios=2.7-6.7); however, these associations decrease substantially in multivariate analyses controlling for comorbidity (odds ratios=1.5-2.3) but remain statistically significant in most cases. Disaggregation of the observed effects reveals that depression predicts suicide ideation, but not suicide plans or attempts among those with ideation. Instead, disorders characterized by severe anxiety/agitation (e.g., PTSD) and poor impulse-control (e.g., conduct disorder, substance disorders) predict which suicide ideators go on to make a plan or attempt. These results advance understanding of the unique associations between mental disorders and different forms of suicidal behavior. Future research must further delineate the mechanisms through which people come to think about suicide and progress from suicidal thoughts to attempts.Psycholog

A web-based course assessment tool with direct mapping to student outcomes

The assessment of curriculum outcomes is an essential element for continuous academic improvement. However, the collection, aggregation and analysis of assessment data are notoriously complex and time-consuming processes. At the same time, only few developments of supporting electronic processes and tools for continuous academic program assessment and curriculum performance feedback have emerged. In this paper, we introduce a novel course assessment process supported by a Web based interface that articulates and streamlines the assessment data collection, performance evaluation and tracking of remedial recommendations. To close the assessment loop, the Web interface provides also a mechanism to follow up on the implementation of remedial recommendations and analyzes their associated reflective actions during the subsequent course assessment cycle. A guide to map assessment instruments to the course and overall program outcomes is advocated by the proposed tool to propagate the course assessment results towards higher educational objectives (e.g., student outcomes) in a dashboard-like assessment interface. This approach streamlines improvements in education through reflecting the achievement of course outcomes on the achievement of higher educational objectives.In addition, the tool maps the course outcomes to the corresponding course outlines to facilitate the detection of areas where revisions in the instruction and content is needed, and to best respond to recommendations and remedial actions. We provide a methodical approach as well as a Web-based automation of the assessment process, which we evaluate in the context of our regular academic assessment cycles that have eventually led to a successful international accreditation experience. The collected assessment data shows a significant improvement in the achievement rate of the student outcomes after deploying the tool

Population Dynamics Model and Analysis for Bacteria Transformation and Conjugation

We present a two-species population model in a well-mixed environment where the dynamics involves, in addition to birth and death, changes due to environmental factors and inter-species interactions. The novel dynamical components are motivated by two common mechanisms for developing antibiotic resistance in bacteria: plasmid {\it transformation}, where external genetic material in the form of a plasmid is transferred inside a host cell; and {\it conjugation} by which one cell transfers genetic material to another by direct cell-to-cell contact. Through analytical and numerical methods, we identify the effects of transformation and conjugation individually. With transformation only, the two-species system will evolve towards one species' extinction, or a stable co-existence in the long-time limit. With conjugation only, we discover interesting oscillations for the system. Further, we quantify the combined effects of transformation and conjugation, and chart the regimes of stable co-existence, a result with ecological implications.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, J. Phys. Commun (2020

UV and X-ray Spectral Lines of FeXXIII Ion for Plasma Diagnostics

We have calculated X-ray and UV spectra of Be-like Fe (FeXXIII) ion in collisional-radiative model including all fine-structure transitions among the 2s^2, 2s2p, 2p^2, 2snl, and 2pnl levels where n=3 and 4, adopting data for the collision strengths by Zhang & Sampson (1992) and by Sampson, Goett, & Clark (1984). Some line intensity ratios can be used for the temperature diagnostics. We show 5 ratios in UV region and 9 ratios in X-ray region as a function of electron temperature and density at 0.3keV < T_e < 10keV and $n_e = 1 - 10^{25} cm^{-3}$. The effect of cascade in these line ratios and in the level population densities are discussed.Comment: LaTeX, 18 pages, 10 Postscript figures. To appear in Physica Script

I can see CRISPR now, even when phage are gone: a view on alternative CRISPR-Cas functions from the prokaryotic envelope

Purpose of review: CRISPR-Cas systems are prokaryotic immune systems against invading nucleic acids that adapt as new environmental threats arise. There are emerging examples of CRISPR-Cas functions in bacterial physiology beyond their role in adaptive immunity. This highlights the poorly understood, but potentially common, moonlighting functions of these abundant systems. We propose that these noncanonical CRISPR-Cas activities have evolved to respond to stresses at the cell envelope. Recent findings: Here, we discuss recent literature describing the impact of the extracellular environment on the regulation of CRISPR-Cas systems, and the influence of CRISPR-Cas activity on bacterial physiology. These described noncanonical CRISPR-Cas functions allow the bacterial cell to respond to the extracellular environment, primarily through changes in envelope physiology. Summary: This review discusses the expanding noncanonical functions of CRISPR-Cas systems, including their roles in virulence, focusing mainly on their relationship to the cell envelope. We first examine the effects of the extracellular environment on regulation of CRISPR-Cas components, and then discuss the impact of CRISPR-Cas systems on bacterial physiology, concentrating on their roles in influencing interactions with the environment including host organisms