Severe Warp Development in Young-Growth Ponderosa Pine Studs

Anatomical and physical characteristics of severely warped, young-growth, ponderosa pine studs, dried by two different methods, were analyzed with respect to bow, crook, and twist. Statistical analysis revealed that: (1) drying method had no effect on the relationship between warp and the wood characteristics studied; and (2) a large portion of the variation in warp could not be explained by any of the measured factors. Of the characteristics analyzed, the presence of the pith appeared to have the greatest effect on warp severity. Contrary to expectation, little compression wood was found and was consequently of minor importance in the development of severe warp. Although studs with a layer of heartwood along one face were prone to severe crook, there was no apparent relationship between warp and the percentage of heartwood in a stud. Other factors such as density, knots, and grain angle could not be identified as major factors in the development of severe warp

Deciphering Psychological-Physiological Mappings While Driving and Performing a Secondary Memory Task

An autonomic space model of sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on the heart has been proposed as a method of deciphering psychological-physiological mappings for driving-related tasks. In the current study, we explore the utility of the autonomic space model for deciphering mappings in a driving simulation environment by comparing a single-task driving-only condition to two dual-task, driving-with-a-secondary-workingmemory task conditions. Although limited by a small sample size, the results illustrate the advantages physiological measures can have over performance measures for detecting changes in the psychological process required for drivingrelated task performance. Future research will include a repetition of this same study with more subjects as well the collection of on-the-road autonomic nervous system data

The 2015 Fillmore Earthquake Swarm and Possible Crustal Deformation Mechanisms near the Bottom of the Eastern Ventura Basin, California

The 2015 Fillmore swarm occurred about 6 km west of the city of Fillmore in Ventura, California, and was located beneath the eastern part of the actively subsiding Ventura basin at depths from 11.8 to 13.8 km, similar to two previous swarms in the area. Template‐matching event detection showed that it started on 5 July 2015 at 2:21 UTC with an M ∼1.0 earthquake. The swarm exhibited unusual episodic spatial and temporal migrations and unusual diversity in the nodal planes of the focal mechanisms as compared to the simple hypocenter‐defined plane. It was also noteworthy because it consisted of >1400 events of M ≥ 0.0, with M 2.8 being the largest event. We suggest that fluids released by metamorphic dehydration processes, migration of fluids along a detachment zone, and cascading asperity failures caused this prolific earthquake swarm, but other mechanisms (such as simple mainshock–aftershock stress triggering or a regional aseismic creep event) are less likely. Dilatant strengthening may be a mechanism that causes the temporal decay of the swarm as pore‐pressure drop increased the effective normal stress, and counteracted the instability driving the swarm

Effects of Grazing Management on Selected Stream Bank Characteristics and Stream Bank Erosion

Six 30-acre cool-season grass pastures, containing predominantly smooth bromegrass and bisected by a 642- foot stream segment were grouped into two blocks and assigned one of three treatments: continuous stocking - unrestricted stream access (CSU), continuous stocking - restricted stream access (CSR), and rotational stocking (RS). Stream bank condition and surface roughness and stream morphology were evaluated pre-, mid-, and postgrazing over a two-year period. Stream bank erosion was monitored monthly from May through November over the same two-year period. Stream banks in CSU pastures had greater vegetative cover, stability, and condition scores than did the CSR or RS pastures, implying that the stream banks in pastures in which cattle had unlimited access were more susceptible to erosion than stream banks in pastures in which cattle access to stream banks was restricted or controlled. However, no effect of grazing management on net stream bank erosion was observed for either grazing season

Impacts of Beef Cattle–Grazing Systems on Cattle Distribution and Streambank Erosion

Many of Iowa’s surface waters contain high sediment and phosphorus(P) concentrations. It is recognized that overgrazing along pasture streams may result in soil erosion and manure deposition that contribute to P loading of pasture streams. Little research has evaluated the effects of grazing management on sediment and P loading of pasture streams in the Midwest, but grazing management is still generally considered to limit sediment and P loading of pasture streams. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of beef cattle– grazing systems on the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of cattle, the resulting impacts on selected pasture characteristics, and streambank erosion from pasture streams

Meeting Faculty Development Needs via Inclusive Processes in a Newly Established College of Pharmacy

Objectives: Professional faculty development is essential in establishing the skills necessary to become both leaders in education and research. Changes were necessary for our College in this area. This study describes the development of a comprehensive faculty development program that is in compliance with the new ACPE Standards 2016. Methods: In fall 2013, the College reappointed a new chair of the faculty development committee (FDC). A needs assessment survey was created and circulated amongst the faculty members requesting prioritization of several key focus areas and measureable ACPE standard outcomes that were lacking and required immediate attention. Results: The FDC has updated and solidified many fundamental College policies and procedures surrounding the academic plan, performance appraisals and contract renewal processes. A peer evaluation procedure and tool were created to provide non –punitive feedback to faculty in an attempt to identify strengths and weaknesses. For new hires, a faculty orientation program was created for chairs and a mentoring plan was developed to identify and address obstacles in challenges early in their role. Over fifteen workshops were also offered to assist in personal and professional development within the last 18 months. Administration is currently devising a plan to alleviate teaching loads to allow faculty additional time to pursue scholarship. Faculty perception of the FDC effectiveness improved from 37.7% to 97% based on AACP/ACPE survey results. Implications: It is essential to the growth of any institution to make a concerted effort to incorporate inclusive processes amongst faculty for successful decision making strategies

The 2015 Fillmore Earthquake Swarm and Possible Crustal Deformation Mechanisms near the Bottom of the Eastern Ventura Basin, California

The 2015 Fillmore swarm occurred about 6 km west of the city of Fillmore in Ventura, California, and was located beneath the eastern part of the actively subsiding Ventura basin at depths from 11.8 to 13.8 km, similar to two previous swarms in the area. Template‐matching event detection showed that it started on 5 July 2015 at 2:21 UTC with an M ∼1.0 earthquake. The swarm exhibited unusual episodic spatial and temporal migrations and unusual diversity in the nodal planes of the focal mechanisms as compared to the simple hypocenter‐defined plane. It was also noteworthy because it consisted of >1400 events of M ≥ 0.0, with M 2.8 being the largest event. We suggest that fluids released by metamorphic dehydration processes, migration of fluids along a detachment zone, and cascading asperity failures caused this prolific earthquake swarm, but other mechanisms (such as simple mainshock–aftershock stress triggering or a regional aseismic creep event) are less likely. Dilatant strengthening may be a mechanism that causes the temporal decay of the swarm as pore‐pressure drop increased the effective normal stress, and counteracted the instability driving the swarm

Fluorescence characterization of clinically-important bacteria

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI/HAI) represent a substantial threat to patient health during hospitalization and incur billions of dollars additional cost for subsequent treatment. One promising method for the detection of bacterial contamination in a clinical setting before an HAI outbreak occurs is to exploit native fluorescence of cellular molecules for a hand-held, rapid-sweep surveillance instrument. Previous studies have shown fluorescence-based detection to be sensitive and effective for food-borne and environmental microorganisms, and even to be able to distinguish between cell types, but this powerful technique has not yet been deployed on the macroscale for the primary surveillance of contamination in healthcare facilities to prevent HAI. Here we report experimental data for the specification and design of such a fluorescence-based detection instrument. We have characterized the complete fluorescence response of eleven clinically-relevant bacteria by generating excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) over broad wavelength ranges. Furthermore, a number of surfaces and items of equipment commonly present on a ward, and potentially responsible for pathogen transfer, have been analyzed for potential issues of background fluorescence masking the signal from contaminant bacteria. These include bedside handrails, nurse call button, blood pressure cuff and ward computer keyboard, as well as disinfectant cleaning products and microfiber cloth. All examined bacterial strains exhibited a distinctive double-peak fluorescence feature associated with tryptophan with no other cellular fluorophore detected. Thus, this fluorescence survey found that an emission peak of 340nm, from an excitation source at 280nm, was the cellular fluorescence signal to target for detection of bacterial contamination. The majority of materials analysed offer a spectral window through which bacterial contamination could indeed be detected. A few instances were found of potential problems of background fluorescence masking that of bacteria, but in the case of the microfiber cleaning cloth, imaging techniques could morphologically distinguish between stray strands and bacterial contamination