Thermal Processing and Mechanical Properties of Beta Phase Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications

The past few decades have seen an increase in the use of beta titanium alloys as structural biomaterials. Their combination of excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, along with a lower Young’s modulus than stainless steel, cobalt-chromium and commercially pure titanium make the beta titanium alloys ideal biomaterials. This work evaluates the use of three beta titanium alloys for biomedical applications. Three beta titanium alloys, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti SP-700 and Ti Beta-C, underwent thermal processing to optimize mechanical properties. The alloys were subjected to tensile testing, hardness testing, fatigue testing, optical microscopy and SEM fracture analysis in order to determine the best processing conditions for biomedical alloys. In order to understand the effects of the thermal processing, the grain structures of the beta titanium alloys were examined. The fracture surfaces of the alloys were examined to understand the fracture and failure mechanisms involved. Thermal processing yielded good properties (998 MPa and 23% elongation) in the Ti 15-3-3-3 alloy aged at 550 ºC. The annealed condition of the Ti SP-700 produced good mechanical properties for biomedical applications (1031 MPa and 27% elongation). Titanium Beta-C aged at 455 ºC yielded good mechanical properties (964 MPa and 23% elongation). However, the Ti Beta-C alloy’s mechanical properties can be improved upon still by implementing a duplex aging process. All three alloys fractured in a ductile manner, which is desired for structural alloys. All three alloys, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti SP-700 and Ti Beta-c, can be processed to have good mechanical properties for biomedical applications, a combination of high strength (1000 MPa) and ductility (15% elongation)

Concert recording 2021-11-07a

[Track 1]. La maniere de Shumann /Jean-Michel Defaye -- [Track 2]. Sang till lotta / Jan Sandstrom -- [Track 3]. Concertino in B♭ / Ernst Sachse -- [Track 4]. Nearer my God to thee for 9 celli / James Stevens -- [Track 5]. Ave Maria / Franz Biebl -- [Track 6]. Soundtrack for trombone / Brian Sadler

DataMoves:Entangling data and movement to support computer science education

In the domain of computing education for children, much work has been done to devise creative and engaging methods of teaching about programming. However, there are many other fundamental aspects of computing that have so far received relatively less attention. This work explores how the topics of number systems and data representation can be taught in a way that piques curiosity and captures learners’ imaginations. Specifically, we present the design of two interactive physical computing artefacts, which we collectively call DataMoves, that enable students, 12-14 years old, to explore number systems and data through embodied movement and dance. Our evaluation of DataMoves, used in tandem with other pedagogical methods, demonstrates that the form of embodied, exploration-based learning adopted has much potential for deepening students’ understandings of computing topics, as well as for shaping positive perceptions of topics that are traditionally considered boring and dull

Emerging uses of patient generated health data in clinical research

Recent advancements in consumer directed personal computing technology have led to the generation of biomedically-relevant data streams with potential health applications. This has catalyzed international interest in Patient Generated Health Data (PGHD), defined as "health-related data - including health history, symptoms, biometric data, treatment history, lifestyle choices, and other information-created, recorded, gathered, or inferred by or from patients or their designees (i.e. care partners or those who assist them) to help address a health concern."(Shapiro et al., 2012) PGHD offers several opportunities to improve the efficiency and output of clinical trials, particularly within oncology. These range from using PGHD to understand mechanisms of action of therapeutic strategies, to understanding and predicting treatment-related toxicity, to designing interventions to improve adherence and clinical outcomes. To facilitate the optimal use of PGHD, methodological research around considerations related to feasibility, validation, measure selection, and modeling of PGHD streams is needed. With successful integration, PGHD can catalyze the application of "big data" to cancer clinical research, creating both "n of 1" and population-level observations, and generating new insights into the nature of health and disease

Concert recording 2022-10-12

[Track 1]. Sonata for four trombones / Georg Daniel Speer -- [Track 2]. Scarborough fair / traditional ; arr. Bill Reichenbach -- [Track 3]. Quartet for trombones / Leslie Bassett -- [Track 4]. You made me love you / James Monaco ; arr. Bill Holcombe -- [Track 5]. Fanfare for 8 trombones / Michael P. Terry -- [Track 6]. Andante cantabile from Symphony no. 5, Mtv. II / Pyort IIlich Tchaikovsky ; arr. Nolan Miller -- [Track 7]. Rising tide / Jack Wilds

Concert recording 2022-10-12

[Track 1]. Sonata for four trombones / Georg Daniel Speer -- [Track 2]. Scarborough fair / traditional ; arr. Bill Reichenbach -- [Track 3]. Quartet for trombones / Leslie Bassett -- [Track 4]. You made me love you / James Monaco ; arr. Bill Holcombe -- [Track 5]. Fanfare for 8 trombones / Michael P. Terry -- [Track 6]. Andante cantabile from Symphony no. 5, Mtv. II / Pyort IIlich Tchaikovsky ; arr. Nolan Miller -- [Track 7]. Rising tide / Jack Wilds

Concert recording 2019-10-23

[Track 1]. Morgenmusik. I. Massig bewegt [Track 2]. II. Langsame viertel [Track 3]. III. Bewegt / Paul Hindemith -- [Track 4]. Joshua fit de Battle of Jericho / traditional, arranged by Chris Woods -- [Track 5]. Fantasy for trombone / Elizabeth Raum -- [Track 6]. Suite. I. Passepied [Track 7]. II. Arietta [Track 8]. III. March / Johann Adolphe Hesse, ed. William Glover -- [Track 9]. Suite for four trombones. I. Poco maestoso [Track 10]. II. Sarabanda [Track 11]. III. Alla marcia [Track 12]. IV. Spirituale [Track 13]. V. Finale alla fuga / Gordon Jacob -- [Track 14]. Concertino. II. Aria: Andante sostenuto [Track 15]. III. Finale: Allegro giocoso / Lars-Erik Larsson -- [Track 16]. Andante et allegro / Joseph Edouard Barat -- [Track 17]. Horizon of the Aten / Anthony Barfield -- [Track 18]. Round midnight / Thelonious Monk, arranged by Slide Hampton

Prevalence and spatial distribution of cranberry fruit rot pathogens in British Columbia, Canada and potential fungicides for fruit rot management

Twenty-eight cranberry farms in southwestern British Columbia were investigated for the prevalence and spatial distribution of fungal pathogens that contribute to fruit rot incidence. Farms were selected from six regions where most cranberry production is concentrated. Flowers, and green and ripe fruit (var. ‘Stevens’) samples, collected during two consecutive crop seasons, were analyzed for fruit rot pathogens. The most frequently isolated pathogens were identified as Allantophomopsis cytisporea, Botrytis cinerea, Coleophoma empetri, Colletotrichum fioriniae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusicoccum putrefaciens, Glomerella sp., Phomopsis vaccinii, Phyllosticta elongata, Phyllosticta vaccinii and Physalospora vaccinii. The pathogens Allantophomopsis cytisporea, Phyllosticta spp., and Physalospora vaccinii were found at high incidence. These pathogens were present in all cranberry growing regions, although their mean percentage incidence varied from farm-to-farm and region-to-region. Amongst the pathogens from three phenological stages of cranberry crop examined, ripe fruit had the highest percentage incidence of fruit rot pathogens compared to that of flowers or green fruit; thus, indicating their presence at the early stages of crop development. The efficacy to inhibit the mycelial growth and spore germination of the fruit rot pathogens by twenty six fungicides, belonging to nine different modes of actions, were evaluated in vitro. The copper-based fungicides and captan of group M, flutriafol, triforine, difenoconazole, prothioconazole and propiconazole of group 3, benzovindiflupyr of group 7, and fosetyl-Al of group 33 demonstrated a high degree of efficacy in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all fruit rot pathogens. The fungicides chlorothalonil of group M, fenbuconazole of group 3, pyrimethanil and cyprodinil of group 9, and fludioxonil of group 12 also demonstrated activity against most fruit rot pathogens. The copper-based fungicides, chlorothalonil, captan, flutriafol, triforine, difenoconazole, prothioconazole, propiconazole, benzovindiflupyr, and fosetyl-Al effectively prevented the spore germination of most fruit rot pathogens. This demonstrated activity of the fungicides towards cranberry fruit rot pathogens should be assessed for efficacy in planta under field conditions. The current study identified the most critical fungal pathogens causing fruit rot of cranberry in British Columbia and potential fungicides that could be used in the management of fruit rot and to improve fruit quality and yield

A New Insight of Phycoremdiation Study: Using Filamentous Algae for the Treatment of Tertiary Municipal Wastewater

This book chapter demonstrated that the filamentous algae could be used as a promising phycoremediation approach to purify municipal tertiary wastewater. Initial screening of 25 algae strains across multiple genera revealed that Spirogyra sp. and Klebsormidium sp. were suitable to treat the tertiary effluent from a modern wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and their co-culture was validated in three consecutive outdoor pilot tests. In the first two pilot tests, the nutrient concentrations of phosphorous and ammonium were depleted close to zero within 24 hours, whereas the pH value increased from 7 to 9 in the wastewater. Therefore, CO2 was added for pH control in the 3rd batch, but the nutrient removal efficacy indicated that fresh algae inoculum was critical to maintain treatment efficiency. The biomass accumulated notable amounts of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Al, and heavy metals from the effluent, while the algae production increased by two to three times over 7 days with an average algae biomass productivity of 1.68 g m2 d−1. The derived biomass can be used for biogas production and biofertilizer applications based on the biochemical constituent. Given a great potential for further optimization and improvement, we provide a new insight to use phycoremediation approach to facilitate the green transition of wastewater treatment plants