Correlation of consumer assessment of longissimus dorsi beef palatability with image colour,marbling and surface texture features

A new study was conducted to apply computer vision methods successfully developed using trained sensory panel palatability data to new samples with consumer panel palatability data. The computer vision methodology utilized the traditional approach of using beef muscle colour, marbling and surface texture as palatability indicators. These features were linked to corresponding consumer panel palatability data with the traditional approach of partial least squares regression (PLSR). Best subsets were selected by genetic algorithms. Results indicate that accurate modelling of likeability with regression models was possible (r² = 0.86). Modelling of other important palatability attributes proved encouraging (tenderness r² = 0.76, juiciness r² = 0.69, flavour r² = 0.78). Therefore, the current study provides a basis for further expanding computer vision methodology to correlate with consumer panel palatability data.     

High-Temperature Vapor Phase Lubrication Using Carbonaceous Gases

Following the pioneering work of Prof. James Lauer, the ability to provide continuous solid lubrication through vapor phase delivery of carbonaceous gases has been successfully demonstrated on a pin-on-disk contact at the temperatures of 650 °C. Results from tribological experiments under 2 N normal load and 50 mm/s sliding speed showed an over 20× reduction in friction coefficient. The samples were silicon nitride (pin) versus CMSX-4 (disk) and the experiments when run in a nitrogen environment with acetylene admixtures. Two repeat experiments gave average friction coefficients of μ = 0.03 and μ = 0.02. The process was robust and provided low friction for the entire 500 m of sliding. Using focused ion-beam milling, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and confocal Raman spectroscopy, the resulting solid lubricant was found to be oriented microcrystalline graphite.     

Arsenite oxidation by a poorly crystalline manganese-oxide. 2. Results from X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

Arsenite (As(III)) oxidation by manganese oxides (Mn-oxides) serves to detoxify and, under many conditions, immobilize arsenic (As) by forming arsenate (As(V)). As(III) oxidation by Mn(IV)-oxides can be quite complex, involving many simultaneous forward reactions and subsequent back reactions. During As(III) oxidation by Mn-oxides, a reduction in oxidation rate is often observed, which is attributed to Mn-oxide surface passivation. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data show that Mn(II) sorption on a poorly crystalline hexagonal birnessite (δ-MnO?) is important in passivation early during reaction with As(III). Also, it appears that Mn(III) in the δ-MnO? structure is formed by conproportionation of sorbed Mn(II) and Mn(IV) in the mineral structure. The content of Mn(III) within the δ-MnO? structure appears to increase as the reaction proceeds. Binding of As(V) to δ-MnO? also changes as Mn(III) becomes more prominent in the δ-MnO ? structure. The data presented indicate that As(III) oxidation and As(V) sorption by poorly crystalline δ-MnO? is greatly affected by Mn oxidation state in the δ-MnO? structure.     

Peanut FAD2 Genotype and Growing Location Interactions Significantly Affect the Level of Oleic Acid in Seeds

The level of oleic acid is an important parameter in determining seed nutritional quality and oil stability. The level of oleic acid in peanut is genetically controlled by a pair of fatty acid desaturase genes (FAD2A and FAD2B), but the environmental conditions of the production sites can also have a significant effect. To investigate the effect of gene and environment interaction, 45 accessions were grown at three locations for 2 years. Environmental data were collected; individual plants were genotyped with functional SNP markers from FAD2A and FAD2B; and seed level of oleic acid was determined by gas chromatography. Three FAD2A/FAD2B genotypes (448G/no insertion 442A, 448A/no insertion 442A, and 448A/insertion 442A) were identified and designated as G/W, A/W, and A/A, respectively. A/A genotype averaged the highest level of oleic acid (80.0%), followed by A/W (56.0%), and then G/W (40.7%). Analysis of gene and environment interaction revealed that oleic acid phenotype plasticity could be explained by the interaction of FAD2 genotype and photothermal time, which quantified environmental conditions. The A/W genotype was the most sensitive to photothermal time changes. The oleic acid plasticity revealed in this study would be useful for breeders, farmers, and product processors.     

SnowedOut Atlanta: Examining digital emergence on facebook during a crisis

Individuals in emergencies form spontaneous, emergent groups to respond and recover. With the rise of social media use in crises, academics and professionals must be aware of how groups digitally coordinate emergent response efforts. This paper examines digital emergence through the case of SnowedOut Atlanta, a Facebook group formed during the 2014 ice storms in Atlanta. The posts and actions of the group members are in line with those of traditional emergent groups. For example, group members shared informational, material, and emotional support. The findings also provide implications for practitioners and insight into the communication of such groups. In particular, emergency managers have an opportunity to seek out and partner with these types of groups in future similar events.     

Rationally Designed Polypharmacology: α-Helix Mimetics as Dual Inhibitors of the Oncoproteins Mcl-1 and HDM2

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs), many of which are dominated by α-helical recognition domains, play key roles in many essential cellular processes, and the dysregulation of these interactions can cause detrimental effects. For instance, aberrant PPIs involving the Bcl-2 protein family can lead to several diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Interactions between Bcl-2 pro-life proteins, such as Mcl-1, and pro-death proteins, such as Bim, regulate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. p53, a tumor-suppressor protein, also has a pivotal role in apoptosis and is negatively regulated by its E3 ubiquitin ligase HDM2. Both Mcl-1 and HDM2 are upregulated in numerous cancers, and, interestingly, there is crosstalk between both protein pathways. Recently, synergy has been observed between Mcl-1 and HDM2 inhibitors. Towards the development of new anticancer drugs, we herein describe a polypharmacology approach for the dual inhibition of Mcl-1 and HDM2 by employing three densely functionalized isoxazoles, pyrazoles, and thiazoles as mimetics of key α-helical domains of their partner proteins.     

A lakewide survey of Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) distribution at warmwater discharges in Lake Michigan

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea is among the most prolific aquatic invaders in the world; but in colder mid-latitude areas, like the Laurentian Great Lakes, their population expansion has likely been limited by poor overwinter survival. In these areas, Asian clams are typically found in thermal refugia like warmwater discharges from industrial facilities. We sought to identify the current extent of Asian clam populations in Lake Michigan and waters immediately adjacent to it, specifically at locations most likely to harbor overwintering populations – industrial warmwater discharges. During April–May 2017, we surveyed 17 locations around Lake Michigan. Evidence of Asian clam populations was found at four sites, though live specimens (n?=?3) were only found at the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal in East Chicago, IN. Shells or fragments of shells were found at Green Bay, WI, Waukegan, IL, and Port Sheldon, MI. Our findings indicate that although Asian clams are present in Lake Michigan, they are relatively rare, and remain isolated to a few small pockets of over-wintering habitat.     

Artificial Channels in an Infectious Biofilm Created by Magnetic Nanoparticles Enhanced Bacterial Killing by Antibiotics

The poor penetrability of many biofilms contributes to the recalcitrance of infectious biofilms to antimicrobial treatment. Here, a new application for the use of magnetic nanoparticles in nanomedicine to create artificial channels in infectious biofilms to enhance antimicrobial penetration and bacterial killing is proposed. Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are exposed to magnetic‐iron‐oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs), while magnetically forcing MIONP movement through the biofilm. Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrates artificial channel digging perpendicular to the substratum surface. Artificial channel digging significantly (4–6‐fold) enhances biofilm penetration and bacterial killing efficacy by gentamicin in two S. aureus strains with and without the ability to produce extracellular polymeric substances. Herewith, this work provides a simple, new, and easy way to enhance the eradication of infectious biofilms using MIONPs combined with clinically applied antibiotic therapies.     

A review on measurement science needs for real-time control of additive manufacturing metal powder bed fusion processes

Additive manufacturing technologies are increasingly used in the development of new products. However, variations in part quality in terms of material properties, dimensional tolerances, surface roughness and defects limit its broader acceptance. Process control today based on heuristics and experimental data yields limited improvement in part quality. In an effort to identify the needed measurement science for real-time closed-loop control of additive manufacturing (AM) processes, this paper presents a literature review on the current AM control schemes, process measurements and modelling and simulation methods as it applies to the powder bed fusion process, though results from other processes are reviewed where applicable. We present our research findings to identify the correlations between process parameters, process signatures and product quality. We also present research recommendations on the key control issues to serve as a technical basis for standards development in this area. Complimentary details to this paper with summary tables, range of values, preliminary correlations and correlation figures can be accessed from a National Institute of Standards and Technology Report (http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2015/NIST.IR.8036.pdf). This paper is developed based on the report.