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Abstract: A platform compatible with microtiter plates to parallelize environmental treatments to test the complex impacts of multiple stressors, including parameters relevant to climate change and point source pollutants is developed. This platform leverages (1) the high rate of purely diffusive gas transport in aerogels to produce well‐defined centimeter‐scale gas concentration gradients, (2) spatial light control, and (3) established automated liquid handling. The parallel gaseous, aqueous, and light control provided by the platform is compatible with multiparameter experiments across the life sciences. The platform is applied to measure biological effects in over 700 treatments in a five‐parameter full factorial study with the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Further, the CO2 response of multicellular organisms, Lemna gibba and Artemia salina under surfactant and nanomaterial stress are tested with the platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The spectral distribution of light influences microalgae productivity; however, development of photobioreactors has proceeded largely without regard to spectral optimization. Here, we use monochromatic light to quantify the joint influence of path length, culture density, light intensity, and wavelength on productivity and efficiency in Synechococcus elongatus. The productivity of green light was ∼4× that of red at the highest levels of culture density, depth, and light intensity. This performance is attributed to the combination of increased dilution and penetration of this weakly absorbed wavelength over a larger volume fraction of the reactor. In contrast, red light outperformed other wavelengths in low-density cultures with low light intensities. Low-density cultures also adapted more rapidly to reduce absorption of longer wavelengths, allowing for prolonged cultivation. Taken together, these results indicate that, particularly for artificially lit photobioreactors, wavelength needs to be included as a critical operational parameter to maintain optimal performance. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1160-1169. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for simulating multi-phase flow in porous media is presented. The approach is based on a control volume finite element mixed formulation and new force-balanced finite element pairs. The novelty of the method lies in (i) permitting both continuous and discontinuous description of pressure and saturation between elements; (ii) the use of arbitrarily high-order polynomial representation for pressure and velocity and (iii) the use of high-order flux-limited methods in space and time to avoid introducing non-physical oscillations while achieving high-order accuracy where and when possible. The model is initially validated for two-phase flow. Results are in good agreement with analytically obtained solutions and experimental results. The potential of this method is demonstrated by simulating flow in a realistic geometry composed of highly permeable meandering channels. © 2016 The Authors International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To explore adolescents' views and experiences of different treatments for Type 2 diabetes, in order to improve treatment concordance and consider how the current treatment pathway for adolescent Type 2 diabetes could be improved. Methods In-depth interviews were held with 12 adolescents who had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Adolescents were sampled from a UK cohort study. Data were analysed thematically. Results Interviewees struggled to maintain lifestyle changes. Insulin, metformin and liraglutide were described as effective but, in some cases, as resulting in side effects. Injected treatments were viewed less favourably than oral medications. Weight loss surgery was considered an acceptable treatment for obese adolescents who had tried other treatments for their diabetes. It was apparent that some adolescents had not been surprised by their diagnosis and did not fully appreciate the implications of having diabetes. It was also evident that some individuals had not told peers about their diagnosis due to fearing how they would react. Factors identified as improving treatment concordance included reminders and viewing treatment as effective and easy to take. Conclusions Adolescents want treatments that are effective, discrete, easy to take and do not make them different from their peers. As liraglutide was described as effective, and surgery viewed as acceptable in certain circumstances, greater consideration should be given to their potential role in treating adolescent Type 2 diabetes. Practitioners need to ensure that adolescents appreciate the implications of having diabetes and may want to address adolescents' concerns regarding how others view this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northeast trending Kapuskasing uplift transects the east-west belts of the central Superior Province over a distance of some 500 km. Granulite to upper amphibolite facies rocks of the uplift form three distinct geological-geophysical entities: from south to north, the Chapleau, Groundhog River, and Fraserdale-Moosonee blocks. Uplift of the granulites along a moderately northwest dipping crustal-scale thrust fault is attributed to an early Proterozoic compressional event. Major northeast-striking faults that bound the Kapuskasing zone on the west were examined by modelling of geophysical anomalies to determine dip and by geobarometry of garnet-orthopyroxene-plagioclase-quartz assemblages to determine vertical displacement. Granulites in the Kapuskasing zone have 7- to 9-kbar signatures whereas those in the Quetico belt to the west indicate metamorphic pressure of 4-6 kbar. Individual calibrations of the barometer yield consistent pressure differences of 2-3 kbar, suggesting 7-10 km of west-side-down movement on the faults. Modelling of gravity and aeromagnetic gradients indicates westerly dips of 60°-65°, with west-side-down offset of up to 14 km. These major normal faults probably formed as collapse structures in response to crustal thickening which occurred during the preceding compressional uplift stage. Differences in the configuration of individual blocks of the Kapuskasing zone can be related to variable fault slip and intersection angles between normal and reverse faults. Thus the Groundhog River and southern Fraserdale-Moosonee blocks are perched thrust tips analogous to the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Laramide uplift province, whereas the southern Chapleau block is a tilted slab with similar configuration to the Laramide Wind River Range. Pop-up geometry deduced for the northern Fraserdale-Moosonee block resembles the structure of the Laramide Uinta Mountains. A normal fault crosses the surface trace of the basal thrust fault between the Groundhog River and Fraserdale-Moosonee blocks and causes a 65-km 'gap' without granulites. This article contains supplementary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The education of the deaf and hard of hearing has been the aim and inspiration of many technological discoveries and developments. Since the early work of Alexander Graham Bell, a visionary in special education for the deaf, many relevant innovations have considerably improved the quality of life and the professional opportunities for deaf people of all ages, especially recent advances in cochlear implants. In this article, based on our experience at the Instituto Oral Modelo (IOM) in Buenos Aires, we explain how the digital technology of today has radically changed the education of the deaf and the expectations we may have in the digital era for the next generation of children with auditory deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]