Technical Advisory Committee Research Articles

Compositional and Agronomic Evaluation of Sorghum Biomass as a Potential Feedstock for Renewable Fuels

One goal of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee was to replace 30% of current U.S. petroleum consumption with biofuels by 2030. This will take mixtures of various feedstocks; an annual biomass feedstock such as sorghum will play an important role in meeting this goal. Commercial forage sorghum samples collected from field trials grown in Bushland, TX in 2007 were evaluated for both agronomic and compositional traits. Biomass compositional analysis of the samples was performed at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, CO following NREL Laboratory Analytical Procedures. Depending on the specific cultivar, several additional years of yield data for this location were considered in establishing agronomic potential. Results confirm that sorghum forages can produce high biomass yields over multiple years and varied growing conditions. In addition, the composition of sorghum shows significant variation, as would be expected for most crops. Using theoretical estimates for ethanol production, the sorghum commercial forages examined in this study could produce an average of 6147 L ha{sup -1} of renewable fuels. Given its genetic variability, a known genomic sequence, a robust seed industry, and biomass composition, sorghum will be an important annual feedstock to meet the alternative fuel production goals legislatedmore » by the US Energy Security Act of 2007.« less

Editorial: TAMD Update

When you read this issue of the IEEE Transactions on Autonomous Mental Development (TAMD), the biggest annual event of our community, the flagship conference ICDL-EpiRob, will have just concluded. For the first time, the two most prominent conference series of the AMD community, the International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL) and the International Conference on Epigenetic Robotics (EpiRob), are holding a joint meeting to explore and extend the interdisciplinary boundaries of this field. The joint ICDL-EpiRob conference is being held August 24–27, 2011, in the new Science City Frankfurt-Riedberg, Frankfurt, Germany. It brings together a diverse group of researchers across the globe spanning computational, developmental, and brain sciences. The conference organizers include General Co-Chairs Angelo Cangelosi and Jochen Triesch and Program Co-Chairs Ian Fasel and Katharina Rohlfing. As always, the conference organizers will provide a report to be published in a forthcoming issue of TAMD. On June 22, 2011, IEEE TAMD underwent a rigorous "early review" before the IEEE Technical Activities Board (TAB) Periodical Review and Advisory Committee (PRAC). The primary intent of this "early review" of TAMD was to perform an initial checkup of the new periodical in its third year. I am happy to report that the PRAC was very positive about the development of TAMD. They wrote: "All indications are that things are on track in terms of quality and timeliness for this periodical." Overall, as noted in the EiC's editorial (volume 3, no. 1, March 2011), the development of this TRANSACTIONS is healthy and prosperous.

Building AIDS Research Capacity in Brazil

Building AIDS Research Capacity in Brazil

Public Reporting of Health Care–Associated Infections (HAIs): Approach to Choosing HAI Measures

To develop a method for selecting health care-associated infection (HAI) measures for public reporting. HAIs are common, serious, and costly adverse outcomes of medical care that affect 2 million people in the United States annually. Thirty-seven states have introduced or passed legislation requiring public reporting of HAI measures. State legislation varies widely regarding which HAIs to report, how the data are collected and reported, and public availability of results. The Maryland Health Care Commission developed an HAI Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that consisted of a group of experts in the field of healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention and control (IPC), and public health. This group reviewed public reporting systems in other states, surveyed Maryland hospitals to determine the current state of IPC programs, performed a literature review on HAI measures, and developed six criteria for ranking the measures: impact, improvability, inclusiveness, frequency, functionality, and feasibility. The committee and experts in the field then ranked each of 18 proposed HAI measures. A composite score was determined for each measure. Among outcome measures, the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections ranked highest, followed by the rate of post-coronary artery bypass grafting surgical-site infections. Among process measures, perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, compliance with central-line bundles, compliance with hand hygiene, and healthcare-worker influenza vaccination ranked highest. Our qualitative criteria facilitated consensus on the HAI TAC and provided a useful framework for public reporting of HAI measures. Validation will be important for such approaches to be supported by the scientific community.

Creating Refuges for the Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (DCIB). 2009. Shellfish gardening program. www.inlandbays.org/cib_pm/comments .php?id=33_0_31_0_C Delaware Inland Bays Estuary Program (DIBEP). 1993. Delaware Inland Bays Estuary Program characterization summary. Dover: DIBEP Science and Technical Advisory Committee. Messick, G. and J. Casey. 2004. Chapter 8.6. Status of blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, populations in the Maryland Coastal Bays. Pages 82–91 in Maryland’s Coastal Bays: Ecosystem health assessment. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Document No. DNR-12-1202-0009. Newell, R.I.E. 2004. Ecosystem influences of natural and cultivated populations of suspension-feeding bivalve mollusks: A review. Journal of Shellfish Research 23:51–61. O’Beirn, F.X., P.G. Ross and M.W. Luckenbach. 2004. Organisms associated with oysters cultured in floating systems in Virginia, USA. Journal of Shellfish Research 23:825–829. Osman, R.W. and R.B. Whitlatch. 1998. Processes controlling local and regional patterns of invertebrate colonization: Applications to the design of artificial oyster habitat. Pages 179–197 in M. Luckenbach, R. Mann and J.A. Wesson (eds), Oyster Reef Habitat Restoration: A Synopsis and Synthesis of Approaches. Gloucester Point VA: VIMS Press. Tolley, S.G. and A.K. Volety. 2005. The role of oysters in habitat use of oyster reefs by resident fishes and decapod crustaceans. Journal of Shellfish Research 24:1007–1012.

Special issue of the 8th International Workshop on High Aspect Ratio Micro Structure Technology, HARMST 2009

HARMST 2009 was held from June 25 to 28, 2009, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. This workshop continued a biennial tradition that began in 1995 in Karlsruhe, Germany, and travels around Europe, America, and Asia, successively held in Madison, WI, USA (1997), Chiba, Kisarazu, Japan (1999), Baden-Baden, Germany (2001), Monterey, CA, USA (2003), Gyeongju, Korea (2005), and Besancon, France (2007). This series has established itself as a premier, independent international event devoted to the advancement of high aspect ratio micro fabrication technologies and their applications. HARMST 2009 again brought together experts from academia and industry from various disciplines and regions who shared their latest results of investigations and developments. The technical program included sessions on a broad range of aspects of design, modeling, fabrication, metrology, testing, and applications in high aspect ratio microand nanotechnology. Particular focus was cast on X-ray and UV-lithography in thick resist layers, using various resist systems and including nonconventional processes, and subsequent electroforming and replication steps, as well as related simulation, modeling, and metrology techniques. Furthermore, selected advancements in DRIE, mechanical micromachining, and electro discharge micromachining relevant to high aspect ratio technologies were presented, as well as highlights of the integration of nanometer-scale structures, advanced materials, and functionalized surfaces. Applications were another focus of the workshop, from sensors and actuators to RF MEMS, MOEMS, fluidic microsystems, and bio-MEMS. The workshop also included a focus session on challenges and opportunities in micromechanics and microfluidics to discuss a cross section of aspects at the example of a few applications, including industrial needs, fabrication technology capabilities and restrictions, metrology, and testing. HARMST 2009 featured 74 poster and 39 oral presentations from 15 countries as well as 8 short course contributions. The HARMST workshops have been highly successful and continue their tradition not only in terms of presentation and discussion during the workshop, but also with respect to the timely dissemination of cutting edge technologies via the Journal of Microsystem Technologies. This Special Issue of Microsystem Technologies is collecting 53 finally accepted contributions as reviewed and unabridged versions of papers presented at the workshop, following the traditional cooperation between Springer and the HARMST Technical Advisory Committee. We hope that you will enjoy reading the HARMST contributions as much as we did.

An overview of the National Consultative Council of Immunization in Honduras

The State of Honduras instituted its technical advisory committee on immunization in response to recommendations made by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the National Extended Program of Immunization (EPI). On 9 October 1999, the “National Consultative Council of Immunization” (NCCI) was established to provide support and recommendations to the EPI program for the eradication, elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases. The seven permanent members of the Council are all paediatricians. Additionally, there are liaison members (from PAHO, the national EPI team, and others) who participate in NCCI meetings when required. Meetings take place three times per year. The high quality of Council recommendations is demonstrated by the fact that the health authorities have adopted all of them.

Informing decision makers: Experience and process of 15 National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups

This supplement of Vaccine contains detailed descriptions of the experiences and processes of 15 well-established National Immunization Technical Advisory Committees from all regions of the world. All of these committees provide information to national governments that is used to make evidence-based decisions regarding vaccine and immunization policy. Nevertheless, many differences between committees exist including their legal basis, size and scope of committee membership, scope of work, role of the Ministry of Health on the committee, existence of conflict of interest policies, and ultimate role in the decision-making process. Individual country authors identified numerous areas for improvement and these are summarized here.

Projeto SB Brasil 2010: elemento estratégico na construção de um modelo de vigilância em saúde bucal

O projeto comecou a ser pensado no âmbito do Comite Tecnico Assessor (CTA) em Vigilância em Saude Bucal do Ministerio da Saude desde abril de 2009. Foi submetido a consulta publica durante o mes de junho de 2009, resultando em uma participacao significativa de diversos setores em seu processo de construcao. Desde entao, foi formado um Grupo Gestor que, por intermedio de oito Centros Colaboradores localizados nas diversas regioes do pais, tem conduzido o projeto a partir de oficinas de trabalho nos estados e treinamento das equipes de campo.

A critical analysis of liver allograft utilization from the US deceased donor pool

A critical analysis of liver allograft utilization from the US deceased donor pool

A Proposed Mid-Holocene Age Definition for Hazardous Faults in California

ROY J. SHLEMONR. J. Shlemon & Assoc., Inc., P.O. Box 3066, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0620Key Terms: Hazardous Fault, Alquist-Priolo Act,Surface-Fault Rupture, Geologic Hazards, StructuralMitigation, CaliforniaABSTRACTA California Technical Advisory Committee is nowreviewing the relative hazard of potential surface-faultrupture for single-family structures. Passage of theAlquist-Priolo (AP) Act in 1972 initially defined anactive fault as one with surface or near-surface rupturewithin approximately the past 10 ka. This deterministicnumber evolved to ,11 ka (Pleistocene-Holoceneboundary) and now, locally, to ,13 ka when expressedin calibrated radiocarbon years. Based on lessonslearned since 1972 and on the recurrence consideredacceptable for mitigation of other geologic processes, thepotential for surface-fault rupture should stem fromscience and the professional judgment of qualifiedgeological practitioners. Ideally, no specific determinis-tic number should define a hazardous fault, which may bepractically mitigated based on professional judgment,cost, available technology, and societal constraints. Butthis concept is generally not presently acceptable tomany California geological consultants and regulators.More pragmatic, therefore, is changing the existingactive fault definition from ,11 ka to a mid-Holocene(,4-ka to 6-ka) range. This range is non-rigid andshould be periodically revised based on technologicaladvances in the geologic and engineering sciences. Theproposed ‘‘mid-Holocene’’ age recognizes uncertaintyand closes the gap between the present 11-ka active-faultcriterion and the ,100–500-year recurrence of othernatural hazards typically mitigated by engineeringdesign. Change in regulation does not come easily andmay be detrimental to the economic livelihood of somegeologists. Nevertheless, to sensibly ensure public health,safety, and welfare, we must learn from new science andexperience and then adjust accordingly.INTRODUCTIONThe California State Mining and Geology Board(SMGB) established a Geological Hazards Commit-tee and an associated Technical Advisory Committee(TAC) to review and recommend improvements formitigation of surface-fault rupture potentially affect-ing habitable structures. The TAC discussions havebeen extensive and sometimes volatile. They have,however, produced many ideas for improving inter-pretation and application of regulations stemmingfrom ‘‘lessons learned’’ since passage of the Alquist-Priolo (AP) Act in 1972, a legislative response to the1971 Sylmar (San Fernando) earthquake in LosAngeles (Reitherman and Leeds, 1991). Currentagency policies and interpretations for the AP includedefining an active fault as being Holocene in age,mitigation of surface-fault rupture solely by avoid-ance, and presumption of fault activity within 50 ft(,15 m) unless demonstrably proven otherwise(Bryant and Hart, 2007). In light of new technicaldata, the TAC will now likely recommend that theterm ‘‘active fault’’ be replaced by the terms‘‘hazardous’’ and ‘‘non-hazardous’’ faults, respective-ly. Although not yet definitive, this change recognizesthat geotechnical and structural design can realisti-cally mitigate non-hazardous faults (Bray, 2001),namely those with cumulative ground displacementsof less than ,10 cm vertically and ,30 cm horizon-tally over an ,300-cm distance. In contrast, ahazardous fault cannot be technically or economicallymitigated except by avoidance. In this sense, mitiga-tion implies adequate engineering design to precludecatastrophic failure and loss of life, rather thanprevention of any structural damage, a concept thatis likely not well understood by many homeowners.Ostensibly, the hazardous-fault setback width (bufferzone) will vary and is mainly dependent on site-specific and regional fault characteristics (style andrecurrence) and on inherent uncertainties in exposure,mapping, and surface projection.Still problematic is the age (time of last displace-ment) of a hazardous fault. Based on new technicaldata and on lessons learned since 1972, the presentHolocene (,11 ka) definition for hazardous surface-rupture is an artifact that needs updating, especiallywhen compared with the much greater risks to lifesafety stemming from catastrophic failures outsidefault rupture zones. These failures typically resultfrom high seismic accelerations and ground shaking

Challenges in Peer Review of Fault-Rupture Hazard Studies for Engineering Mitigation

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is currently re-evaluating policies for implementing the California Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act originally passed in 1972. A significant change under consideration would allow construction of habitable structures across the traces of minor faults where the age of last displacement cannot be determined. Special engineering mitigation designs would be required in lieu of a setback. Such policy changes, unaccompanied by specific guidelines for the investigation, identification, and evaluation of such faults, and for specific allowable mitigation measures would result in an untenable mix of approaches to the problem that would greatly complicate both the conduct and the review of fault-rupture hazard studies. Over time, this would likely result in a gradual erosion of the standards that exist today. A guidelines document similar to the guidelines for implementing SP 117 should be prepared to outline a workable approach to identifying minor faults suitable for engineering mitigation. The approach needs to be based on field characteristics readily evaluated in simple trench excavations logged at a reasonable scale and in reasonable detail. Guidelines need to consider the realities of the professional environment and how that environment differs from a research setting. If such a system is judged to be too simplistic to allow reasonable estimates of suitability for engineering mitigation, the TAC should consider maintaining the status quo.

Faulting and Public Policy in California: The Evolution of the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act

The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act of 1972, as amended, is a legislative child of the San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971. Over time, investigatory or design criteria, methods, guidelines, and restrictions are overtaken by improvements in scientific knowledge, exploration and design methods, and construction techniques. Many design professionals now think that the time has come to again review the investigation and design requirements developed under the Alquist-Priolo Act in light of current knowledge and capabilities, and their concerns led us to this conference. The Alquist-Priolo Act has been amended several times, and regulations developed under it have also evolved with the times. Currently, a Technical Advisory Committee to the State Mining and Geology Board9s Geohazards Committee is reviewing progress in fault assessment as well as the design philosophy inherent in the language of the Alquist-Priolo Act and the regulations promulgated pursuant to it. The intended effect of the Alquist-Priolo Act with regard to protecting public health, safety, and well-being is not by the language of the Act limited to life safety alone. The effectiveness of the Act should be measured by its effects in mitigating life safety threats, bodily harm, structural performance, and the societal costs of earthquakes.

A lower hybrid current drive system for ITER

A 20 MW/5 GHz lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) system was initially due to be commissioned and used for the second mission of ITER, i.e. the Q = 5 steady state target. Though not part of the currently planned procurement phase, it is now under consideration for an earlier delivery. In this paper, both physics and technology conceptual designs are reviewed. Furthermore, an appropriate work plan is also developed. This work plan for design, R&D, procurement and installation of a 20 MW LHCD system on ITER follows the ITER Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) T13-05 task instructions. It gives more details on the various scientific and technical implications of the system, without presuming on any work or procurement sharing amongst the possible ITER partnersb The LHCD system of ITER is not part of the initial cost sharing.. This document does not commit the Institutions or Domestic Agencies of the various authors in that respect.

Insecticide-Treated Nets, the Key Element for Rolling Back Malaria in North-Eastern India: Policy and Practice

For decades of attempted control using DDT indoor residual spraying and increased allocation of resources, malaria continues to deter the socio-economic development in the north-eastern states of India. Focal disease outbreaks are recurring and all death cases are ascribed to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. As an alternative strategy to DDT, vil- lage scale filed trials with insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) were conducted in malaria endemic pocket of Assam during 1988-1990 that were evaluated to be a success story by the Technical Advisory Committee of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme of Government of India. Based on the research findings, a pilot project was undertaken under centrally sponsored scheme to assess the operational feasibility and sustainability of this intervention through primary health care services in the northeast sector for which National Institute of Malaria Research of Indian Council of Medical Research served as the nodal agency for technology transfer. Under this scheme, one hundred thousand insecticide-treated nets were distributed gratis beginning1996 in communities living below poverty line that were identified by the respective state health directorate of seven states of the northeast. For reporting states of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh for which data were analyzed, the results were promising in reducing disease transmission, and public response was over- whelming. The communities clearly preferred ITNs against DDT spraying and reported collateral benefits for decreased nuisance due to other household insect pests. Since then provision of ITNs is a continuing activity including impregnation of community-owned nets. We provide data on technology transfer and transmission reduction, and issues related to chal- lenges and prospects for malaria control using ITNs as evidence-based intervention are discussed.

From Patchwork to National Network

Partnership and collaboration are hallmarks for the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (EPHT) Program. When CDC issued its first request for proposals for EPHT in August 2002, it required formal collaboration between state public health and environmental protection agencies. In addition, each of the grantees assembled a planning consortium or technical advisory committee to aid in the creation of the National EPHT together with local health agencies, community groups, industry, and healthcare professionals and other organizations. Partnerships have resulted in actions that protect and monitor public health; substantial the development and use of state and national tracking networks; and increase collaboration and information sharing.

Global Fusarium networking

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) caused by several species of Fusarium fungi continues to be a major wheat disease worldwide, causing direct grain yield losses and heath concerns due to mycotoxins. Although chemical intervention can reduce losses, replacing susceptible cultivars with resistant ones is the best recommended control strategy. CIMMYT has been working on FHB for more than 20 years. Progress has been obtained through the shuttle breeding program between CIMMYT and China, and a network of collaborations has been developed over years with advanced research institutes in USA, Japan, Europe, South America and Australia. Although new significant investments in basic and applied FHB research generated worldwide a wealth of knowledge on the pathogen(s) and genetics of resistance in recent years, sources of host resistance are limited and progress toward releasing new resistant varieties in farmers’ fields remains challenging. The concept of a Global Fusarium Initiative (GFI) was presented at the 2nd International Symposium on FHB in Orlando (2004) and a workshop was held in 2006 in Mexico to foster international collaboration. The need for a GFI facilitated by CIMMYT and informed by technical advisory committees was endorsed. CIMMYT’s assets in Mexico include the identification and selection for resistance in broadly adapted germplasm, phenotyping of mapping populations, and a unique platform for germplasm exchange and distribution. Most critical research needs and opportunities for collaborations consist of three areas: FHB-QTL research, study of the Fusarium pathogen and a joint international scab nursery consortium. Actions and decisions are needed to resource this ambitious project and make it sustainable.

Health Check program

As volunteer chair of the Health Check Technical Advisory Committee, I am very proud of the work done by the program to improve the Canadian food supply and guide consumers to products that can be part of a healthy overall diet — a diet that should obviously consist primarily of fresh, whole foods

Roadmap for bioenergy & biobased products in the US

Industrial BiotechnologyVol. 4, No. 1 Industry ReportRoadmap for bioenergy & biobased products in the USSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:13 Mar 2008https://doi.org/10.1089/ind.2008.067AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited bySupercritical fluids technology for clean biofuel productionProgress in Natural Science, Vol. 19, No. 3 Volume 4Issue 1Mar 2008 InformationCopyright 2008, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article: Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee .Roadmap for bioenergy & biobased products in the US.Industrial Biotechnology.Mar 2008.67-98.http://doi.org/10.1089/ind.2008.067Published in Volume: 4 Issue 1: March 13, 2008PDF download

Patterns of Hispanic Students' Math Skill Proficiency in the Early Elementary Grades

In this article, we describe patterns of Hispanic students' math skill development during elementary school using data from a nationally representative sample of Hispanic students assessed in math skills from kindergarten through 5th grade. Several robust patterns are evident. First, Hispanic students enter kindergarten with average math skills significantly lower than those of native-born, non-Hispanic White students, and similar to those of native-born non-Hispanic Black students. Second, Hispanic-White math proficiency gaps narrow from the start of kindergarten through 5th grade but do not disappear. Third, there is considerable variation in average math skills among Hispanic population subgroups, with recent immigrants and lower socioeconomic groups (Mexican and Central American students, particularly) exhibiting the lowest levels of math skill through elementary school. Fourth, a simple measure of family socioeconomic status accounts for most of the Hispanic–White gaps that remain by 5th grade. Fifth, Hispanic students with the least English exposure and proficiency in kindergarten have considerably lower math proficiency rates at the start of kindergarten than English-proficient Hispanic students and students from homes where English is spoken. However, students from non-English-speaking homes and students who are not proficient in spoken English at the start of kindergarten also exhibit more rapid gains in math skills during elementary school than do English-proficient Hispanic students and students from homes where English is spoken. The research reported here was funded by the National Task Force on Early Childhood Education for Hispanics, which is funded in turn by a grant from the Foundation for Child Development and additional support from the A. L. Mailman Family Foundation, the Marguerite Casey Foundation, the Peppercorn Foundation, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Additional research support was provided to Sean F. Reardon by the Carnegie Scholars Program of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and to Claudia Galindo by the American Educational Research Association Research Grants Program. We thank Eugene García, L. Scott Miller, and members of the Task Force's Technical Advisory Committee for very helpful feedback and suggestions, and we thank Joe Robinson and Tara Beteille for exceedingly good research assistance. More detail and results are available in the report Patterns of Hispanic Students' Math and English Literacy Test Scores in the Early Elementary Grades (Reardon & Galindo, 2006). All errors are our own.