Simultaneous application of predictive model and least cost formulation can substantially benefit biorefineries outside Corn Belt in United States: A case study in Florida.

Previously, a predictive model was developed to identify optimal blends of expensive high-quality and cheaper low-quality feedstocks for a given geographical location that can deliver high sugar yields. In this study, the optimal process conditions were tested for application at commercially-relevant higher biomass loadings. We observed lower sugar yields but 100% conversion to ethanol from a blend that contained only 20% high-quality feedstock.

Predictive modeling to de-risk bio-based manufacturing by adapting to variability in lignocellulosic biomass supply.

Commercial-scale bio-refineries are designed to process 2000tons/day of single lignocellulosic biomass. Several geographical areas in the United States generate diverse feedstocks that, when combined, can be substantial for bio-based manufacturing. Blending multiple feedstocks is a strategy being investigated to expand bio-based manufacturing outside Corn Belt.

Serum proteomic analysis of a pre-symptomatic multiple sclerosis cohort.

Background And Purpose: Susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) is determined by environmental and genetic factors, but the cause remains unknown. Changes to the proteome prior to first symptom onset may reflect the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.

Methods: This preliminary study utilized pre-symptomatic and post-symptomatic serum from a sample of 100 incident population-based US military veterans with MS along with 100 matched healthy controls.

Multiple sclerosis in gulf war era veterans. 2. Military deployment and risk of multiple sclerosis in the first gulf war.

Background: Concern has been raised that US veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW1) may be at increased risk to develop neurologic disease.

Methods: An incident cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating disease (ODD) was assembled from the US military comprising the Gulf War era (1990-2007). Cases of MS and ODD meeting standard diagnostic criteria were matched to a database of all active duty personnel from the Department of Defense.

Multi-resolution correlative focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy: applications to cell biology.

Efficient correlative imaging of small targets within large fields is a central problem in cell biology. Here, we demonstrate a series of technical advances in focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) to address this issue. We report increases in the speed, robustness and automation of the process, and achieve consistent z slice thickness of ∼3 nm.