Freehand sketching meets a vital need in design for fluid, fast and flexible visual representations that designers build off of and learn from. Sketching more frequently during the design process correlates with positive design outcomes. Engineering designers receive minimal training on freehand sketching, and engineering students do not apply freehand sketching well during the design process. This study examines some of the underlying factors associated with using sketching more frequently. We examine how sketching skills, spatial visualization skills, sketching instruction and engineering design self-efficacy influence designers’ self-reported sketching behavior. We find that higher sketching skills are associated with using sketching in a variety of ways, and spatial visualization skills and design self-efficacy are associated with sketching more frequently. The relationships uncovered were emphasized by their longevity: spatial skills and sketching skills in students’ first semesters predicted sketching more frequently in a senior capstone design course. These long-lasting relationships suggest the need to invest in students’ spatial skills and sketching skills early in the degree program so that they can be leveraged for better design practice.

Background: Despite the limited successes of recent amyloid-targetting biologics, the need for a new pathogenesis mechanistic model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a continuing priority, to facilitate improved rational drug design. Methods: To devise a new AD model, we performed an extensive, comprehensive series of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies explicitly evaluating the atomistic–molecular mechanisms of cytokine-mediated and amyloid-beta (Aβ)-mediated neurotoxicities in AD. Results: A new model of AD has been devised: In response to pathogen-/damage-associated molecular pattern-stimulating events (e.g., infection, trauma, ischaemia), Aβ is released as an early responder cytokine triggering an innate immunity cascade in which Aβ exhibits immunomodulatory/antimicrobial duality. However, Aβ’s antimicrobial properties result in a misdirected cytotoxic attack upon “self” neurons, arising from the electrophysiological similarities between neurons and bacteria in terms of transmembrane potential and anionic charges on outer membrane macromolecules. The subsequent breakdown products (amyloid-ganglioside complexes) released from the damaged neurons diffuse to adjacent neurons eliciting further release of Aβ, leading to a chronic, self-perpetuating disease cycle. In short, AD occurs because Aβ cannot differentiate neurons from bacteria. Conclusions: An innovative new model of AD has been devised, recognizing Aβ as a physiologically oligomerizing cytokine and conceptualizing AD as brain-centric autoimmune disorder of innate immunity.

Many of the presently oxidized Georgia kaolins probably existed originally in the reduced (gray) state. For that reason, the distribution of iron sulfides in presently gray kaolins may elucidate features observed in oxidized kaolins. An understanding of the nature of gray kaolins may also aid in the development of processing strategies for the exploitation of these abundant resources. The size, morphology, and degree of crystallite bonding of iron sulfides (pyrite and marcasite) in three gray kaolin cores from the Macon, Georgia kaolin district were examined by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and other physical and chemical methods. Pyrite and marcasite were identified as dominantly gravel- and sand-size equant crystals and crystal aggregates, rather than as framboids. Pyrite crystals commonly showed rough octahedral faces, which extended over minor cube faces. Locally, spiral growth dislocations were also observed. Marcasite was found in radiating, prismatic, and tabular crystals. In general, the marcasite crystal aggregates were much more fragile than those of pyrite. The dominance of octahedral crystal shapes and textures of the pyrite suggest inorganic precipitation from solutions supersaturated with respect to octahedral crystal faces.

One Tertiary and two Cretaceous gray kaolin sites in Georgia were examined using X-ray radiography of core sections to determine the processes of formation of the deposits. The Tertiary kaolin was oxidized in the upper 3 m of the deposit and reduced below that point. The two Cretaceous kaolins were reduced from the top of the deposit to an abrupt boundary with oxidized red kaolin below. Radiography of the first Cretaceous core revealed thin laminar bedding in the gray kaolin and in the underlying red kaolin. The laminae continue without interruption across the gray kaolin/red kaolin boundary. The laminae were not visible in the gray kaolin except in radiographs. Sedimentary bedding was not observed visually or radiographically at the Tertiary site nor in sections of the core from the second Cretaceous site where kaolinite was recrystallized to large vermiforms. The original sedimentary structure in the first Cretaceous kaolin was preserved possibly due to the inhibition of kaolinite recrystallization by a higher organic matter content. Recrystallization of kaolinite and iron compounds may have destroyed sedimentary structures in part or all of the other two kaolin cores. It is hypothesized that the first Cretaceous physical and biological mixing. The same hypothesis may apply to the other two kaolins but recrystallization after deposition has destroyed sedimentary structures.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been tied to several forms of emotional and behavioral dysregulation in adolescence, with less attention paid to regulation of anger. Most assume that anger dysregulation leads to engagement in NSSI, rather than the reverse. However, it is plausible that NSSI compromises adolescents’ abilities to regulate their emotions, including anger, because it may reduce the development of alternative regulatory strategies and intensify negative emotions by reducing tolerance of distress. Using three waves of data from a sample of adolescents in 17 Swedish schools (n = 1,304 Mage = 13.68, SDage = .67; 89% of Swedish origin; 58% girls), we examined the directionality of ties between NSSI and three forms of anger dysregulation: dysregulated expressions of anger, anger suppression, and low anger reflection. We also looked for differences in magnitude of paths and gender differences. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models showed that NSSI predicted changes in all forms of anger dysregulation but found no support for the opposite direction. Gender differences were not evident. Results challenge directionality assumptions and support suggestions that adolescents’ anger regulation degrades when they self-injure.

Some supporters of religious slaughter methods claim that efficiency of bleed-out is adversely affected by stunning. Our previous study carried out in sheep at an abattoir comparing the Muslim method of slaughter without stunning with pre-slaughter stunning using a captive bolt or by electrical methods concluded that bleed-out is not adversely affected by stunning, nor improved by a neck cut without stunning. In this paper, a similar study carried out in cattle is reported. In this study, captive bolt stunning followed by neck cutting was compared with the Muslim slaughter method without stunning. The total blood loss, percentage blood loss expressed as a percentage of live weight and percentage loss of estimated total blood were calculated and compared between each group. In addition, the time periods taken to reach 25, 50, 75 and 90% of total blood loss were also calculated. There was no significant difference between the two stunning groups for any of these blood loss variables. The results, subjected to statistical analyses, also showed no apparent difference in the PCV levels and meat quality parameters between treatments. These results confirm the findings with sheep and show that the bleed-out is not adversely affected by captive bolt stunning, nor improved by a neck cut without stunning in cattle. It is anticipated that these findings may help promote the use of stunning methods during Halal slaughter.