Superpositioning High Power Lasers for Mid-Air Image Formation

Abstract This research evaluates different methods to create voxels, 3-dimensional pixels, in air without the need for special glasses or reflections off of surfaces. Research on the advantages of superimposing or the culmination, focusing, of laser light will be conducted. The point of superpositioning/culmination will be evaluated by the brightness of the voxel due to the Rayleigh Scatter Effect. The voxel’s brightness is dependent on the laser output strength and inversely proportional to its wavelength. Once a superimposed/culminated voxel has been created in the lab the next step will be to manipulate the location of the voxel through 3-dimensional space. This research will discuss different techniques to move the voxel including the use of high-speed scanning galvanometer mirror positioning system or rotating wedge prisms to control beam steering. Once the voxel is able to be efficiently manipulated the next step will be to create a latent image, hologram, in 3-dimensional space. This research was funded by the NASA Nebraska Space Grant. Keywords: voxel, superposition, collimation, Rayleigh Scattering Effect, latent imag

Integrated modulation of sympathetic tone in the microcirculation by oxygen, adenosine, and nitric oxide

Despite a profound reduction in hemodynamic shear stress, a sustained release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) limits arteriolar constriction during periods of increased sympathetic nerve activity in the rat small intestine. In this project, we sought to test the hypothesis that adenosine, formed in response to a flow-dependent fall in local PO2, serves as the stimulus to preserve endothelial NO release under these conditions. Sympathetic nerve stimulation induced frequency-dependent arteriolar constrictions and a flow-dependent fall in local PO2. The arteriolar responses to nerve stimulation were enhanced after inhibition of NO synthase with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Under a high (20%) O2 superfusate, the fall in local PO2 during nerve stimulation was significantly attenuated, arteriolar constrictions were significantly increased, and these responses were no longer sensitive to L-NMMA. Treatment with adenosine deaminase (2.0 U/ml) or the selective A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (4 x 10-4 M) completely blocked the enhancing effect of L-NMMA on sympathetic constriction. In the presence of the 5\u27-ectonucleotidase inhibitor alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine 5\u27-diphosphate (4.5 x 10-5 M), the enhancing effects of L-NMMA and the high-O2 superfusate on sympathetic constriction were preserved. None of these treatments had an effect on vascular smooth muscle responsiveness to NO (as judged by arteriolar responses to sodium nitroprusside). The high-O 2 superfusate also did not lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species in the arteriolar wall (as determined by the reduction of tetranitroblue tetrazolium dye). In conclusion, these results suggest that a flow-dependent fall in arteriolar wall and/or tissue PO2 leads to the release of intracellularly-formed adenosine, which, through its interaction with endothelial A1 receptors, stimulates NO release during neurogenic constriction in this vascular bed

Terahertz generation in Czochralski grown periodically poled Mg:Y:LiNbO3 via optical rectification

Using a canonical pump-probe experimental technique, we studied the terahertz (THz) waves generation and detection via optical rectification and mixing in Czochralski-grown periodically poled Mg:Y:LiNbO3 (PPLN) crystals. THz waves with frequencies at 1.37 THz and 0.68 THz as well as 1.8 THz were obtained for PPLN with nonlinear grating periods of 0.03 and 0.06 mm, respectively. A general theoretical model was developed by considering the dispersion and damping of low frequency phonon-polariton mode. Our results show that THz waves are generated in forward and backward directions via pumping pulse rectification. The generated THz waves depend on the spectral shape of the laser pulses, quasi-phase mismatches and dispersion characteristics of a crystal.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figure

Management Recommendations for Jacoby Creek Land Trust’s Off-Channel Pond Site at the Kotke Ranch and Nature Preserve

Now more than ever there is a need for conservation easements within California because of ongoing degradation, urbanization, clear cutting and loss of habitat to ecosystems due to wildfires. The Jacoby Creek Land Trust (JCLT) is in need of a restoration and conservation plan regarding constructed off-channel ponds along Jacoby Creek. One of the ponds is flourishing and supporting different types of fishes during their migration. The other pond, our project location, is struggling to meet the JCLT’s project objectives. The pond is overgrown with European grasses due to the surrounding grazing land and has yet to see the pond\u27s potential. There has been little to no maintenance in regards to this area, thus there is work to be done. The JCLT recently received a five-year grant to restore the off-channel pond and the adjacent riparian habitat. Within this report, we focus solely on the off-channel location. We recommend ways to address various problems in the site by providing the Land Trust with a management plan to help them meet their goals for the off-channel pond to serve a multitude of functions. These recommendations include brief flash grazing of the site, accessibility to the public for recreational use, habitat enhancement, and addition of pollinator-friendly vegetation

The Fire-Fighting Owl

The Fire-Fighting Owl is a single seat, co-axial helicopter that will fly in a fleet to carry water to extinguish wildfires in local communities. This helicopter was designed to fly in hard- to-access areas and has a water tank which is designed to be refilled at small local water sources in order to prevent wildfires from spreading during a mission. The helicopter was designed with bearingless rotors in order to decrease maintenance and increase ease of operations. The helicopter was also designed with co-axial rotors in order to eliminate the need for a tail rotor to allow for a smaller footprint. Using Solidworks, the helicopter assembly was created and tested through computational fluid dynamic analysis. The flow trajectory was analyzed to ensure the rotor design was directing flow as needed and calculate the thrust. Hand calculations were completed in order to determine certain parameters needed in order to confirm the design was meeting the requirements specified by NASA. Calculations were completed to design a pump which could pull 2,000 gallons per minute. The Fire-Fighting Owl can transport approximately 8,000 gallons of water to affected areas over a 24-hour period. Through design and analysis, the Fire-Fighting Owl met all of the requirements needed to be operational and aid in the containment of wildfires

El Curandero Actual: Preserving Indigenous Identity Through Mexican Folk Healing’s Chants

Copyright © 2016, The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal, University of Oklahoma. All rights revert to authors.Curanderismo is a syncretic form of Mexican folk healing whose origins date back to the Spanish colonization of the Americas. This medical system, drawing from both indigenous healing practices and Catholic spirituality, has been preserved throughout history by marginalized indigenous groups lacking access to biomedical healthcare. Today, variations of curandero practices are commonly practiced throughout Mexico as far south as the states of Oaxaca and Morelos and spanning far north, past the Rio Grande and even into Colorado. These practices coexist with modern biomedicine despite a long history of the repression of indigenous peoples by Europeans, and thus represent a reconciliation between these two cultures.This paper seeks to analyze the extent of the reconciliation between indigenous practices and Western Catholicism present in modern curandero practices. Specifically, this investigation will focus on the role of chants, prayer, and music used by modern curanderos as facilitators of healing. Likewise, it will examine the proper historical and cultural contexts of modern curandero movements which celebrate specific healers who have died but whose practices and methods have been preserved. Finally, this analysis will be tied with the resurgence of indigenous identity promoted by the indigenismo movement for social change and activism in Mexico.The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ) is a publication of the Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College at the University of Oklahoma. The views expressed in THURJ are solely those of the contributors and should not be attributed to the Editorial Staff, the Honors College, or the University of Oklahoma.undergraduat

Population Inventory, Threat Assessment, And Anticipated Effects Of Global Climate Change On An Endemic, Cliff Habitat Specialist, Aliciella Penstemonoides (Polemoniaceae)

The ongoing biodiversity crisis necessitates assessment of rare and endemic taxa so that we can recognize how global climate change influences species distributions and understand when local extirpations may amount to global extinctions. Vertical cliffs provide a unique ecosystem for highly adapted species to avoid competition. Cliff-dwelling species incur strong selective pressures that lead to regional restrictions and narrow distributions. Aliciella penstemonoides (M.E. Jones) J.M. Porter (Black Canyon Gilia) is a cliff habitat specialist in the Polemoniaceae (Phlox) family and is restricted to vertical cliff habitats above stream and river drainages of the Upper Gunnison River Basin and Headwaters of the Rio Grande in southwest-central Colorado, USA. Field research in 2016 located 14 populations of A. penstemonoides and identified over 2,000 individuals, indicating that this species is locally abundant yet regionally rare. I employed distance sampling line transect methods in combination with rock climbing techniques to document population density and threats across five populations. MaxEnt software modeled the current extent of suitable habitat and predicted suitable habitat under projected climate scenarios for 2050. Models had excellent accuracy according to evaluation statistics and indicate a loss of 70 - 99% of suitable habitat by 2050. I screened microsatellite markers developed for a distant relative (Ipomopsis aggregata) for cross-species applicability in A. penstemonoides. Four microsatellites showed amplification of targeted loci and indicate genetic conservatism within the Loeselieae tribe and Polemoniaceae family. Further research is needed to complete an assessment of intraspecific genetic diversity. A. penstemonoides is confined to narrowly distributed habitats across a relatively large range, yet retains the ability to occupy a wide array of microhabitats and morphologies within an occupied cliff face. Morphological diversity may be accompanied by genetic or thermotolerance diversity, and may provide a means for adaptation and survival in future climates. Populations are often separated by expanses of unsuitable habitat and appear to have adapted to local rock surface variability. Future research may use A. penstemonoides as a model species to test how fragmented populations of a narrowly restricted species respond to a rapidly changing climate

Effects of recreational therapy balance exercise program in individuals with Parkinson's disease as part of a multidisciplinary treatment: A secondary data analysis study on fall risk and disease severity

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease which produces motor symptoms that increase the fall risk those individuals. This secondary data analysis studies what impact does a 16-week dual treatment featuring Recreational Therapy guided Balance Training and Speech Pathologist guided LOUD Crowd® treatment session have on an individual's fall risk and disease severity.REVIEW OF LITERATURE: Limited research has been conducted on the benefits of a Recreational Therapist led group exercise intervention for this population. Research has shown positive outcomes with exercise with participants who have PD such as improved functional mobility, balance, strength, gait performance, and improving scores on PD rating scales. Research into community-based programming has been found to be beneficial for geriatric populations, including those with PD and other special populations. Specific research into group exercise with individuals with PD has found to possibly produce benefits in balance, gait, strength, and dual-task performance.METHODOLOGY: Weekly 90 minute co-treatment sessions, with each treatment being 45 minutes long. Recreational Therapy focus was to maintain and improve balance, postural stability, and overall physical functioning while the Speech Pathology focus was to maintain and improve voice production, voice volume, and cognitive functioning. Baseline data was collected and compared to post data at the end of the 16-week program.FINDINGS: Pre and Post differences in BBS Fall Risk, z=-.271(p=.786) and H&Y Scale, z=-.557(p=.577) and median differences of -0.0333 (BBS Fall Risk) and -0.1667 (H&Y Scale). No significance was observed in statistical analysis.CONCLUSION: PD is a neurodegenerative disease with an average of 2-3 years per stage on the H&Y Scale. Results support the usage of recreational therapy to deliver treatment options that could complement existing pharmacological and behavior modification treatments for those diagnosed with PD. No significant change with PD population should be view positively and results highlight the need for longitudinal studies of similar methodology to observe long term effects against average progression of PD

Factory Flow Benchmarking Report

The Lean Aircraft Initiative benchmarked representative part fabrications and some assembly operations within its member companies of the defense aircraft industry. This paper reports the results of this benchmarking effort. Comparisons are made using an efficiency metric called flow efficiency. Flow efficiency is defined as the ratio of the fabrication time to the cycle time. In addition, this report explores the major components of the cycle time: fabrication time, lot process delay, storage delay, and transportation delay. The report concludes that the major portion of the cycle time in this industry is storage delay and points out the opportunity to improve cycle time drastically by reducing the amount of storage delay being experienced in the fabrication of products