Comparing Disdrometer-measured Raindrop Size Distributions from VORTEX-SE with Distributions from Polarimetric Radar Retrievals Using the Constrained Gamma Method

Many aspects of microphysical variations within supercells are not well understood, even though they play a key role in storm dynamics and evolution. Raindrop size distributions (DSDs) provide a lot of insight into a storms microphysics, however, DSDs vary significantly throughout storms. Unfortunately, current radars do not have the capability to directly observe DSDs, making retrieval algorithms based on advanced microphysical models and in-situ disdrometer observations necessary. If these small-scale variations can be better characterized, and differences between convective regimes quantified, it will lead to improved algorithms for retrieving DSD parameters from radars as well as improved microphysical parameterizations within numerical weather prediction models. With better modeling of supercells, tornado predictions and warnings can be improved. While disdrometers can directly measure DSDs, they are severely limited in spatial coverage. In order to improve our understanding of the spatial variation of DSDs across supercells, radar retrieval methods, such as the constrained-gamma method, can be used to retrieve DSD parameters at high spatial resolution across an entire storm. The constrained-gamma method works by finding a relationship between the shape parameter μ and the slope parameter Λ of the underlying gamma distribution. In this study, the constrained gamma method is applied to radar data collected during the 2016 and 2017 VORTEX-SE field program in order to retrieve gamma distributions from polarimetric radar variables. Specifically, new μ-Λ relations will be derived from VORTEX-SE disdrometer data and will be compared to μ-Λ relations found in other studies. The utility of retrievals will then be evaluated using the different relations for characterizing the spatiotemporal variation of DSDs for VORTEX-SE storms. To further improve the μ-Λ relation, the effects of measurement errors will be minimized by using a sorting and averaging technique to group DSDs with similar microphysical properties together

AN EVOLUTION FROM PRETREATMENT TO FRACTIONATION WILL ENABLE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTEGRATED BIOREFINERY

The current state of biorefinery development is focused almost entirely on the production of fuel ethanol. However, an ethanol-centric approach misses the crucial example set by the petrochemical industry. The ability to fractionate a raw material, rather than simply pretreating it, enables the parallel production of low value, high volume fuels and high value, low volume chemicals. By developing analogous fractionation processes for biomass, giving separate process streams of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, the biorefining industry will be able to recognize the synergistic advantages of producing both energy and profits

A Valuation Problem

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate School of The University of Kansas for The Degree of Electrical Engineer

Historical Observations and Identifications of Plants and Animals in the Vicinity of Engineer Cantonment in 1819-1820

Historical observations and identifications of plants and animals in the vicinity of Engineer Cantonment in 1819–1820 (James 1822) are shown below in Roman and Roman italic print. Specimens identified through phytoarcheological and zooarcheological analysis of materials and believed to be reasonably associated or contemporaneous with the Long Expedition use of the site (AU4) are shown in boldface. Species present in both the historical and archeological data are marked by an asterisk (*). References used in this compilation include Benedict (1996), Brewer (1970 [1840]), Conant and Collins (1991), Ducey (2000), Evans (1997), Falk et al. (this volume), Genoways et al. (2008), Goodman and Lawson (1995), Jones (1964), Kaul et al. (2011), Lynch (1985), Nepstad-Thornberry and Bozell (this volume), Ord (1815), Page et al. (2013), Peyton (2000), Picha (this volume), Rhoads (1894), Sharpe et al. (2001), Turgeon et al. (1998), and Wilson and Reeder (2005). Modifi ed and revised from Genoways and Ratcliffe (2008). Includes scientific names, common names, comments, and references cited

Systematic Approach to Identifying Deeply Buried Archeological Deposits

This project is designed to assist cultural resource specialists involved in Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) project planning and development. The goal was to develop Geographic Information System (GIS) data layers that spatially delineate different landform-sediment assemblages (LSAs) and depict the associated geologic potential for buried cultural deposits in select watersheds in Nebraska. The Nebraska Buried Sites GIS resource will allow planners and cultural resource specialists to determine whether future project areas are likely to be free of deeply buried sites or whether subsurface exploration is necessary

Alternative Feedstocks Program Technical and Economic Assessment: Thermal/Chemical and Bioprocessing Components

This resource document on biomass to chemicals opportunities describes the development of a technical and market rationale for incorporating renewable feedstocks into the chemical industry in both a qualitative and quantitative sense. The term "renewable feedstock?s" can be defined to include a huge number of materials such as agricultural crops rich in starch, lignocellulosic materials (biomass), or biomass material recovered from a variety of processing wastes

Doxycycline vs. penicillin G benzathine for the treatment of syphilis in patients with HIV

Background: Syphilis is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection which can lead to serious health complications if not treated effectively. Historically, penicillin G benzathine has been the primary agent used to treat syphilis infections, with doxycycline being an alternative agent for patients who cannot tolerate penicillin antibiotics. The efficacy of doxycycline in treating syphilis in patients with HIV, however, has not been well documented despite its use as an alternative treatment. The objective of this study is to compare the ability of these two agents to treat syphilis, specifically in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Methods: This study has been approved by the facility’s Institutional Review Board. It examined a cohort of patients retrospectively to analyze the comparative effectiveness of resolution of syphilis infection in patients treated with penicillin G benzathine vs. doxycycline utilizing diagnosis codes for specific types of syphilis (primary, secondary, tertiary, early latent, late latent). An information technology specialist working with the institution was instructed to run a report of patients from the electronic medical record who received a prescription for doxycycline or were administered an intramuscular injection of penicillin G benzathine with a diagnosis for syphilis and HIV. The population of patients was collected from October 2020 to present. An informational technology specialist developed the report and pulled any identifiable patient information prior to forwarding to the primary research team. Clinical pharmacy residents reviewed all patients included in the report for involvement in the study based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint assessed was resolution of syphilis infection, with secondary endpoints looking at reported adverse reactions to treatment, reinfection with syphilis, and incomplete initial treatment. All members of the research team were kept up to date on the happenings of the trial, as is relevant for their level of involvement.Results: Data analysis for this trial is still ongoing. The total number of patients included in the study was 134, with 21 patients having received doxycycline and 113 having been administered penicillin G benzathine. The primary outcome occurred in 18/21 (85.71%) of patients in the doxycycline arm, while 103/113 (91.15%) of patients in the penicillin group saw resolution of syphilis. Adverse effects were widely unreported, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the only type of reaction reported. One patient reported diarrhea after taking doxycycline, and another patient reported nausea after receiving an injection of penicillin G benzathine.Conclusion: Doxycycline had a lower resolution of infection. This could be due to the uneven distribution of patients between the two arms of the study. Given that the place in therapy of doxycycline is primarily patients with severe penicillin allergy, it is not surprising that far more patients were treated with penicillin G benzathine than with doxycycline. The lack of reported adverse effects is encouraging, as it is likely they would have been stated if reactions had occurred. Other endpoints will be analyzed in the future. Further, larger scale, studies are needed to determine if doxycycline is truly inferior to penicillin in treating syphilis infection

Sciadopitys verticillata Resin: Volatile Components and Impact on Plant Pathogenic and Foodborne Bacteria

Sciadopitys verticillata (Sv) produces a white, sticky, latex-like resin with antimicrobial properties. The aims of this research were to evaluate the effects of this resin (Sv resin) on bacterial populations and to determine the impact of its primary volatile components on bioactivity. The impact of sample treatment on chemical composition of Sv resin was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) coupled with principal component analysis. The presence and concentration of volatiles in lyophilized resin were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Changes in bacterial population counts due to treatment with resin or its primary volatile components were monitored. Autoclaving of the samples did not affect the FTIR spectra of Sv resin; however, lyophilization altered spectra, mainly in the CH and C=O regions. Three primary bioactive compounds that constituted \u3e90% of volatiles (1R-α-pinene, tricyclene, and β-pinene) were identified in Sv resin. Autoclaved resin impacted bacterial growth. The resin was stimulatory for some plant and foodborne pathogens (Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. syringae, and Xanthomonas perforans) and antimicrobial for others (Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Erwinia amylovora). Treatment with either 1R-α-pinene or β-pinene reduced B. cereus population growth less than did autoclaved resin. The complex resin likely contains additional antimicrobial compounds that act synergistically to inhibit bacterial growth