A digital imaging photometry system for cometary data acquisition

This report describes a digital imaging photometry system developed in the Space Science Laboratory at the Marshall Space Flight center. The photometric system used for cometary data acquisition is based on an intensified secondary electron conduction (ISEC) vidicon coupled to a versatile data acquisition system which allows real-time interactive operation. Field tests on the Orion and Rosette nebulas indicate a limiting magnitude of approximately m sub v = 14 over the 40 arcmin field-of-view. Observations were conducted of Comet Giacobini-Zinner in August 1985. The resulting data are discussed in relation to the capabilities of the digital analysis system. The development program concluded on August 31, 1985

Mapping lung cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition states and trajectories with single-cell resolution.

Elucidating the spectrum of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) states in clinical samples promises insights on cancer progression and drug resistance. Using mass cytometry time-course analysis, we resolve lung cancer EMT states through TGFβ-treatment and identify, through TGFβ-withdrawal, a distinct MET state. We demonstrate significant differences between EMT and MET trajectories using a computational tool (TRACER) for reconstructing trajectories between cell states. In addition, we construct a lung cancer reference map of EMT and MET states referred to as the EMT-MET PHENOtypic STAte MaP (PHENOSTAMP). Using a neural net algorithm, we project clinical samples onto the EMT-MET PHENOSTAMP to characterize their phenotypic profile with single-cell resolution in terms of our in vitro EMT-MET analysis. In summary, we provide a framework to phenotypically characterize clinical samples in the context of in vitro EMT-MET findings which could help assess clinical relevance of EMT in cancer in future studies

On the modified nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation in the semiclassical limit: supersonic, subsonic, and transsonic behavior

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between the modified nonlinear Schr\"odinger (MNLS) equation and the focusing and defocusing variants of the (unmodified) nonlinear Schr\"odinger (NLS) equation in the semiclassical limit. We describe aspects of the limiting dynamics and discuss how the nature of the dynamics is evident theoretically through inverse-scattering and noncommutative steepest descent methods. The main message is that, depending on initial data, the MNLS equation can behave either like the defocusing NLS equation, like the focusing NLS equation (in both cases the analogy is asymptotically accurate in the semiclassical limit when the NLS equation is posed with appropriately modified initial data), or like an interesting mixture of the two. In the latter case, we identify a feature of the dynamics analogous to a sonic line in gas dynamics, a free boundary separating subsonic flow from supersonic flow.Comment: 30 pages, 2 figures. Submitted to Acta Mathematica Scientia (special issue in honor of Peter Lax's 85th birthday

Constraints to the Success of Women Small Scale Entrepreneurs in Kenya. A Case of Microfinance Institution Borrowers in Rongai District of Nakuru County, Kenya

The study aimed at determining the constraints to the success of women small scale entrepreneurs in Kenya with specific reference to micro finance Institution borrowers in Rongai District, Nakuru County, Kenya. Purposive sampling was used to determine five markets. The survey achieved the targeted sample size of 90 interviewees. Stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling was used to select the sample. A regression model was used and the findings revealed that the success level of women small scale entrepreneurs was sensitive to all the factors investigated. However, some determinants were more influential than others. The most significant variable was the level of education followed by well as business training. Keywords: Women Small Scale Entrepreneurs, Microfinance Institutions, constraints to the success leve

The Importance of Group Cohesion in Inpatient Treatment of Combat-related PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most widespread mental illness resulting from exposure to combat, necessitating an increase in the provision of group therapy. This pilot study examined the efficacy of, and treatment outcome predictors associated with, group inpatient treatment of combat-related PTSD. Participants included 38 active duty military personnel deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), diagnosed with PTSD, and consecutive admissions to an inpatient PTSD treatment facility. A paired samples t-test revealed significant change in symptom severity and global functioning between pre- and post-treatment. Multiple regression analyses supported the predictive utility of baseline symptomatology and group cohesion (\u3e 50% of the variance in treatment outcome), highlighting the importance of group cohesion in the efficacy of group treatment for combat-related PTSD

A study of the usefulness of Skylab EREP data for earth resources studies in Australia

The author has identified the following significant results. In subhumid, vegetated areas, S190B photography: (1) has a potentially operational role in detecting lineaments in 1:100,000 scale geological mapping and in major civil engineering surveys; (2) is of limited value for regional lithological mapping at 1:500,000 scale; and (3) provided much useful synoptic information and some detailed information of direct value to the mapping of nonmineral natural resources such as vegetation, land soil, and water. In arid, well exposed areas, S190B photography could be used: (1) with a limited amount of field traverses, to produce reliable 1:500,000 scale geological maps of sedimentary sequences; (2) to update superficial geology on 1:250,000 scale maps; and (3) together with the necessary field studies, to prepare landform, soil, and vegetation maps at 1:1,000,000 scale. Skylab photography was found to be more useful than LANDSAT images for small scale mapping of geology and land types, and for the revision of topographic maps at 1:100,000 scale, because of superior spatial resolution and stereoscopic coverage

Long Term Capsaicin Administration Effects on Skeletal Muscle Function in Aging Mice

Please view abstract in the attached PDF fil

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding Detects Mammal use of Stock Tanks and Natural Springs on the Prescott National Forest

Recent research has shown the viability of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis as a tool for identifying species presence in aquatic ecosystems. However, there is limited research indicating the feasibility of eDNA as a survey tool in water sources such as springs and stock tanks. Because of the scarcity of water in the high desert landscape of Arizona, natural springs and stock tanks are an important water resource. In this study, we examined whether 16S rRNA metabarcoding could detect mammal eDNA in springs and stock tanks in the Prescott National Forest. During summer 2019, we collected and analyzed water samples at eight sites, including five natural springs and three stock tanks. Across all sites, samples resulted in the detection of eight vertebrate species, including one amphibian, the American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeiana, one bird, the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, and seven mammal species, including the American Black Bear Ursus americanus, Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus, and two squirrel species from the Genus Sciurus. However, of the 1.9 million sequences generated during sequencing, 1.85 million sequences belonged to invertebrate species. This suggests amplification of invertebrate eDNA associated with the 16S primers, which may interfere with the detection of vertebrate eDNA sequences in these systems. POSTER PRESENTATION ARIZONA SPACE GRANT AWARD IGNITE AWAR

Reservefonds gegen Naturkatastrophen auf nationaler und europäischer Ebene

Katastrophenfonds funktionieren nach dem Prinzip der Kapitalakkumulation. Sie werden teilweise auf nationaler und europäischer Ebene eingesetzt, um sich gegen die finanziellen Schäden, verursacht durch extreme Naturereignisse, zu schützen. Basierend auf Beispielen in Europa, wie dem österreichischen Katastrophenfonds sowie dem europäischen Solidaritätsfonds, werden die Vor- und Nachteile von Reservefonds aufgezeigt und mögliche Lösungsvorschläge für gegenwärtige Probleme präsentiert. Vor allem die nichtrisikobasierte Anwendung wird als Problem betrachtet. Es werden Methoden vorgestellt, wie ein wahrscheinlichkeitstheoretischer Ansatz aussehen könnte, um sowohl direkte als auch indirekte Schäden bei der Analyse mit einzubeziehen und daraus Strategien zu entwickeln, die sich langfristig als nachhaltig erweisen.Catastrophe reserve funds are used to cover the potential costs of a disaster by capital accumulation. Based on examples in Europe, especially the national disaster fund in Austria and the European Solidarity Fund, the advantages and disadvantages of such a risk management instrument are shown and possible solutions are proposed. The main criticism is the non-risk based approach of these instruments. Methodologies how one can incorporate direct as well as indirect losses within a probability based approach are presented