Studies on the Reduction of Radon Plate-Out

The decay of common radioactive gases, such as radon, produces stable isotopes by a sequence of daughter particles with varied half-lives. These daughter particles are a significant source of gamma, neutron, and alpha particle backgrounds that can mimic desired signals in dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay experiments. In the LUMINA Laboratory at Southern Methodist University (SMU), studies of radon plate-out onto copper samples are conducted using one of XIA's first five UltraLo 1800 alpha counters. We present results from investigations into various mitigation approaches. A custom-built copper holder (in either plastic or metal) has been designed and produced to maximize the copper's exposure to 220Rn. The 220Rn source is a collection of camping lantern mantles. We present the current status of control and experimental methods for addressing radon exposure levels.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, Conference Proceedings for Low Radioactivity Techniques 201

Calkins, S.S. An Accountant\u27s Assistant or Instruction for Commercial Students, Oberlin, Ohio, 1865

This book was intended for business students as part of a course of study. The author encourages readers to memorize and understand its contents - definitions, rules, and procedures to expedite completion of the course. The author, S. S. Calkins, is listed as the proprietor of a commercial institute in Oberlin, Ohio. The book consists of only 8 pages. Particular emphasis is placed on double-entry bookkeeping rules along with explanations to aid the students in their studies

Think Different: Applying the Old Macintosh Mantra to the Computability of the SUSY Auxiliary Field Problem

Starting with valise supermultiplets obtained from 0-branes plus field redefinitions, valise adinkra networks, and the "Garden Algebra," we discuss an architecture for algorithms that (starting from on-shell theories and, through a well-defined computation procedure), search for off-shell completions. We show in one dimension how to directly attack the notorious "off-shell auxiliary field" problem of supersymmetry with algorithms in the adinkra network-world formulation.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figur

Relationships Among Calcium-Dependent Protease, Cathepsins B and H, Meat Tenderness and the Response of Muscle to Aging

This study was conducted to compare the relative importance of Ca-dependent protease (CDP) and cathepsins B and H to meat tenderness and changes in tenderness in response to postmortem cooler aging. Charolais bulls (n = 8) and steers (n = 7) were slaughtered at 15 mo of age, and total activities of CDP-I (a protease with neutral pH optimum that requires micromolar amounts of Ca for activity) and cathepsins B and H (lysosomal proteases with acidic pH optima) were determined within 1 h. Shear-force values were obtained after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 14 d of aging. Data were pooled when analysis of variance revealed no differences between bulls and steers. Initial shear force was correlated (r = -.71, P \u3c .l0, n = 7) to CDP-I activity (only seven animals sampled for CDP-I), and the overall change in shear force (d 1 to d 14) was correlated to cathepsin B (r = .59, P \u3c .05, n = 15). Most of the aging response occurred between d 3 and d 6 (41.6%), and changes in shear force during this period were related to total activities of cathepsins B and H (r = .44, .64, respectively, P \u3c .05). Collectively, cathepsins B and H accounted for 35 and 58% of the variation in shear force change between d 1 to d 14 and d 3 to d 6, respectively. These data suggest that CDP-I helps to establish initial (d 1) meat tenderness but that cathepsins B and H are responsible for the tenderization that occurs during aging. By manipulating live animal growth and postmortem handling, it might be possible to control meat tenderness through the actions of these enzyme systems

Related neuropeptides use different balances of unitary mechanisms to modulate the cardiac neuromuscular system in the American lobster, Homarus americanus

To produce flexible outputs, neural networks controlling rhythmic motor behaviors can be modulated at multiple levels, including the pattern generator itself, sensory feedback, and the response of the muscle to a given pattern of motor output. We examined the role of two related neuropeptides, GYSDRNYLRFamide (GYS) and SGRNFLRFamide (SGRN), in modulating the neurogenic lobster heartbeat, which is controlled by the cardiac ganglion (CG). When perfused though an isolated whole heart at low concentrations, both peptides elicited increases in contraction amplitude and frequency. At higher concentrations, both peptides continued to elicit increases in contraction amplitude, but GYS caused a decrease in contraction frequency, while SGRN did not alter frequency. To determine the sites at which these peptides induce their effects, we examined the effects of the peptides on the periphery and on the isolated CG. When we removed the CG and stimulated the motor nerve with constant bursts of stimuli, both GYS and SGRN increased contraction amplitude, indicating that each peptide modulates the muscle or the neuromuscular junction. When applied to the isolated CG, neither peptide altered burst frequency at low peptide concentrations; at higher concentrations, SGRN decreased burst frequency, whereas GYS continued to have no effect on frequency. Together, these data suggest that the two peptides elicit some of their effects using different mechanisms; in particular, given the known feedback pathways within this system, the importance of the negative (nitric oxide) relative to the positive (stretch) feedback pathways may differ in the presence of the two peptides

Effects of Wet Distillers Grains Finishing Diets on Fat Content and Marbling Score in Steers

Ninety-four, calf-fed, crossbred steers were randomly allocated to three finishing diets consisting of different amounts of wet distillers grains plus solubles (0%, 15% or 30%, DM basis). Steers were fed for 133 days to test the relationship between marbling score and fat content, as well as effects on marbling texture and marbling distribution. Results of this research suggest that feeding up to 30% of wet distillers grains plus solubles has no detrimental effects on marbling in beef

An exploration of occupation in nursing home residents with dementia

Objectives: This study evaluated the sitting room environment of two nursing homes in Ireland, using interactive occupation and social engagement as outcome measures and defining these rooms as occupational spaces. Method: Snapshot observational recordings were made in the main sitting rooms during the periods of time when the rooms were in most active use. Narrative information was also recorded. Results: Residents were more likely to occupy their time in the main sitting room passively, rather than in interactive occupation and social engagement. The nursing home residents with dementia spent approximately 70% of their daily time in the main sitting room areas in states of occupational disengagement. Discussion: Additional insight is provided through pragmatic narrative descriptions of the functioning of the main sitting room environment in terms of interactive occupation and social engagement. Relevance: The research study demonstrates a methodology for evaluating the sitting room areas of a care environment, using interactive occupation and social engagement as outcome measures,which can be used for descriptive and comparative insights into the performance of care environments

Effects of Wet Distillers Grains Finishing Diets on Fat Content and Marbling Score in Steers

Ninety-four, calf-fed, crossbred steers were randomly allocated to three finishing diets consisting of different amounts of wet distillers grains plus solubles (0%, 15% or 30%, DM basis). Steers were fed for 133 days to test the relationship between marbling score and fat content, as well as effects on marbling texture and marbling distribution. Results of this research suggest that feeding up to 30% of wet distillers grains plus solubles has no detrimental effects on marbling in beef