Exploring H.pylori seropositivity as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Background: In the US, the percentage of adults with diagnosed diabetes are higher in members of racial and ethnic minority groups compared to non-Latino Whites. Understanding why such disparities exist has been less forthcoming. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000 cross-sectional data. Results: H.pylori seropositivity was highest in Mexican Americans (43.7%), lowest in non-Hispanic Whites (18.1%). Diabetes was highest in non-Hispanic Blacks (5.9%); lowest in non-Hispanic whites (4.3%). H.pylori seropositivity was associated with greater likelihood of having type 2 diabetes (1.927, 95% CI 1.142, 3.257) compared to H.pylori negative in unadjusted model. After adjustment, H.pylori seropositivity was no longer associated with diabetes. Obesity (aOR 4.94, 95% CI 2.672,9.133) was associated with having type 2 diabetes compared to normal weight. Non-Hispanic Blacks (2.436, 95% CI 1.489,3.984) and Mexican Americans (1.896, 95% CI 1.002,3.587) had greater odds of diabetes compared to Whites. For nearly all stratified analyses, H.pylori did not have a significant association with type 2 diabetes although several other noteworthy findings emerged. A chance finding, where H.pylori was associated with greater likelihood of diabetes in Mexican Americans, 60-85, \u3e25 BMI, may be worth a closer look. Conclusion: Findings indicate weight status, obesity in particular, is the strongest predictor of diabetes followed by Black race. Stratified analyses suggest increasing racial disparities over the course of the life span

Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Electromagnetic Suspension Systems for the Hyperloop

In 2012, the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk, proposed a new method of transportation known as the Hyperloop. The proposed system, which would serve as the fifth method of transportation, described the fundamental theory of traveling in a near-vacuum tube at high speeds in a pod-like vehicle. Since Musk made his proposal, various companies and universities have investigated the Hyperloop concept in order to make it a reality. Researchers in the engineering and scientific community are currently investigating an effective electromagnetic suspension system design for the Hyperloop. It is hypothesized that a passive magnetic levitation (maglev) suspension system, as similarly designed for maglev trains, can be properly modeled and designed to provide optimized performance results for the proposed transportation method. The electromagnetic suspension design will utilize a specific arrangement of permanent magnets known as the Halbach array. In introducing linear velocity to the magnets, they will induce eddy currents along a conducting surface, and as a result, will create a force of levitation that will sustain the full weight of the capsule. Researchers have also proposed that in using a method of active magnetic levitation, where angular velocity instead of linear velocity is applied to the arrangement of magnets, the electromagnetic suspension will have improved control in stabilizing the induced levitation force and in keeping the displacement gap between the Hyperloop capsule and the conducting track constant. In order to approach this engineering problem, a specific methodology composed of literature review, calculation analysis, simulation, and testing evaluation has been selected for the purpose of obtaining satisfactory results for the proposed electromagnetic suspension systems. Through literature review, the physical theoretical models behind the proposed technology will be fully investigated in order to properly apply them as the foundational architecture of the suspension system. A mathematical model of the proposed suspension system will be designed and tested through MATLAB, for comparing the theoretical models with experimental data of existing technologies. Furthermore, the simulation results will be observed and analyzed in order to properly evaluate the figures of merit of the electromagnetic suspension methods

CryoCart Restoration and Vacuum Pipe Construction

Propulsion systems that utilize hypergolic propellants have been used to power space vehicles since the beginning of the space program. Liquid methane and oxygen propulsion systems have emerged as an alternative and have proven to be more environmentally friendly. The incorporation of liquid methane/liquid oxygen (LOX) into the propulsion system has demonstrated an increase in engine performance, as well as a reduction in the volume, size and complexity of the system. Consequently, reducing the total mass of the vehicle which is a crucial aspect that is considered when planning space missions to both the Moon and Mars [1]. Project Morpheus has made significant advancements in liquid oxygen/liquid methane propulsion system technologies by incorporating a LOX/methane propulsion system to a vertical test bed. The vehicle consisted of a 5,000 lb main engine and four 20 lb remote control system (RCS) engines that utilize liquid methane/LOX as its propellant [1]. The vehicle completed successful flight testing at Kennedy Space Center in 2014 which marked the completion of the Morpheus project. Subsequent projects utilizing Morpheus' vertical test bed have been developed to make further advancements. One of the subsequent projects consisted of the addition of a smaller 2,000 lb main engine and a cold helium heat exchanger which would make it possible for a pressurant tank systems to be send to Mars or the Moon by significantly decreasing the overall mass and volume of the pressurant tank. The hot fire tests of the integrated system with the smaller main engine and cold helium heat exchanger were successful at sea level, but further studies are being conducted to better understand how the vertical test bed will behave under thermal-vacuum conditions. For this reason, the integrated vehicle will be taken to Plum Brook to be tested in a chamber capable of simulating these conditions. To ensure that the vehicle will function properly under vacuum conditions, testing will be first completed at the component level. During this process, the igniter of the main engine and the RCS thrusters will be tested under a vacuum. To complete the testing of the components, the test setup first needed to be finalized. The CryoCart is being used to feed the propellants to the test article. The CryoCart is a movable test set-up that was developed in 2009 to provide a mobile platform for testing oxygen/methane systems with hot-fire capability up to 100 lbf. The CryoCart consists of three different systems: Oxygen, Methane, and liquid Nitrogen. The Oxygen and Methane systems are placed into two different carts while the liquid nitrogen system is mainly located in the methane cart. Over the years, the CryoCart has been utilized for different projects and has undergone deterioration. For this reason, a new phase has been developed to rebuild it to working conditions once again. During my internship, I was aiding in the construction and restoration of the CryoCart. In the initial stages of the process, I updated the fluid and electrical schematics for the oxygen, methane, and test article systems. The original CryoCart consisted of an electrical panel that utilized electromechanical relays and a terminal to drive the igniter power and signal, as well as the main fuel and oxygen valves. This electrical panel connected to the CryoCart through various wire harnesses that could be found exiting from the CryoCart. First, it was determined how these harnesses connected to the electromechanical relays so that they worked correctly. Once the electrical system was understood, an alternative for the electromechanical relays and the Molex connectors used throughout the system was sought since these components can often prove to be unreliable. Solid State relays and MIL connectors were purchased to serve as replacements. Upon arrival of the parts, crimping and wiring was completed to install the new solid state relays and MIL connectors. During the replacement of the relays and connectors, system checks of the electrical system were ran to ensure that the system was working correctly. While completing system checks, the pressure transducers that were not functioning properly were also replaced and any issue with the wiring or signal was addressed. Once the electrical components were replaced, the restoration of the fluid system began. Parts of the tubing in the CryoCart had to be rebuild and often consisted of sizing, cutting, bending, filing, and sanding the tubing to prepare it to be flared. Many components had to be proof-tested to bring their certifications up to date, and several components had to be replaced. Various flex hoses, valves, and fittings were send to the Clean Lab because they were new, dirty, or had gone through proof-testing. Once they arrived from the cleaning lab they had to be put back to the system and leak checks and functional tests were conducted. In the Nitrogen system, the copper tubing located in the Oxygen cart was rebuild and Aerogel insulation was added to this section. A new gaseous nitrogen system was added to the CryoCart to purge the vacuum tube which will serve as the test chamber. Once the CryoCart was completed, construction of parts of the vacuum tube began. A flange was manufactured with welded fittings to hold the line of the vacuum pump as well as some extra fittings which will serve as extra inlets used to introduce fluid lines to the vacuum tube. Stress analysis was ran in this flange to ensure that it would not fail under vacuum conditions. The fluid lines leading from the air side of the vacuum to the test article were also constructed and added to the mount that had already been manufactured. Three different sets of tubing were constructed to accommodate the seven different RCS thruster and the main engine igniter that are going to be tested. Full electrical system checks were completed to ensure that all the wire harnesses and valves were functioning. Upon the completion of the CryoCart and the vacuum tube, hot fire testing for the RCS thrusters and the main engine igniter are going to begin. During this time any issues encountered with the engines or igniter will be addressed to ensure that the components function under vacuum conditions. After successful completion of testing, the vertical test bed, Morpheus, will be rebuilt and prepared to be sent to Plum Brook. In Plum Brook, the vehicle will be tested in the thermal-vacuum chamber to demonstrate that integrated lox-methane propulsion system operation in space-like conditions. This internship has allowed me the opportunity to gain valuable hands on experience and to develop skills that will aid in my education as well as in the workforce, while at the same time helping me determine that I would like to further pursue a career in propulsion engineering

How to Attract Children and Adults to the Same Beverage through Package Design

The purpose of this study was to determine if children and adults could be attracted to the same beverage through package design. This study surveyed particpants in the San Luis Obispo Area on prefernece of different juice labels. The survey asked the preference of different juice labels based on typeface, size and layout of the logo, contrast, type of substrate, and color. The survey participants were in different age groups ranging from 4 years old to those over 40 years old. Results from one hundred sixty-one responses indicated although not all age groups were attracted to the same elements of a beverage label, patterns did arise in some age groups’ preferences. This data can allow beverage companies to reach a larger target market successfully, thus increasing sales

Newton-Okoukov bodies and symplectic embeddings into non-toric rational surfaces

We develop new methods of both constructing and obstructing symplectic embeddings into non-toric rational surfaces using the theory of Newton-Okoukov bodies. Applications include sharp embedding results for concave toric domains into non-toric rational surfaces, and new cases of non-existence for infinite staircases in the non-toric setting.Comment: 33 pages, 6 figures. Minor edits to v1. To appear in Journal of the London Mathematical Societ

Elementary SFT Spectral Gaps And The Strong Closing Property

We formulate elementary SFT spectral invariants of a large class of symplectic cobordisms and stable Hamiltonian manifolds, in any dimension. We give criteria for the strong closing property using these invariants, and verify these criteria for Hofer near periodic systems. This extends the class of symplectic dynamical systems in any dimension that satisfy the strong closing property.Comment: 76 pages, 5 figures. Comments welcome

Protein Purification and Expression of β-Glucosidase Mutant Y118F

Β-glucosidase is an enzyme that is essential for the hydrolysis of cellulase and is responsible for glucose production. Many mutations can occur within this enzyme, each has different enzymatic effects and likelihood of expression. For this experiment, enzymatic data was collected regarding the mutation BglB (Y118F) and compared to the wild-type data--which does not contain a mutation. This was done by designing the protein through the Foldit program, sequencing it, transforming it, purifying, expressing, and analyzing it. The analysis of this mutation consisted of a kinetic enzymatic assay and SDS PAGE. The BglB Y118F mutation was expressed, but not purified because of the absence of a band in the BglB Y118F lane on the SDS-PAGE gel. After performing the enzymatic assays, the resulting data was submitted to the D2D database, and various data (including Km, Vmax, and kcat/Km) were generated. The resulting data further proved that the BglB Y118F mutation showed better catalytic efficiency and substrate binding than the wild type