Interview with Nathan Gagnon

Nathan Gagnon (he/him) was born in Berkeley, California in 2002 and was raised by his French-Canadian immigrant parents in Albany, California. He has always been creative: he was an aspiring animator from a young age, making videos with LEGO in his free time. In middle school he started learning piano, and he now plays guitar and sings as well. In 2019 he played his first open mic at The Octopus, a local music venue which has since closed permanently. In the spring of 2020, he had a socially distanced graduation from Albany High School after many months of remote learning. In the fall of 2020, he started his first semester at Columbia College Chicago in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, pursuing a major in Traditional Animation with a focus in Stop Motion. He continues his studies from his current residence on campus in Chicago, Illinois, and plans on graduating in 2024.https://digitalcommons.colum.edu/capturingquarantine/1025/thumbnail.jp

The mass-L_x relation for moderate luminosity X-ray clusters

We present measurements of the masses of a sample of 25 moderate X-ray luminosity clusters of galaxies from the 160 square degree ROSAT survey. The masses were obtained from a weak lensing analysis of deep F814W images obtained using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). We present an accurate empirical correction for the effect of charge transfer (in)efficiency on the shapes of faint galaxies. A significant lensing signal is detected around most of the clusters. The lensing mass correlates tightly with the cluster richness. We measured the intrinsic scatter in the scaling relation between M_2500 and L_X and find the best fit power law slope and normalisation to be alpha=0.68+-0.07 and M_X=(1.2+-0.12)10^14M_sun (for L_X=2x10^44 erg/s). These results agree well with a number of recent studies, but the normalisation is lower compared to the study of Rykoff et al. (2008b). One explanation for this difference may be the fact that (sub)structures projected along the line-of-sight boost both the galaxy counts and the lensing mass. Such superpositions lead to an increased mass at a given L_X when clusters are binned by richness.Comment: accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal; 15 pages, 11 figure

Adolescent stealing treated with motivational interviewing and imaginal desensitization — Case report

Background: Adolescent shoplifting occurs in an estimated 15% of the United States population. Although adolescent stealing is associated with significant psychosocial consequences there is limited research concerning efficacious treatments. Case study: A 17-year-old male with a history of compulsive stealing was treated using a six-session, individualized cognitive-behavioral therapy protocol which included motivational interviewing, psycho-education, behavioral modification, and an exposure script using imaginal desensitization. After the six-session therapy, the patient continued for eight further sessions of therapy to maintain treatment gains. His Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores dropped from a 22 pre-treatment to a 3 at the end of the 14 sessions of therapy and he remained abstinent from stealing. Discussion: This case reports on the successful use of an individualized, cognitive behavioral therapy on an adolescent with compulsive shoplifting and other antisocial behaviors. This treatment provides a promising step towards the treatment of a relatively common adolescent behavior

Empirical Scaling Laws of Rocket Exhaust Cratering

When launching or landing a space craft on the regolith of a terrestrial surface, special attention needs to be paid to the rocket exhaust cratering effects. If the effects are not controlled, the rocket cratering could damage the spacecraft or other surrounding hardware. The cratering effects of a rocket landing on a planet's surface are not understood well, especially for the lunar case with the plume expanding in vacuum. As a result, the blast effects cannot be estimated sufficiently using analytical theories. It is necessary to develop physics-based simulation tools in order to calculate mission-essential parameters. In this work we test out the scaling laws of the physics in regard to growth rate of the crater depth. This will provide the physical insight necessary to begin the physics-based modeling

Nanotopographic Cell Culture Substrate: Polymer-Demixed Nanotextured Films Under Cell Culture Conditions

Modulating physical cell culture environments via nanoscale substrate topographic modification has recently been of significant interest in regenerative medicine. Many studies have utilized a polymer-demixing technique to produce nanotextured films and showed that cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation could be regulated by the shape and scale of the polymer-demixed nanotopographies. However, little attention has been paid to the topographic fidelity of the polymer-demixed films when exposed to cell culture conditions. In this brief article, two polymer-demixing systems were employed to assess topographic changes in polymer-demixed films after fibronectin (FN) extracellular matrix protein adsorption and after incubation in phosphate-buffered saline at 37◦C. We showed that FN adsorption induced very small variations ( \u3c 2 nm) to the polystyrene/polybromostyrene (PS/PBrS)-demixed nanoisland textures, not substantially altering the nanotopographies given by the polymer demixing. In addition, poly(L-lactic acid)/PS (PLLA/PS)-demixed nanoisland topographies using PLLA with Mw = 50 x 103 did not show notable degradation up to day 24

Comparison of Countermovement and Squat Jumps Performance In Recreationally Trained Males

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(1): 462-472, 2021. The vertical jump has been shown to be an effective tool in assessing neuromuscular fatigue. The two most common iterations of the vertical jump are the countermovement and squat jumps. This investigation sought to identify if differences exist between the two jumping strategies with regard to electromyography (EMG) and kinetics in a group of recreationally trained males. Twenty-two participants completed one experimental session, where three countermovement (CMJ) and three squat jumps (SJ) were performed using a counterbalanced within-subject design. Jump performance was evaluated with data obtained using a force platform. Additionally, EMG was collected on the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), semitendinosus (ST) and medial gastrocnemius (MG). Greater EMG values were seen in the CMJ for ST as well as percentage of activation in the MG (p \u3c 0.05). Increased values of mean force and mean power were observed in the SJ, while the CMJ showed greater peak and mean velocity. Greater jump heights in the CMJ were present as well (p \u3c 0.05). These findings suggest that the increase in CMJ jump height due to the increase in propulsive velocity is not due to increases in knee extensors muscle activation

Two Clusters with Radio-quiet Cooling Cores

Radio lobes inflated by active galactic nuclei at the centers of clusters are a promising candidate for halting condensation in clusters with short central cooling times because they are common in such clusters. In order to test the AGN-heating hypothesis, we obtained Chandra observations of two clusters with short central cooling times yet no evidence for AGN activity: Abell 1650 and Abell 2244. The cores of these clusters indeed appear systematically different from cores with more prominent radio emission. They do not have significant central temperature gradients, and their central entropy levels are markedly higher than in clusters with stronger radio emission, corresponding to central cooling times ~ 1 Gigayear. Also, there is no evidence for fossil X-ray cavities produced by an earlier episode of AGN heating. We suggest that either (1) the central gas has not yet cooled to the point at which feedback is necessary to prevent it from condensing, possibly because it is conductively stabilized, or (2) the gas experienced a major heating event $\gtrsim 1$ Gyr in the past and has not required feedback since then. The fact that these clusters with no evident feedback have higher central entropy and therefore longer central cooling times than clusters with obvious AGN feedback strongly suggests that AGNs supply the feedback necessary to suppress condensation in clusters with short central cooling times.Comment: ApJ Letter, in pres

Nebraska\u27s Economic Future

Nebraskans like where they live. Young and old, they like the “sense of place” they feel here. They like being part of the legendary work ethic. They like the fact that, for the most part, they feel safe here. They like the fact that Nebraska agriculture helps to feed and power the world. But when people from other states ask them where they’re from, they sound apologetic. The Strategic Discussions for Nebraska team heard variations on that theme everywhere we went. Caleb Pollard, Executive Director of the Ord Chamber of Commerce said it best: “we need for Nebraskans to be proud.” Nebraska is a conservative state, both politically and fiscally. It is constitutionally required to balance the state budget. It is also a state with only 1.7 million people, so there are few people to share the property tax burden. Additionally, Nebraska doesn’t have mineral resources that some states tax heavily, relieving the property tax burden on individuals. However, Nebraska’s sales and income taxes are about the same as its peer states, a fact that is often overlooked when people share concerns about taxes. One of the state’s main concerns is the declining work force, particularly in greater Nebraska. This magazine contains several stories that refer to the work force shortage and the challenges faced by communities that desperately need workers. Nebraska’s Strong Agricultural Base Agriculture has changed in the last century, but it’s a booming business and Nebraskans are knowledgeable about those changes. They know the state is well-suited to growing highquality crops and animals, and they know people in the rest of the world want to buy them. They know the University of Nebraska’s research has been important for Nebraska agriculture, and they support the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Innovation Campus, which will be built in Lincoln on the site of the Nebraska State Fair when the fair moves to Grand Island in 2010. Nebraska exported nearly $5.5 billion dollars worth of agricultural and manufactured goods in 2008. That’s up from$3.6 billion in 2006 and $4.2 billion in 2007. According to Greg Ibach, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, exports bring the state a steady flow of domestic and international sales and allow the state to remain strong during financial cycles that affect the U.S. and other countries. Nebraska is fortunate to have not only the natural resources to produce some of the best agricultural products – and can source the needed parts and material for the manufactured products – but also has the people with the needed background, knowledge, experience and work ethic to produce the quality products, Ibach said. Importance of Education and Technology There are no greater proponents of education than people in greater Nebraska. The state’s education system is good and is one of the drawing cards for businesses interested in locating in the state. Nebraskans know that jobs today and in the future will require more knowledge of technology in all its forms. Whether people work in information technology in Omaha, farm near Cozad, ranch near Mullen, read x-rays in Ord, work on locomotives in Alliance or conduct research in one of dozens of locations in the state, they’ll have to know technology. Technology requires consistent broadband access and capacity that statewide, Nebraska just doesn’t have. A conversation participant who lives outside North Platte told us her satellite gives her access to the Internet “as long as it isn’t cloudy.” That isn’t good enough for the needs of rural health care, business development, education or for attracting young people to smaller communities. Infrastructure If a state doesn’t have good infrastructure, it closes doors to economic development and therefore, growth. Infrastructure necessary for every viable community includes water, sewer, electricity, roads and Internet access. Additional infrastructure needs are schools, health care facilities, power plants, transportation and communication. It’s expensive to build these things and expensive to maintain existing facilities. Dr. Doug Kristensen, Chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Kearney, told us many of the state’s school buildings were built about the same time – about 100 years ago – and are beginning to crumble, requiring extensive and costly repairs or replacement. Changing Nebraska’s Layout? The Strategic Discussions for Nebraska team interviewed a number of people who believe Nebraska should change its county structure. Ninety-three counties were needed when people had to use a horse and buggy to get to the county seat, but some say the state could save money if the counties were merged, creating about 15 larger counties. Others say there would be few dollars in savings and would widen the gap between greater Nebraska and eastern Nebraska in accessibility to services. Others suggest a “hub and spoke” regional layout, in which one town would be the hub and about 10 or 12 smaller communities would be the spokes. Trouble is, everybody wants to be the hub. What makes the most sense? Send your opinion to me at [email protected]. We’ll post the results on the Strategic Discussions for Nebraska website: www.unl.edu/sdn. Leadership and Cooperation People told us the state and communities need strong leaders who are willing to partner with other organizations, communities, states and countries for the good of Nebraska as a whole. It also needs leaders who will consider the needs of the entire state, regardless of money, power or special interests. In this magazine, you will find a variety of perspectives on Nebraska’s economy, including the opinions of state and community leaders, academics, business owners and government officials. Each opinion has value, based on the person’s experience, education, location and economic condition