Course and Exam Statistics in Electrical Engineering

This paper examines the course and national exam records for about fifty students in electrical engineering. The data includes the following: SAT/ACT scores, high school math and science grades, high school GPA, high school class rank, and grades for math, science, and engineering courses in the first two years of the major for undergraduates in electrical engineering. The data is analyzed seeking a correlation with success in the major which is measured by the cumulative GPA at or near graduation. Two types of correlation data are presented. First, correlation with individual data items and success in the major is established. The results of this analysis shows that there are better items that can be used to predict success in EE than the results of standardized test scores. Second, linear combinations of various data items or formed and an optimal weighting sequences is established for prediction of success in the major. The analysis may be useful to establish entrance requirements for high school students coming into the major and for consideration of upper level admission for those programs which further restrict entrance to the junior and senior level course work

Factors Regulating Methane Production and Oxidation in Two Shallow Arctic Alaskan Lakes

Methane (CH4) is second only to CO2 as a greenhouse gas and is produced in the terminal step of organic matter decomposition in anaerobic environments, including lake sediments. Given the widespread distribution of lakes in Arctic Alaska, CH4 emission from these lakes may significantly contribute to the atmospheric CH4 budget. Aerobic methane oxidizing bacteria consume CH4 diffusing from anaerobic zones of production, thereby modulating the flux of CH4 to the atmosphere. Multiple research efforts indicate a significant source strength for arctic environments in the atmospheric CH4 budget. Predicted climate induced alterations to the arctic landscape include increased organic matter loading from the terrestrial environment and increased temperature. These environmental changes can influence both rates of CH4 production and oxidation, possibly altering rates of CH4 exchange between shallow arctic lakes and the atmosphere. I assessed rates and controls on CH4 production and oxidation in two shallow arctic lakes to provide insight into the response of these two microbial groups to projected future climates. Rates of total methanogenesis and the fractional contribution of the acetoclastic pathway decreased with increasing depth below the sediment surface to 5 cm in both lakes. Substrate additions indicated substrate limitation to both methanogenic pathways (acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic). Rates of total methanogenesis varied spatially in the horizontal dimension in one lake only. However, there was no consistent relationship between rates of methanogenesis and depth of the overlying water as labile organic matter in the shallow sediments are likely resuspended and deposited unevenly by wind action. Under extant conditions, rates of methanogenesis responded positively to increases in temperature, while rates of CH4 oxidation remained unchanged. The former were controlled by substrate x temperature interactions, while the latter were regulated strictly by substrate supply. Analysis of CH4 oxidation kinetics for water samples points to a community of CH4 oxidizing bacteria that is capable of oxidizing CH4 at concentrations far in excess of observed levels. Increases in organic matter supply and temperature under future climates will likely increase rates of methanogenesis, but the impact may be fully mitigated by the excessive capacity of the CH4-oxidizing community to process the added substrate.Doctor of Philosoph

Evaluating starter fertilizer applications in grain sorghum production

Starter fertilizers have been documented as a successful practice for several crops. However, information on these fertilizer applications on grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is very limited. This research was conducted to evaluate the impact of in-furrow starter fertilizers on grain sorghum establishment and yields in the southern Great Plains. Studies were conducted at four sites across Oklahoma in 2014 and two sites in 2015. Trials evaluated eight in-furrow starter fertilizer treatments as well as a non-treated check. Stand counts were collected 1 mo following planting to evaluate impact on stand establishment. At maturity, plot grain weights were used to estimate grain yield. Starter fertilizer applied at high rates (187 L ha-1) reduced stands in four of six site locations by an average of 2.0 plants m-2. This resulted in nearly a 21% decrease in yields. Positive yield effects from in-furrow starter fertilizers were not consistent, with only one location having significantly greater yields compared with the non-treated check. The addition of fertilizer additives did not have a significant effect on sorghum yields. However, with the lack of positive yield results from in-furrow starter fertilizer, it was unexpected that these additives would provide additional yield. These results suggest little yield advantage of in-furrow starter fertilizers in grain sorghum production. Furthermore, if in-furrow starter fertilizers are used in sorghum production, higher application rates could result in decreased stand establishment, potentially resulting in lower yields.Peer reviewedPlant and Soil Science

NNAWG Meeting Minutes

Items discussed: Tribal School/UNO future educational partnerships; joint research and grant writing opportunities; scholarship opportunities and funding mechanisms; curriculum development for improving K - 12 mathematics, science, and technology education through the use of aeronautics; faculty enhancement workshops; development of a Nebraska Model of Best Practice; and future interstate, regional, and national Native American/NASA Space Grant initiatives. Asa result of this meeting, a number of annual scholarships and organizational enhancements were provided to the 2 tribal colleges and the 4 reservations schools. The working group met several times within the next few years and continues to maintain close contact with other members. In fact, it was not until this first UNO meeting that many of the administrators had ever met jointly to discuss pressing problems and possible partnerships

Texas EMS Magazine

Bimonthly magazine containing news and information that pertains to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. "The magazine's goals are to help organizations function professionally as EMS providers, to educate individuals so they can perform lifesaving prehospital skills under stressful conditions, and to help the public get into the EMS system when they need it" (p. 4)

Serving Texas Emergency Care Professionals

Bimonthly magazine containing news and information that pertains to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. "The magazine's goals are to help organizations function professionally as EMS providers, to educate individuals so they can perform lifesaving prehospital skills under stressful conditions, and to help the public get into the EMS system when they need it" (p. 4). Topics covered in this issue are EMS Week and Trauma Awareness Month, GETAC recap, Victoria bus crash, and emergency childbirth

Serving Texas Emergency Care Professionals

Bimonthly magazine containing news and information that pertains to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. "The magazine's goals are to help organizations function professionally as EMS providers, to educate individuals so they can perform lifesaving prehospital skills under stressful conditions, and to help the public get into the EMS system when they need it" (p. 4). This issue covers topics on EMS in El Dorado, GETAC recap, congestive heart failure, and Texas EMS Conference 2008

Texas EMS Magazine

Bimonthly magazine containing news and information that pertains to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. "The magazine's goals are to help organizations function professionally as EMS providers, to educate individuals so they can perform lifesaving prehospital skills under stressful conditions, and to help the public get into the EMS system when they need it" (p. 4)

Estimated size of the clinical medical imaging physics workforce in the United States

There is no current authoritative accounting of the number of clinical imaging physicists practicing in the United States. Information about the workforce is needed to inform future efforts to secure training pathways and opportunities. In this study, the AAPM Diagnostic Demand and Supply Projection Working Group collected lists of medical physicists from several state registration and licensure programs and the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) registry. By cross-referencing individuals among these lists, we were able to estimate the current imaging physics workforce in the United States by extrapolating based on population. The imaging physics workforce in the United States in 2019 consisted of approximately 1794 physicists supporting diagnostic X-ray (1073 board-certified) and 934 physicists supporting nuclear medicine (460 board-certified), with a number of individuals practicing in both subfields. There were an estimated 235 physicists supporting nuclear medicine exclusively (150 board-certified). The estimated total workforce, accounting for overlap, was 2029 medical physicists. These estimates are in approximate agreement with other published studies of segments of the workforce

Texas EMS Magazine

Bimonthly magazine containing news and information that pertains to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. "The magazine's goals are to help organizations function professionally as EMS providers, to educate individuals so they can perform lifesaving prehospital skills under stressful conditions, and to help the public get into the EMS system when they need it" (p. 4)