G-38, 39 and 40: An artist's exploration of space

Three experiments are described which use space processing technology in the formation of and coating of bubbles and spheres to be orbited as sculptures visible from Earth. In one experiment, a 22,000 m1 sphere is to ride into orbit containing a 15 psi Earth atmosphere. Once in orbit, a controller directs a valve to open, linking the sphere to a vacuum of space. Technologies used in the fabrication of these art forms include vacuum film deposition and large bubble formation in the space environment

Application of Time-Frequency Representation to Non-Stationary Radar Cross Section

Radar Cross Section (RCS) imaging of a non-wide sense stationary signal poses significant problems in identifying scattering centers in the post processed radar- generated image. A non-wide sense stationary RCS is typically encountered when moving parts on the target impress a phase shift into the backscatter signal that is uncorrelated to the previous return pulse. When the Fourier transform of the phase shifted complex signal is taken, range and cross range information on scattering centers are misplaced. Time Frequency Representations (TFR) must be used to help locate these scattering centers so they can be properly treated to reduce the target’s RCS and increase its survivability. This thesis analyzes and compares various TFRs on non-wide sense stationary signals in hope of providing test centers with better methods for locating scattering centers under time variant conditions

Disparities in Hospital Services Utilization Among Patients with Mental Health Issues: A Statewide Example Examining Insurance Status and Race Factors from 1999-2010

There exist many disconnects between the mental and general health care sectors. However, a goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 is to change this by improving insurance access and the intersection of mental and general health care. As insurance status intersects with race, the present study examines how race, insurance status, and hospital mental health services utilization differ across groups within the state of New Jersey. The present study aims to determine trends in hospital mental health care utilization by insurance status and race from 1999 to 2010. The rate of self-pay for mental health disorders in the Black population was significantly higher than the rate for Whites and Asians during this period. However, though Asian mental health utilization increased the most over the 11-year period, the Asian population had the slowest growth in self-pay rates. ANOVA tests demonstrated significant differences in the rate of self-pay mental health cases between race groups (

Blaine it on Politics: The (Non-) Effect of Anti-Aid Amendments on Private School Choice Programs in the U.S. States

James G. Blaine was a prominent American politician of the late 19th Century. Although Blaine was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for President in 1884, U.S. Secretary of State, Speaker of the House, and a Senator from Maine, his primary legacy was the enshrinement of anti-aid amendments in the constitutions of 39 U.S. states. These so-called Blaine Amendments were designed to prohibit government funds from supporting sectarian religious organizations such as schools and charities. In Blaine\u27s day, sectarian was widely understood to be a euphemism for Catholic . Nondenominationally Protestant organizations such as the public schools of the day were considered to be non-sectarian and entirely worthy of government support. The Blaine Amendments ensured that government-sponsored schools in the U.S. would be pervasively Protestant, at least until religion was banned from public schools in the 1960s, and that Catholic schools would have to make do without any substantial financial assistance from the government

Slope Stability Evaluation and Equipment Setback Distances for Burial Ground Excavations

After 1970 Transuranic (TRU) and suspect TRU waste was buried in the ground with the intention that at some later date the waste would be retrieved and processed into a configuration for long term storage. To retrieve this waste the soil must be removed (excavated). Sloping the bank of the excavation is the method used to keep the excavation from collapsing and to provide protection for workers retrieving the waste. The purpose of this paper is to document the minimum distance (setback) that equipment must stay from the edge of the excavation to maintain a stable slope. This evaluation examines the equipment setback distance by dividing the equipment into two categories, (1) equipment used for excavation and (2) equipment used for retrieval. The section on excavation equipment will also discuss techniques used for excavation including the process of benching. Calculations 122633-C-004, 'Slope Stability Analysis' (Attachment A), and 300013-C-001, 'Crane Stability Analysis' (Attachment B), have been prepared to support this evaluation. As shown in the calculations the soil has the following properties: Unit weight 110 pounds per cubic foot; and Friction Angle (natural angle of repose) 38{sup o} or 1.28 horizontal to 1 vertical. Setback distances are measured from the top edge of the slope to the wheels/tracks of the vehicles and heavy equipment being utilized. The computer program utilized in the calculation uses the center of the wheel or track load for the analysis and this difference is accounted for in this evaluation

Cytokines at the Interplay Between Asthma and Atherosclerosis?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important comorbidity in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, evidence in highly prevalent respiratory disease such as asthma are still limited. Epidemiological and clinical data are not univocal in supporting the hypothesis that asthma and CVD are linked and the mechanisms of this relationship remain poorly defined. In this review, we explore the relationship between asthma and cardiovascular disease, with a specific focus on cytokine contribution to vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. This is important in the context of recent evidence linking broad inflammatory signaling to cardiovascular events. However inflammatory regulation in asthma is different to the one typically observed in atherosclerosis. We focus on the contribution of cytokine networks encompassing IL-4, IL-6, IL-9, IL-17A, IL-33 but also IFN-γ and TNF-α to vascular dysfunction in atherosclerosis. In doing so we highlight areas of unmet need and possible therapeutic implications

Plate-impact loading of cellular structures formed by selective laser melting

Studies of the shock loading of porous material have the potential to improve our understanding of factors such as density, crush strength and pore size on energy absorbing capability. Porous components were manufactured using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) in which layers of metal powder are fused together to create a structure specified by an electronic file. Samples have been manufactured in which a lattice is formed by an array of intersecting rods angled at 45 degrees to the surface of a 6 mm thick x ~100 mm diameter disc. The cell size is 1 mm3 and the density is 44.6% of solid. A 100 mm gas gun has been used to impact the porous samples onto solid stainless steel plates. Het-V laser interferometry was used to measure the velocity vs. time profile of the transmitted shock. The experimental results were compared with three dimensional computer predictions. It was found that the simulations reproduced the main features of the experimental record but tended to underestimate the measured velocities, suggesting that the codes were not calculating the energy absorbed by the lattice correctly. Additional calculations were performed with the aim of building a picture of the processes of energy absorption in cellular materials whose structure is varied systematically. These supporting studies suggest a possible explanation for the observed computational/experimental discrepancies. © 2012 British Crown

Glucagon receptor antagonist and GIP agonist combination for diet induced obese mice.

Ablation of glucagon receptor signaling represents a potential treatment option for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Additionally, activation of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor signaling also holds therapeutic promise for T2DM. Therefore, this study examined both independent and combined metabolic actions of desHis1Pro4Glu9(Lys12PAL)-glucagon (glucagon receptor antagonist) andd-Ala2GIP (GIP receptor agonist) in diet-induced obese mice. Glucagon receptor binding has been linked to alpha-helical structure and desHis1Pro4Glu9(Lys12PAL)-glucagon displayed enhanced alpha-helical content compared with native glucagon. In clonal pancreatic BRIN-BD11 beta-cells, desHis1Pro4Glu9(Lys12PAL)-glucagon was devoid of any insulinotropic or cAMP-generating actions, and did not impeded-Ala2GIP-mediated (P&lt;0.01 toP&lt;0.001) effects on insulin and cAMP production. Twice-daily injection of desHis1Pro4Glu9(Lys12PAL)-glucagon ord-Ala2GIP alone, and in combination, in high-fat-fed mice failed to affect body weight or energy intake. Circulating blood glucose levels were significantly (P&lt;0.05 toP&lt;0.01) decreased by all treatments regimens, with plasma and pancreatic insulin elevated (P&lt;0.05 toP&lt;0.001) in all mice receivingd-Ala2GIP. Interestingly, plasma glucagon concentrations were decreased (P&lt;0.05) by sustained glucagon inhibition (day 28), but increased (P&lt;0.05) byd-Ala2GIP therapy, with a combined treatment resulting in glucagon concentration similar to saline controls. All treatments improved (P&lt;0.01) intraperitoneal and oral glucose tolerance, and peripheral insulin sensitivity.d-Ala2GIP-treated mice showed increased glucose-induced insulin secretion in response to intraperitoneal and oral glucose. Metabolic rate and ambulatory locomotor activity were increased (P&lt;0.05 toP&lt;0.001) in all desHis1Pro4Glu9(Lys12PAL)-glucagon-treated mice. These studies highlight the potential of glucagon receptor inhibition alone, and in combination with GIP receptor activation, for T2DM treatment.</jats:p