Spotlight on Scholarly Commons, June 2017 - Prescott

Faculty with notable downloads: Timothy Holt Mohammad Moallemi Linda Wieland Matt Earnhardt Sonya McMullen Prescott Faculty Submission Statistics: Total Papers: 148 All-time Downloads: 84,574 June Downloads: 1,189 Other Interesting Information: Issues of the Pioneer, ERAU Prescott\u27s official newspaper 1978-1983 have been digitized and published. Several SelectedWorks sites have been created. *Statistics are for the Prescott Campus publication

Scholarly Commons Annual Report 2017-2018

Scholarly Commons continues to showcase ERAU research globally. While the number of submissions increased by 11.85% over FY 17, downloads grew by 43.89% in FY 18. In addition, new conferences, such as the 2018 International Civil Aviation English Association (ICAEA) and ERAU’s AviAsian Conference, were added. The annual ICAEA Conference is held in a different international location each year and the Daytona Beach Campus served as the host this year. The AviAsian Conference is sponsored on ERAU’s Singapore Campus by faculty from that area

Reproducibility of an isokinetic eccentric muscle endurance task

Despite the widespread use of isokinetic eccentric muscle endurance protocols, no research has examined the absolute and relative reliability of such tests. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of an isokinetic eccentric knee muscle endurance task. Fifteen healthy untrained males volunteered to take part in the study and written informed consent was obtained. The procedures received approval from the University Research Ethics Committee. Participants visited the laboratory on three separate occasions: 2 weeks before testing to familiarize them with the experimental procedures, and on two separate occasions, 2 weeks apart and at the same time of day. Isokinetic eccentric knee extension and flexion movements of the dominant limb were performed using a calibrated dynamometer (Biodex System 3). Range of motion during testing was set using voluntary maximal full extension (0 rad) to 1.57 rad of knee flexion and testing was conducted at 1.56 rad . s(-1). Participants performed four maximal efforts to determine maximal peak torque. After 2 min rest, participants completed the all-out endurance test of 50 continuous eccentric repetitions. Data were gravity corrected and windowed to only include constant velocity periods. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were used to examine differences in maximal peak extension and flexion torque and the maximal torque measurement recorded during the endurance test. Absolute and relative reliability of the torque fatigue index, work fatigue index, and total work were assessed through calculation of intra-class correlation coefficients, coefficients of variation, and absolute 95% limits of agreement using the methods described by Bland and Altman (1986). Differences between the strength test and the endurance trial for peak torque were found to be non-significant for both quadriceps (323 vs. 323 N . m) and hamstrings (183 vs. 178 N . m). The intra-class correlation coefficients revealed significant (P<0.05) positive moderate to strong correlations (r=0.44-0.94) across repeated trials for all parameters except hamstring torque fatigue (P=0.11) and hamstring work fatigue index (P=0.08). Coefficients of variation ranged from 6% to 48% and were large for the work fatigue index and torque fatigue index but acceptable for total work for both the extensors and flexors. The 95% limits of agreement indicated systematic bias in repeated trials for both the work fatigue index and torque fatigue index for extensors and flexors, ranging from -3% to -10%, with less fatigue evident in the second test. There was also systematic bias for total work, with more work being performed during the second than the first test for both extensors and flexors. The random error was large for all variables and there was greater random error in the hamstrings compared with the quadriceps. Together with moderate to strong intra-class correlation coefficients and large coefficients of variation, the data suggest that there is small systematic bias in repeated eccentric muscle actions for both the quadriceps and hamstrings, although the random error was large despite habituation procedures. Therefore, data from an isokinetic eccentric muscle endurance task should be viewed with some caution even when participants receive considerable habituation before assessment

'Nordic' Hamstrings Exercise - Engagement Characteristics and Training Responses

The present study examined the neuromuscular activation characteristics of the hamstrings during the 'Nordic' hamstrings exercise (NHE) and changes in the eccentric strength of the knee flexors with NHE training. Initially, the normalised root mean square electromyographic (EMG) activity of the hamstrings of both limbs during various phases (90-61 degrees, 60-31 degrees and 30-0 degrees of knee extension) of the NHE were determined in 18 soccer players. Subsequently participants were randomly allocated to either a training (n = 10) or control group. The isokinetic eccentric peak torques of the dominant and non-dominant limbs were recorded at 60, 120 and 240 degrees/s pre- and post-training. The EMG values of both limbs were comparable (P = 0.184) and greater EMG activity was recorded at more extended knee positions of the NHE (P = 0.001). 4 weeks of NHE training significantly improved peak torque by up to 21% in all assessment conditions. Data indicate the hamstrings of both limbs are engaged identically during the NHE and training results in gains in the eccentric peak torque of the hamstrings of both limbs; these gains may augment the force that the hamstrings can withstand when forcefully stretched, attenuating injury risk

Development of novel methods for non-canonical myeloma protein analysis with an innovative adaptation of immunofixation electrophoresis, native top-down mass spectrometry, and middle-down de novo sequencing

OBJECTIVES: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell neoplasm, requiring the integration of clinical examination, laboratory and radiological investigations for diagnosis. Detection and isotypic identification of the monoclonal protein(s) and measurement of other relevant biomarkers in serum and urine are pivotal analyses. However, occasionally this approach fails to characterize complex protein signatures. Here we describe the development and application of next generation mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, and a novel adaptation of immunofixation, to interrogate non-canonical monoclonal immunoproteins. METHODS: Immunoprecipitation immunofixation (IP-IFE) was performed on a Sebia Hydrasys Scan2. Middle-down de novo sequencing and native MS were performed with multiple instruments (21T FT-ICR, Q Exactive HF, Orbitrap Fusion Lumos, and Orbitrap Eclipse). Post-acquisition data analysis was performed using Xcalibur Qual Browser, ProSight Lite, and TDValidator. RESULTS: We adapted a novel variation of immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) with an antibody-specific immunosubtraction step, providing insight into the clonal signature of gamma-zone monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-protein) species. We developed and applied advanced mass spectrometric techniques such as middle-down de novo sequencing to attain in-depth characterization of the primary sequence of an M-protein. Quaternary structures of M-proteins were elucidated by native MS, revealing a previously unprecedented non-covalently associated hetero-tetrameric immunoglobulin. CONCLUSIONS: Next generation proteomic solutions offer great potential for characterizing complex protein structures and may eventually replace current electrophoretic approaches for the identification and quantification of M-proteins. They can also contribute to greater understanding of MM pathogenesis, enabling classification of patients into new subtypes, improved risk stratification and the potential to inform decisions on future personalized treatment modalities

Enhanced water loss during the Mars Year 34 C storm

We investigate the evolving water vapour and hydrogen distribution in the martian atmosphere and their associated effect on hydrogen escape during the Mars Year (MY) 34 C storm (a late winter regional dust storm that occurs every Mars year). Improved calculation of the integrated loss of water throughout Mars‘ history (that is currently not well constrained) is possible throughtracking the water loss through time from global simulations constrained by available observations. Through constraining water loss we can provide better insight into planetary evolution. The Open University modelling group global circulation model is combined with retrievals from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (temperature and water vapour profiles from the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite and water vapour profiles from the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery instrument) and the Mars Climate Sounder (temperature profiles and dust column) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This multi-spacecraft assimilation provides the best possible replication of the evolving lower atmosphere. The unusually intense dusty conditions during the MY 34 C storm led to increased amounts of water vapour and hydrogen above 80 km compared to a more typical C storm, which had an important impact on the amount of water escaping Mars’ atmosphere. Modelled hydrogen escape rates during the MY 34 C storm peaked at around 1.4 x 109 cm-2 s-1, three times the escape rate calculated in the MY 30 C storm scenario and equivalent to those found during previous global-scale dust storms. The weak MY 30 C storm and strong MY 34 C storm can be seen as a bracketing pair of events and therefore the calculated escape rates represent the interannual variabiity expected during C storm events. Our results indicate water loss during the C storm event each year is highly variable, and must be considered when calculating the integrated loss of water through Mars’ history

Mosaic: A Satellite Constellation to Enable Groundbreaking Mars Climate System Science and Prepare for Human Exploration

The Martian climate system has been revealed to rival the complexity of Earth\u27s. Over the last 20 yr, a fragmented and incomplete picture has emerged of its structure and variability; we remain largely ignorant of many of the physical processes driving matter and energy flow between and within Mars\u27 diverse climate domains. Mars Orbiters for Surface, Atmosphere, and Ionosphere Connections (MOSAIC) is a constellation of ten platforms focused on understanding these climate connections, with orbits and instruments tailored to observe the Martian climate system from three complementary perspectives. First, low-circular near-polar Sun-synchronous orbits (a large mothership and three smallsats spaced in local time) enable vertical profiling of wind, aerosols, water, and temperature, as well as mapping of surface and subsurface ice. Second, elliptical orbits sampling all of Mars\u27 plasma regions enable multipoint measurements necessary to understand mass/energy transport and ion-driven escape, also enabling, with the polar orbiters, dense radio occultation coverage. Last, longitudinally spaced areostationary orbits enable synoptic views of the lower atmosphere necessary to understand global and mesoscale dynamics, global views of the hydrogen and oxygen exospheres, and upstream measurements of space weather conditions. MOSAIC will characterize climate system variability diurnally and seasonally, on meso-, regional, and global scales, targeting the shallow subsurface all the way out to the solar wind, making many first-of-their-kind measurements. Importantly, these measurements will also prepare for human exploration and habitation of Mars by providing water resource prospecting, operational forecasting of dust and radiation hazards, and ionospheric communication/positioning disruptions

Investigations of the Mars Upper Atmosphere with ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

The Martian mesosphere and thermosphere, the region above about 60 km, is not the primary target of the ExoMars 2016 mission but its Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) can explore it and address many interesting issues, either in-situ during the aerobraking period or remotely during the regular mission. In the aerobraking phase TGO peeks into thermospheric densities and temperatures, in a broad range of latitudes and during a long continuous period. TGO carries two instruments designed for the detection of trace species, NOMAD and ACS, which will use the solar occultation technique. Their regular sounding at the terminator up to very high altitudes in many different molecular bands will represent the first time that an extensive and precise dataset of densities and hopefully temperatures are obtained at those altitudes and local times on Mars. But there are additional capabilities in TGO for studying the upper atmosphere of Mars, and we review them briefly. Our simulations suggest that airglow emissions from the UV to the IR might be observed outside the terminator. If eventually confirmed from orbit, they would supply new information about atmospheric dynamics and variability. However, their optimal exploitation requires a special spacecraft pointing, currently not considered in the regular operations but feasible in our opinion. We discuss the synergy between the TGO instruments, specially the wide spectral range achieved by combining them. We also encourage coordinated operations with other Mars-observing missions capable of supplying simultaneous measurements of its upper atmosphere

Detection of the Nitric Oxide Dayglow on Mars by MAVEN/IUVS

We report the first remote observation of nitric oxide (NO) densities on Mars. The Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) on NASA\u27s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) satellite observes NO γ band solar resonance fluorescence between 213.0 and 225.5 nm. We invert an average dayglow limb radiance profile to retrieve a number density profile between 80 and 130 km. The retrieved IUVS NO number density at 117 km is 5 times smaller than those measured by Viking mass spectrometers over 40 years ago but consistent with photochemical model results within the IUVS statistical uncertainty. These observations may therefore help to reconcile a longstanding problem in our understanding of NO photochemistry in the Martian upper atmosphere. We also report the first detection of the CO+ First Negative bands in the Martian dayglow near 219 nm