Substituted silane-diol polymers have improved thermal stability

Organosilicon polymers were synthesized to produce improved physical and chemical properties, including high thermal stability. Of the polymers produced, poly/4, 4 prime-bisoxybi- phenylene/diphenylsilane, formed from bis/anilino/diphenylsilane and p, p prime-biphenol, was found to have the most desirable properties

Suitability of commercially available laboratory cryogenic refrigerators to support shipboard electro-optical systems in the 10 - 77 Kelvin region

The primary development of cryogenically cooled infrared systems was accomplished by FLIR systems designed for airborne, passive night vision. Essential to the development of these FLIR systems was a family of closed cycle refrigerators which had to meet a limited envelope requirement, utilize a nonlubricated compressor module, and be light in weight. Closed cycle refrigerators accomplished the same cooling function, they use modified oil lubricated reciprocating compressors which are limited in their axis of orientation to an angle of approximately 15-20 degrees maximum from horizon

The extension of the thermal-vacuum test optimization program to multiple flights

The thermal vacuum test optimization model developed to provide an approach to the optimization of a test program based on prediction of flight performance with a single flight option in mind is extended to consider reflight as in space shuttle missions. The concept of 'utility', developed under the name of 'availability', is used to follow performance through the various options encountered when the capabilities of reflight and retrievability of space shuttle are available. Also, a 'lost value' model is modified to produce a measure of the probability of a mission's success, achieving a desired utility using a minimal cost test strategy. The resulting matrix of probabilities and their associated costs provides a means for project management to evaluate various test and reflight strategies

SU(3) Revisited

The ``$D$'' matrices for all states of the two fundamental representations and octet are shown in the generalized Euler angle parameterization. The raising and lowering operators are given in terms of linear combinations of the left invariant vector fields of the group manifold in this parameterization. Using these differential operators the highest weight state of an arbitrary irreducible representation is found and a description of the calculation of Clebsch-Gordon coefficients is given.Comment: 22 pages LaTe

Leadership Development in Undergraduate Nursing Students

The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of an active learning approach to leadership development in senior nursing students. Nursing students need leadership development to become better prepared for their role as leaders of care at the bedside of patients. The healthcare industry is becoming increasingly complex and requires students to have leadership skills to aide in executing proper provision of care. This study will attempt to assess the results of one of these programs. This study uses a pre- post-survey design to understand the outcomes associated with one nursing programs implementation of an active learning course on leadership within their undergraduate curriculum. Data for this study was collected via Qualtrics survey at the beginning and end of the semester a cohort of students from the Spring 2021. The course consists of active learning strategies such as experiential activities, group projects, and projects that required students to apply leadership concepts to their concurrent clinical setting. Approximately 110 students have completed surveys. Results: Preliminary results indicate that students improve in many aspects of leadership. The greatest growth appears to occur in students comfort participating in quality improvement principles and processes and understanding of effective leadership strategies. By measuring the outcomes of courses and programs designed to establish these skills we are able to contribute to the knowledge base of the most effective methods of educating nursing students on leadership

Determining if host serum IgG titer is associated with Toxoplasma gondii virulence

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis in animals and humans. One third of the world’s human population is chronically infected with this parasite (1). Toxoplasma gondii has two infectious forms: oocysts shed in the feces of felids (domestic and wild cats) and tissue cysts in chronically infected animals (Figure 1). Humans may become infected via ingestion of food or water contaminated with oocysts, the consumption of tissue cysts in undercooked meats, or vertical transmission from the mother to the fetus. Previous studies have found that T. gondii strains from South America are genetically diverse from and tend to be more virulent and causing more severe diseases in humans than strains from elsewhere (2). Also, a previous study found that higher anti-Toxoplasma IgG levels were correlated with severity of toxoplasmosis in humans (3). We hypothesize that more virulent strains can induce a stronger immune response to chronic infection than less virulent strains, resulting in higher IgG antibody levels in the hosts. To test this hypothesis, we used the modified agglutination test (MAT) to measure anti-Toxoplasma IgG levels in serum samples from animals (cats & dogs) and humans from South America and elsewhere. The IgG titers were then compared to determine if IgG level can be used as a marker to predict parasite virulence at the population level

Bankruptcy Prediction, Gold, and the Great Auto Bailout

With recent economic instability, bankruptcy prediction is a tool that is useful to companies and researchers who are interested in the financial stability of an industry or company. This thesis studies bankruptcy prediction during the most recent recession that occurred in the United States for General Motors with Ford as a comparison company and compares the possibility of bankruptcy to the price of gold per ounce for the corresponding year. The multiple discriminant analysis model was used to complete this research. This model uses financial ratios to predict bankruptcy. This research yielded an inverse relationship between the price of gold per ounce and the z-scores for both Ford and General Motors. This inverse relationship shows a correlation between bankruptcy prediction and the price of gold