7Li NMR of Normal Human Erythrocytes

Lithium has been known to be an effective medication for people with bipolar disorder. The mechanisms of action of lithium in the brain is not very well understood. NMR spectroscopy and imaging are effective both in determining lithium levels in tissue and brain. We have monitored lithium levels in red blood cells. We have been able to separate intra- and extracellular compartments of lithium using shift reagents, thereby obtaining T^1 \u27s of both the compartments. Lithium uptake as a function of hematocrit was monitored weekly over a 3 week period. The time constant of 50 mM lithium uptake at 25°C and 85% hematocrit was found to be 16.5 hrs. The time constant of 1.8 mM lithium uptake at 37 °C and 45% hematocrit was found to be 11.6 hrs. Experiments on the visibility of the quadrupolar nuclei indicate that it is only 74-90% visible and the visibility decreased with decreasing concentrations

Advance crew procedures development techniques: Procedures generation program requirements document

The Procedures Generation Program (PGP) is described as an automated crew procedures generation and performance monitoring system. Computer software requirements to be implemented in PGP for the Advanced Crew Procedures Development Techniques are outlined

Thin Film Deposition of Silicon for Solar Cell Applications

Thin films of silicon have been formed using a patented electrostatic deposition method which utilizes charged particle motion in an electric field. After deposition, the films are heat treated for varying times and temperatures in a programmable furnace maintained under a purified argon atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that these films were polycrystalline in nature. These films were found to have grain sizes of about 50 microns. Solar cells were fabricated using these large grained polycrystalline silicon films by sputtering pure gold as both front and back contacts. The cells have shown efficiencies of 1.8%. This paper reports on the growth of these large-grained polycrystalline thin silicon films and on the laser recrystallization setup to be used to increase the grain size up to 100 microns. Films grown via this electrostatic deposition method and subsequent laser recrystallization have a great potential for use in the solar cell industry

Crew procedures development techniques

The study developed requirements, designed, developed, checked out and demonstrated the Procedures Generation Program (PGP). The PGP is a digital computer program which provides a computerized means of developing flight crew procedures based on crew action in the shuttle procedures simulator. In addition, it provides a real time display of procedures, difference procedures, performance data and performance evaluation data. Reconstruction of displays is possible post-run. Data may be copied, stored on magnetic tape and transferred to the document processor for editing and documentation distribution

A 31P, 13C, and 1H NMR Study of the Direct Interaction of Cocaine HC1 and Magnesium ATP

In vivo 31P NMR studies recently have shown that cocaine causes an imbalance of the free magnesium in the brain which results in pH lowering, ischemia, and even death. This direct interaction with the free Mg+2 inthe brain also affects the Ca+2 balance which controls arterial and vascular contraction. This research has addressed the mechanism of the cocaine interaction withmagnesium adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) using 31P, 13C, and 1H NMR using a Bruker 200 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system. Data are presented and discussed which shows that cocaine and ATP form a complex species which directly affects the NMR spectra

Multiple Sample Cryostat for the Determination of Superconductor Properties

Cryostats which are currently used to characterize the properties of superconductors between 4 K and 100 K are primarily single sample devices. The purpose of this paper is to present an instrument design which can hold up to five (5) one cm. diameter samples at a stable temperature (+ /-0.1K) within the above range specified while measurements of the sample properties are made

Properties of Ruthenium Oxide Coatings

Ruthenium oxide coatings have been deposited on titanium substrates using a flood coating process. These films were heat treated for varying times and temperatures. The resulting films subsequently were characterized by performing resistivity and SEM analyses. Resistivity of the ruthenium oxide coating was found to be extremely dependent upon the firing temperature. Effect of the process conditions and formulations of the coatings on the morphology with respect to their electrical characteristics is presented. Capacitors were fabricated using plates coated with ruthenium oxide coatings. Capacitance versus heat treatment temperatures are discussed and at one firing temperature (480\u27C), the capacitance was 50 times the control capacitor value

Double Tuned Cosine Coil for NMR Imaging/Microscopy

The fabrication of a cosine coil having unevenly distributed struts is detailed. Placing the struts in such a manner enables a standing wave at the desired frequency and, hence, only one resonance frequency is obtained. This study details the fabrication of a cosine coil tuned to the LJ-7 frequency (77.76 MHz) and then double-tuned to the H-1 frequency (200.1 MHz) when operated at 4.7 Tesla. Double-tuning is attained by placing an LC trap in series with a capacitor used to single-tune the coil. Also, a method is suggested by which a cosine coil can be broadbanded in the lower frequency range simply by replacing a fixed capacitor

Knowledge About the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Employees at a Tertiary Cancer Center: Room for Improvement

Introduction: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for routine vaccination of boys and girls to protect against HPV-related cancers and genital warts. To meet the Healthy People 2020 target for HPV vaccination, health care providers must understand the importance of strongly recommending the HPV vaccine to all eligible adolescents. We sought to determine HPV vaccination patterns among employees at a tertiary cancer center and their children and attitudes regarding HPV vaccination among the employees. Methods: All employees at a tertiary cancer center were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey administered online during July and August 2015. The survey included questions about HPV vaccination of participants and their children, including reasons why vaccine-eligible employees and children had not been vaccinated. Results: Of those eligible, 13% of male and 33% of female employees and 44% of daughters and 24% of sons of employees had completed the vaccine series. The main reasons for not completing the series or not having one’s son completing the series were not knowing that the vaccine was needed and vaccine not recommended by a health care provider. The main reasons for not having one’s daughter complete the series were the two aforementioned reasons and daughter not yet sexually active. Conclusion: Opportunities exist to educate health care workers about the benefits of the HPV vaccine and to increase the number of providers who recommend HPV vaccination to their patients