Tribomaterial factors in space mechanism brake performance

The asbestos/phenolic pads of Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) brakes are unsuitable for use in long life space mechanisms because their friction decreases on extended sliding in high vacuum. Dehydration of the material and accumulation of wear debris in the conforming interface of this tribosystem induces the permanent friction changes. Other polymer and some ceramic based materials exhibit similar frictional torque behavior due to the development of minimal contact patches by the interfacial debris. In contrast, high friction occurs when other ceramics form many small contacts throughout fine debris beds. Generating this latter interfacial structure during run-in ensures that the in-vacuo friction remains stable thereafter. Such materials with low wear rates are potential candidates for friction elements in SSRMS and similar mechanisms

The Vision of the International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine (I2NM2)

Translational Medicine and Nanoscience PanelThe International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine (I2NM2) of the University of Missouri-Columbia is embarking upon an in-depth study of cancer therapy using the boron neutron capture reaction, the only binary radiation therapy of its type. To accomplish this extensive study the I2NM2 will lead by devising delivery vehicles for boron-10 which are specific for cancer cells. This study could benefit from collaboration with a research group interested in assisting us in the very extensive evaluation of new boron species in bio-distribution at I2NM2 and therapeutic work at the MU nuclear reactor (MURR). This would, above all, involve maintaining the supply of tumor-bearing mice using a variety of tumor models, cellular biology as it relates to therapeutic results, and treatment of experimental therapeutic data. The ultimate purpose of this initial study would be identification of superior boron target species which could then be evaluated in larger animals and eventually in humans

Tuberculosis in Man, Dog and Cat: An Investigation into the Inter-Relation of Tuberculosis between Humans and Their Domestic Pets

1. An account is given of an investigation, extending over eight years, into the inter-relation of tuberculosis between man, and his domestic pets, the dog and cat; with particular reference to the ecological aspects of the infection, whether or not it was a zoonosis, and if so, its epidemiological significance. 2. The method of investigation was by a combined medical and veterinary approach, aimed at ascertaining the incidence of tuberculosis among apparently healthy animals in contact with active tuberculosis in humans, and among humans -in contact with animals dying of tuberculosis. 3. The investigation included an attempt to refine existing methods of diagnosis of tuberculosis in dogs and cats, by the development of B.C.G. as a test of immunity, in place of P.P.D. tuberculin, which was found to be both ineffective and unreliable. 4. A questionnaire was devised to elicit the required ecological details; and then distributed by the Feline Advisory Bureau to 750 individuals in the British Isles, Western Europe and the United States of America. 5. M. tuberculosis of human origin, was recovered from 4 dogs and 3 cats in a group of 48 animals, exposed to active tuberculosis in their owners, and from one cat in a further, similar group of 22 animals. The presence of these bacilli, which were of normal virulence, was not accompanied by pathological changes typical of tuberculosis; and it was concluded that the bacilli were probably present as commensals in highly resistant animals. 6. The atypical pathological changes, described as sinus catarrh, in isolated glands of the animals producing growths of M. tuberculosis, suggested further studies to determine if these changes might be related to sarcoidosis or an early, latent, phase of a tuberculous infection in a highly resistant animal. 7. The dangers of the apparently healthy domestic pet, excreting viable and virulent tubercle bacilli, indicated the advisability of proscribing the animal for a period of several months, following the detection of an active case among the human members of the household. 8. Three quarters of the human contacts of 31 dogs dying of tuberculosis were traced, half of them to the owner, or a member of his family, but in seven cases to a neighbour or a previous owner. Of the total of 354 human contacts, 41 (11.86%) were found to have had active tuberculosis at a material time in their association with the sick animal. 9. While the definition of the exact hazard of the tuberculous animal to its owner needed a more comprehensive, and inflexibly applied study of the human contacts, including Mantoux testing, and a new method of identifying identical growths obtained from owner and pet, the present investigation made it clear that the diagnosis of tuberculosis in a domestic animal, should be subject to the same statutory notification to the Public Health Authority, as was required in the case of a tuberculous human. 10. The intradermal injection of 0.1 ml. of B.C.G., producing a papule which ulcerated before 14 days (average interval from injection to ulceration, 9 days for cats and 11 days for dogs), was interpreted as the early, immune, 'positive' reaction of the infected animal; whereas a papule ulcerating after 14 days (average interval from injection to ulceration, 22 days for cats and 24 days for dogs), was taken as the late, non-immune, 'negative' reaction of the un-infected animal. The earlier the appearance of the ulcer, i.e., an accelerated, early, immune, 'positive' reaction, the more likely the animal to be suffering from an active tuberculosis infection. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Making automation pay - cost & throughput trade-offs in the manufacture of large composite components

The automation of complex manufacturing operations can provide significant savings over manual processes, and there remains much scope for increasing automation in the production of large scale structural composites. However the relationships between driving variables are complex, and the achievable throughput rate and corresponding cost for a given design are often not apparent. The deposition rate, number of machines required and unit production rates needed are interrelated and consequently the optimum unit cost is difficult to predict. A detailed study of the costs involved for a series of composite wing cover panels with different manufacturing requirements was undertaken. Panels were sized to account for manufacturing requirements and structural load requirements allowing both manual and automated lay-up procedures to influence design. It was discovered that the introduction of automated tape lay-up can significantly reduce material unit cost, and improve material utilisation, however higher production rates are needed to see this benefit

A Method for Calibration of the Local Magnitude Scale Based on Relative Spectral Amplitudes, and Application to the San Juan Bautista, California, Area

We develop and use a spectral empirical Green’s function approach to estimate the relative source amplitudes of earthquakes near San Juan Bautista, California. We isolate the source amplitudes from path effects by comparing the recorded spectra of pairs of events with similar location and focal mechanism, without computing the path effect. With this method, we estimate the relative moments of 1600 M 1.5–4 local earthquakes, and we use these moments to recalibrate the duration magnitude scale in this region. The estimated moments of these small earthquakes increase with catalog magnitude MD roughly proportionally to 101.1MD, slightly more slowly than a moment‐magnitude scaling of 101.5Mw. This more accurate magnitude scaling can be used in analyses of the local earthquakes, such as comparisons between the seismic moments and geodetic observations

Low zinc status and absorption exist in infants with jejunostomies or ileostomies which persists after intestinal repair.

There is very little data regarding trace mineral nutrition in infants with small intestinal ostomies. Here we evaluated 14 infants with jejunal or ileal ostomies to measure their zinc absorption and retention and biochemical zinc and copper status. Zinc absorption was measured using a dual-tracer stable isotope technique at two different time points when possible. The first study was conducted when the subject was receiving maximal tolerated feeds enterally while the ostomy remained in place. A second study was performed as soon as feasible after full feeds were achieved after intestinal repair. We found biochemical evidence of deficiencies of both zinc and copper in infants with small intestinal ostomies at both time points. Fractional zinc absorption with an ostomy in place was 10.9% ± 5.3%. After reanastamosis, fractional zinc absorption was 9.4% ± 5.7%. Net zinc balance was negative prior to reanastamosis. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that infants with a jejunostomy or ileostomy are at high risk for zinc and copper deficiency before and after intestinal reanastamosis. Additional supplementation, especially of zinc, should be considered during this time period

Use of Spiritual Coping Strategies by Gender, Race/Ethnicity and Religion at 1 and 3 months after Infant’s/Child’s Intensive Care Unit Death

Background and purpose In the US, 57,000 children (newborn-18 years) die annually. Bereaved parents may rely on religious or spiritual beliefs in their grief. The study’s purpose was to examine differences in parents’ use of spiritual and religious coping practices by gender, race/ethnicity and religion at one and three months after infant/ICU death. Methods The sample consisted of 165 bereaved parents; 78% minority. The Spiritual Coping Strategies Scale was used to measure religious and spiritual coping practices, separately. One-way ANOVAs indicated that Black non-Hispanic mothers used significantly more religious coping practices at 3 months than White non-Hispanic mothers. Protestant and Catholic parents used more religious coping practices than the “no” and “other” religion groups at 1 and 3 months. Within the 30 mother-father dyads (paired t-tests), mothers reported significantly greater use of religious coping practices at 1 and 3 months and spiritual coping practices at 3 months than fathers. Conclusion Religious coping practices were most commonly used by Black mothers and Protestant and Catholic parents. Within dyads, mothers used more spiritual and religious coping practices than fathers

Psychometric Evaluation of the Spanish and English Versions of the Spiritual Coping Strategies Scale

The Spiritual Coping Strategies (SCS) Scale measures how frequently religious and nonreligious (spiritual) coping strategies are used to cope with a stressful experience. This study’s purpose is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly translated Spanish version of the SCS. A total of 51 bilingual adults completed the SCS in Spanish and English, with 25 completing them again 2–3 weeks later. Internal consistency reliability for the Spanish (r = 0.83) and English (r = 0.82) versions of the SCS in the total sample were good. Test–retest reliability was .84 for the Spanish and .80 for the English version. Spanish and English responses to the SCS items and the resulting score for the subscales and the total scale were not significantly different. Scores on the English and Spanish versions were correlated as expected with time since the stressful event and happiness with family and with spouse or partner, supporting the validity of the Spanish SCS. Study findings support the reliability and validity of the newly translated Spanish SCS

The Midspan studies

No abstract available