Acoustic Noise Prediction of the Amine Swingbed ISS ExPRESS Rack Payload

Acoustics plays a vital role in maintaining the health, safety, and comfort of crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In order to maintain this livable and workable environment, acoustic requirements have been established to ensure that ISS hardware and payload developers account for the acoustic emissions of their equipment and develop acoustic mitigations as necessary. These requirements are verified by an acoustic emissions test of the integrated hardware. The Amine Swingbed ExPRESS (Expedite the PRocessing of ExperimentS to Space) rack payload creates a unique challenge to the developers in that the payload hardware is transported to the ISS in phases, making an acoustic emissions test on the integrated flight hardware impossible. In addition, the payload incorporates a high back pressure fan and a diaphragm vacuum pump, which are recognized as significant and complex noise sources. In order to accurately predict the acoustic emissions of the integrated payload, the individual acoustic noise sources and paths are first characterized. These characterizations are conducted though a series of acoustic emissions tests on the individual payload components. Secondly, the individual acoustic noise sources and paths are incorporated into a virtual model of the integrated hardware. The virtual model is constructed with the use of hybrid method utilizing the Finite Element Acoustic (FEA) and Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) techniques, which predict the overall acoustic emissions. Finally, the acoustic model is validated though an acoustic characterization test performed on an acoustically similar mock-up of the flight unit. The results of the validated acoustic model are then used to assess the acoustic emissions of the flight unit and define further acoustic mitigation efforts

A Vision of Peace Through U.S. Leadership: President Jimmy Carter\u27s Moral Foreign Policy Vision and the Panama Canal Treaties

This thesis examines President Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy and his administration’s campaign to promote the ratification of the Panama Canal treaties from 1977 to 1978. I argue that President Carter’s administration developed a coherent foreign policy vision that was inspired by moral convictions and aimed to promote international peace. The fundamental aspects of this vision are reflected in the Panama Canal treaties. During the turbulent Senate debate over the treaties, opposition arguments attacking President Carter’s moral policy encouraged the Carter administration to favor more pragmatic arguments in support of the treaties, which ultimately obscured President Carter’s overarching foreign policy vision. This study demonstrates how the efforts of a single president can significantly change the direction of American foreign policy, yet also reveals the tentative nature of such changes

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Desmotomies in Sheep Resulting in Peroneus Tertius Injury

Surgical destabilization of the stifle joint via cranial cruciate ligament desmotomy (CCLD) is a routine procedure for the study of osteoarthritis (OA). Traditionally performed in rats, rabbits, cats, and dogs, CCLD in sheep provides an opportunity to study the pathology and treatment of joint instability in a species whose stifle better represents the equivalent human femorotibial joint. The surgical approaches for CCLD in sheep are variable and can result in inconsistent outcomes. Eight sheep underwent CCLD for use in a gene therapy study. We report this case in which six of the eight sheep were clinically diagnosed by pathognomonic signs and later confirmed by postmortem dissection, with injury of the peroneus tertius (PT) muscle. The PT plays a crucial role in the normal gait of large animals, including sheep. Injury to the PT results in failure of the reciprocal apparatus of the hind limb in which the hock can be extended during stifle flexion creating a varied gait and an indiscriminate increase in instability of the stifle and hock joints. Restricted movement postoperatively may provide decreased variability in surgical outcomes. Alternatively, increased stifle instability via CCLD coupled with PT transection or PT transection alone could potentially provide a superior model of stifle instability and OA development in sheep

Assessing the performance and efficiency of environmental DNA/RNA capture methodologies under controlled experimental conditions

Growing interest and affordability of environmental DNA and RNA (eDNA and eRNA) approaches for biodiversity assessments and monitoring of complex ecosystems have led to the emergence of manifold protocols for nucleic acids (NAs) isolation and processing. Although there is no consensus on a standardized workflow, the common practice for water samples is to concentrate NAs via filtration using varying pore size membranes. Using the smallest pore is assumed to be most efficient for NAs capture from a wide range of material (including sub-cellular particles); however, a trade-off must occur between detection of a meaningful molecular signal and cost/time effort when processing samples using fine pore membranes. Comparative studies involving formal efficiency assessments are lacking, which restricts informed decision-making around an optimized sampling approach for applications such as biosurveillance (i.e. detection and monitoring of target taxa—nuisance organisms, endangered and indicator taxa or other species of economic or cultural importance). Here, we present an experimental study using an easily cultured microalgal species (Alexandrium pacificum) to test different filter membranes for capturing NAs in the context of cost/time effort and cell fractions encountered in nature (whole cells, partially lysed and naked NAs). The results showed no statistically significant difference between membrane types for capturing target eDNA signal from intact and partially lysed cell treatments. In terms of time effort and volume processed, higher efficiency ratings were obtained with the larger pore size (5 μm) cellulose membranes. Positively charged nylon demonstrated enhanced capture of naked NAs, and especially eRNA signal, across treatments. Our findings support using coarse pore size filters for adequate capture of target NA signal (from both eDNA and eRNA) with less processing time. The framework presented here can provide a quick and robust feasibility check and comparative assessment of new and existing NA processing technologies, and allows sufficient control over multiple parameters, including physical–chemical water properties, temporal scales, and concentration and type of input material

Global impact of bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis

Educational aims To recognise the clinical and radiological presentation of the spectrum of diseases associated with bronchiectasis.; To understand variation in the aetiology, microbiology and burden of bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis across different global healthcare systems.; Bronchiectasis is the term used to refer to dilatation of the bronchi that is usually permanent and is associated with a clinical syndrome of cough, sputum production and recurrent respiratory infections. It can be caused by a range of inherited and acquired disorders, or may be idiopathic in nature. The most well recognised inherited disorder in Western countries is cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive condition that leads to progressive bronchiectasis, bacterial infection and premature mortality. Both bronchiectasis due to CF and bronchiectasis due to other conditions are placing an increasing burden on healthcare systems internationally. Treatments for CF are becoming more effective leading to more adult patients with complex healthcare needs. Bronchiectasis not due to CF is becoming increasingly recognised, particularly in the elderly population. Recognition is important and can lead to identification of the underlying cause, appropriate treatment and improved quality of life. The disease is highly diverse in its presentation, requiring all respiratory physicians to have knowledge of the different “bronchiectasis syndromes”. The most common aetiologies and presenting syndromes vary depending on geography, with nontuberculous mycobacterial disease predominating in some parts of North America, post-infectious and idiopathic disease predominating in Western Europe, and post-tuberculosis bronchiectasis dominating in South Asia and Eastern Europe. Ongoing global collaborative studies will greatly advance our understanding of the international impact of bronchiectasis and CF

Adiponectin reduces glomerular endothelial glycocalyx disruption and restores glomerular barrier function in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes

Adiponectin has vascular anti-inflammatory and protective effects. Although adiponectin protects against the development of albuminuria, historically, the focus has been on podocyte protection within the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). The first barrier to albumin in the GFB is the endothelial glycocalyx (eGlx), a surface gel-like barrier covering glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs). In diabetes, eGlx dysfunction occurs before podocyte damage; hence, we hypothesized that adiponectin could protect from eGlx damage to prevent early vascular damage in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Globular adiponectin (gAd) activated AMPK signaling in human GEnCs through AdipoR1. It significantly reduced eGlx shedding and the TNF-α–mediated increase in syndecan-4 (SDC4) and MMP2 mRNA expression in GEnCs in vitro. It protected against increased TNF-α mRNA expression in glomeruli isolated from db/db mice and against expression of genes associated with glycocalyx shedding (namely, SDC4, MMP2, and MMP9). In addition, gAd protected against increased glomerular albumin permeability (Ps’alb) in glomeruli isolated from db/db mice when administered intraperitoneally and when applied directly to glomeruli (ex vivo). Ps’alb was inversely correlated with eGlx depth in vivo. In summary, adiponectin restored eGlx depth, which was correlated with improved glomerular barrier function, in diabetes

Robust tests for heteroskedasticity in the one-way error components model

This paper constructs tests for heteroskedasticity in one-way error components models, in line with Baltagi et al. [Baltagi, B.H., Bresson, G., Pirotte, A., 2006. Joint LM test for homoskedasticity in a one-way error component model. Journal of Econometrics 134, 401–417]. Our tests have two additional robustness properties. First, standard tests for heteroskedasticity in the individual component are shown to be negatively affected by heteroskedasticity in the remainder component. We derive modified tests that are insensitive to heteroskedasticity in the component not being checked, and hence help identify the source of heteroskedasticity. Second, Gaussian-based LM tests are shown to reject too often in the presence of heavy-tailed (e.g. t-Student) distributions. By using a conditional moment framework, we derive distribution-free tests that are robust to non-normalities. Our tests are computationally convenient since they are based on simple artificial regressions after pooled OLS estimation

Specifying enough light to feel reassured on pedestrian footpaths

This article discusses lighting for pedestrians and how investigation of reassurance might lead toward an understanding of the right amount of light. A conventional approach is to evaluate reassurance after dark under road lighting of different illuminance: this tends to show the trivial result that higher illuminances enhance reassurance, and that alone does not enable an optimum light level to be identified. One reason is that the category rating procedure widely used is prone to stimulus range bias; experimental results are presented that demonstrate stimulus range bias in reassurance evaluations. This article also recommends alternative methods for future research. One such method is the day–dark rating approach, which does not tend toward ever higher illuminances, and results are presented of two studies using this method

Information-sharing with respite care services for older adults:a qualitative exploration of carers’ experiences

This study was financially supported by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS Project ELCRI01), Edinburgh, Scotland.Respite services play an important role in supporting older adults and their carers. When an older person is unable to fully represent themselves, provision of respite care relies on effective information-sharing between carers and respite staff. This study aimed to explore, from carers’ perspectives, the scope, quality and fit of information-sharing between carers, older people and respite services. An explorative, cross-sectional qualitative study involving a purposive sample of 24 carers, recruited via carer support groups and community groups in voluntary organisations, was undertaken in North East Scotland. Data were collected from August 2013 to September 2014, with participants taking part in a focus group or individual interview. Data were analysed systematically using the Framework Approach. The multiple accounts elicited from carers identified how barriers and facilitators to information-sharing with respite services changed over time across three temporal phases: ‘Reaching a point’, ‘Trying it out’ and ‘Settled in’. Proactive information-sharing about accessibility and eligibility for respite care, and assessment of carers’ needs in their own right, were initially important; as carers and older people moved on to try services out, time and space to develop mutual understandings and negotiate care arrangements came to the fore; then, once shared expectations had been established, carers’ chief concerns were around continuity of care and maintaining good interpersonal relationships. The three temporal phases also impacted on which modes of information-sharing were available to, and worked best for, carers as well as on carers’ perceptions of how information and communication technologies should be utilised. This study highlights the need for respite staff to take proactive, flexible approaches to working with carers and to make ongoing efforts to engage with carers, and older people, throughout the months and years of them utilising respite services. Information and communication technologies have potential to enhance information-sharing but traditional approaches will remain important.PostprintPeer reviewe

Phyto-Courier, a Silicon Particle-Based Nano-biostimulant: Evidence from Cannabis sativa Exposed to Salinity.

peer reviewedGlobal warming and sea level rise are serious threats to agriculture. The negative effects caused by severe salinity include discoloration and reduced surface of the leaves, as well as wilting due to an impaired uptake of water from the soil by roots. Nanotechnology is emerging as a valuable ally in agriculture: several studies have indeed already proven the role of silicon nanoparticles in ameliorating the conditions of plants subjected to (a) biotic stressors. Here, we introduce the concept of phyto-courier: hydrolyzable nanoparticles of porous silicon, stabilized with the nonreducing saccharide trehalose and containing different combinations of lipids and/or amino acids, were used as vehicle for the delivery of the bioactive compound quercetin to the leaves of salt-stressed hemp (Cannabis sativa L., Santhica 27). Hemp was used as a representative model of an economically important crop with multiple uses. Quercetin is an antioxidant known to scavenge reactive oxygen species in cells. Four different silicon-based formulations were administered via spraying in order to investigate their ability to improve the plant's stress response, thereby acting as nano-biostimulants. We show that two formulations proved to be effective at decreasing stress symptoms by modulating the amount of soluble sugars and the expression of genes that are markers of stress-response in hemp. The study proves the suitability of the phyto-courier technology for agricultural applications aimed at crop protection