Vapor pressures of acetylene at low temperatures

The atmospheres of many of the outer planets and their satellites contain a large number of hydrocarbon species. In particular, acetylene (C2H2) has been identified at Jupiter, Saturn and its satellite Titan, Uranus and Neptune. In the lower atmospheres of these planets, where colder temperatures prevail, the condensation and/or freezing of acetylene is probable. In order to obtain accurate models of the acetylene in these atmospheres, it is necessary to have a complete understanding of its vapor pressures at low temperatures. Vapor pressures at low temperatures for acetylene are being determined. The vapor pressures are measured with two different techniques in order to cover a wide range of temperatures and pressures. In the first, the acetylene is placed in a sample tube which is immersed in a low temperature solvent/liquid nitrogen slush bath whose temperature is measured with a thermocouple. The vapor pressure is then measured directly with a capacitance manometer. For lower pressures, a second technique which was called the thin-film infrared method (TFIR) was developed. It involves measuring the disappearance rate of a thin film of acetylene at a particular temperature. The spectra are then analyzed using previously determined extinction coefficient values, to determine the disappearance rate R (where R = delta n/delta t, the number of molecules that disappear per unit time). This can be related to the vapor pressure directly. This technique facilitates measurement of the lower temperatures and pressures. Both techniques have been calibrated using CO2, and have shown good agreement with the existing literature data

The Presence of Jesuit Values in a Selection of University of San Francisco Courses: The Students’ Perspective

Even with the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) well-integrated into university coursework, the IPP works optimally in the presence of Jesuit values. But do students perceive the presence of these values in their courses? An effort was undertaken at the University of San Francisco (USF) to determine if student perception of USF’s core values in their courses could be measured, and if so, to what extent they were present. A total of 511 USF core values surveys were collected from both undergraduates and graduates in the School of Management from Spring 2014 to Intersession 2016. This paper reviews the development of the Original and Revised Surveys, and the findings that were made. This includes one low-scoring core values statement, and statistically significant differentials among international graduate students on a gender basis. The most significant finding was that all students perceived every USF core value on a substantive level in every course. Final recommendations include: (1) a detailed review of USF’s core values for clarity, and (2) a revision of the core values survey to better recognize values perception in international students of both genders

Bastrop Asset Map Tool

Developed in partnerhsip with Bastrop Community Cares and the Texas Target Communities program at Texas A&M University by graduate students in the Master of Urban Planning program.A guidebook that describes the process for using ESRI online mapping platform to map social service assets in the community. The purpose of this map is to be use by social service providers and non-profit workers to point individuals or families to services and opportunities in the Bastrop County community

La Grange, Texas Housing Needs Assessment

A housing quality study was conducted to evaluate the current housing stock in the City of La Grange. It was found that the majority of housing is maintained or well maintained and that although the City has an older housing stock, it is very well taken care of. There has been no new residential construction since 2010 and the vacancy rate for owner occupied households is at zero percent. Housing tenure patterns show that many residents moved into their homes during the period of 2000 to 2009 and growth has continued since then. Housing is affordable within the City, especially for owner occupied households. The City is however, lacking in housing options for renters and the elderly.The City of La Grange has been experiencing growth at a higher rate than expected in the City’s comprehensive plan. Due to this, the City is nearing build out capacity and housing has become limited. Local real estate agents and developers have expressed concern to the City in regards to the limited housing options for their clients. In response, the City contacted Texas Target Communities at Texas A&M University to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to provide an inventory of current housing, identify future demand, and explore other possible housing related issues and, or concerns for the area.Texas Target Communitie

Predictive Nomogram for Recurrence following Surgery for Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Cancer with Tumor Thrombus

Purpose Following surgery for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus the risk of recurrence is significant but variable among patients. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a predictive nomogram for individual estimation of recurrence risk following surgery for renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus. Materials and Methods Comprehensive data were collected on patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma and thrombus treated at a total of 5 institutions from 2000 to 2013. Independent predictors of recurrent renal cell carcinoma from a competing risks analysis were developed into a nomogram. Predictive accuracy was compared between the development and validation cohorts, and between the nomogram and the UISS (UCLA Integrated Staging System, SSIGN (Stage, Size, Grade and Necrosis) and Sorbellini models. Results A total of 636 patients were analyzed, including the development cohort of 465 and the validation cohort of 171. Independent predictors, including tumor diameter, body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin less than the lower limit of normal, thrombus level, perinephric fat invasion and nonclear cell histology, were developed into a nomogram. Estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival was 49% overall. Five-year recurrence-free survival in patients with 0, 1, 2 and more than 2 risk factors was 77%, 53%, 47% and 20%, respectively. Predictive accuracy was similar in the development and validation cohorts (AUC 0.726 and 0.724, respectively). Predictive accuracy of the thrombus nomogram was higher than that of the UISS (AUC 0.726 vs 0.595, p = 0.001), SSIGN (AUC 0.713 vs 0.612, p = 0.04) and Sorbellini models (AUC 0.709 vs 0.638, p = 0.02). Conclusions We present a predictive nomogram for postoperative recurrence in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma with venous thrombus. Improving individual postoperative risk assessment may allow for better design and analysis of future adjuvant clinical trials

Development of CCDs for REXIS on OSIRIS-REx

The Regolith x-ray Imaging Spectrometer (REXIS) is a coded-aperture soft x-ray imaging instrument on the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to be launched in 2016. The spacecraft will fly to and orbit the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, while REXIS maps the elemental distribution on the asteroid using x-ray fluorescence. The detector consists of a 2×2 array of backilluminated 1k×1k frame transfer CCDs with a flight heritage to Suzaku and Chandra. The back surface has a thin p[superscript +]-doped layer deposited by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) for maximum quantum efficiency and energy resolution at low x-ray energies. The CCDs also feature an integrated optical-blocking filter (OBF) to suppress visible and near-infrared light. The OBF is an aluminum film deposited directly on the CCD back surface and is mechanically more robust and less absorptive of x-rays than the conventional free-standing aluminum-coated polymer films. The CCDs have charge transfer inefficiencies of less than 10[superscript -6], and dark current of 1e-/pixel/second at the REXIS operating temperature of –60 °C. The resulting spectral resolution is 115 eV at 2 KeV. The extinction ratio of the filter is ~10[superscript 12] at 625 nm.United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Strategic Astrophysics Technology Program (Grant NNX12AF22G)United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Contract NNG12FD70C)United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (IPR NNG12FC01I)United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Strategic Astrophysics Technology Program (IPR NNH12AU04I)United States. Air Force (Contract FA8721-05-C-0002