Automated tester permits precise calibration of pressure transducers from 0 to 1050 psi

Automated portable checker allows last-minute calibration of pressure transducers before testing. It uses a pressure console and equipment that can produce test pressures of 0-1050 psi. The console can be connected to other apparatus for measurement and visual display of the electrical output

Streptococcus mutans Binding to Collagen, Fibrinogen, Fibronectin, and Laminin

poster abstractIntroduction: Streptococcus mutans, nicotine, and certain proteins may be involved in a complicated mechanism that contributes to atherosclerosis. Build up of arterial plaque causes atherosclerosis. Arterial plaque is mainly composed of fat, cholesterol, and calcium. When plaque builds up in the arteries, a clot or blockage can occur and may cause an occlusion. Objective: S. mutans grows in oral biofilm and causes dental caries. These bacteria enter the blood stream from mucosal breaks in the oral cavity. There is evidence that S. mutans binds to endothelial cell surface proteins lining arterial surfaces. An increased incidence of S. mutans in arterial plaque seems to have a direct relationship with atherosclerosis. From preliminary research, there was a strong indication that increased S. mutans biofilm formation is caused by nicotine. The number of binding proteins on nicotine-treated S. mutans cell surface increases as well. In addition, results demonstrated that S. mutans binds to collagen type I, fibrinogen, fibronectin, and laminin, which are proteins found on endothelial cells. Methods: To investigate protein binding, S. mutans UA159 was cultured in 0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/ml of nicotine and their ability to bind to human collagen type I, fibrinogen, fibronectin and laminin was assessed using an ELISA assay. Results: S. mutans significantly bound to collagen type I and fibrinogen when cultured in 2 and 4 mg/ml nicotine. S. mutans significantly bound to laminin when the bacterium was grown in 1, 2, and 4 mg/ml. The binding of S. mutans to fibronectin varied when cultured in different concentrations of nicotine. Conclusion: From the results, it can be concluded that S. mutans UA159 binds to collagen type I, fibrinogen, fibronectin, and laminin. This indicates that S. mutans and the proteins studied are very likely to be part of the mechanism that leads to atherosclerosis

Streptococcus mutans Binding to Collagen and Fibrinogen in Nicotine

poster abstractIntroduction: Our overall goal is to find the mechanism for atherosclerosis. Smokers have increased incidence of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when there is a build up of plaque in the arteries. There is evidence that Streptococcus mutans help cause this blockage. We have already proven that S. mutans produces more biofilm in certain concentrations of nicotine. Also, we have found that nicotine upregulates S. mutans binding to proteins in certain concentrations; other labs have also demonstrated this. The intent of this study was to evaluate the binding of S. mutans to both collagen type I and fibrinogen, which are both proteins that are already present on the surface of endothelial cells lining arteries. Methods: S. mutans UA159 was cultured in 0.00-4.00 mg/mL nicotine. The cells were killed in formaldehyde and then coated with biotin. The proteins studied were plated (1 ug/ml) on 96-well microtiter plates. In order to block the empty spaces that the protein did not bind to, 1% BSA in sodium bicarbonate buffer was added to the plate. Each nicotine dilution of S. mutans was added to the plate and the amount of binding was assessed. Extra-avidin HRP and OPD were added to the plate and the intensity was measured at an absorbance of 490 nm using a spectrophotometer. Results: The intensity was directly related to the number of cells bound to the proteins. There was a significant increase in S. mutans binding when compared to the baseline for both collagen type I and fibrinogen. The binding was highest when S. mutans were cultured in 2 and 4 mg/mL nicotine. Conclusions: The data collected suggests that collagen type I and fibrinogen contribute to the mechanism of atherosclerosis. When S. mutans are cultured in moderately high concentrations of nicotine, more binding of the bacteria to these proteins occurs

Comparing Soil Boundaries Delineated by Digital Analysis of Multispectral Scanner Data from High and Low Spatial Resolution Systems

Aircraft and Landsat data were used with computer-aided techniques to delineate soils patterns of a field of 40 ha in a transition zone between soils developed under deciduous forest and those developed under prairie vegetation. Two computer-aided classification techniques, supervised and nonsupervised, were employed in classifying soils of the study area. The means and covariance matrix statistics were obtained for every cluster or soil class through the statistics algorithm. Each cluster of aircraft and Landsat data was identified and assigned to a specific soil type by correlating the cluster soil patterns with a standard soils map of the test site which was prepared as a part of the ground observation task. A sampling grid plan was used to select a training set for a supervised classification of the aircraft MSS data. The spectral soil patterns revealed in the classifications from aircraft and satellite MSS data resembled the general patterns of the soils of the conventionally prepared soil map. The spatial resolution of the aircraft scanner was adequate to recognize each soil type boundary in the test site. However, the limited spatial resolution of the satellite scanner made it difficult to delineate those soil features with widths less than the spatial resolution of the scanner. On the contrary those soil patterns which were broad enough to exceed the spatial resolution of the Landsat scanner were delineated very well

The Temperature, Electron, and Pressure Characteristics of Switchbacks: Parker Solar Probe Observations

Parker Solar Probe (PSP) observes unexpectedly prevalent switchbacks, which are rapid magnetic field reversals that last from seconds to hours, in the inner heliosphere, posing new challenges to understanding their nature, origin, and evolution. In this work, we investigate the thermal states, electron pitch angle distributions, and pressure signatures of both inside and outside switchbacks, separating a switchback into spike, transition region (TR), and quiet period (QP). Based on our analysis, we find that the proton temperature anisotropies in TRs seem to show an intermediate state between spike and QP plasmas. The proton temperatures are more enhanced in spike than in TR and QP, but the alpha temperatures and alpha-to-proton temperature ratios show the opposite trends, implying that the preferential heating mechanisms of protons and alphas are competing in different regions of switchbacks. Moreover, our results suggest that the electron integrated intensities are almost the same across the switchbacks but the electron pitch angle distributions are more isotropic inside than outside switchbacks, implying switchbacks are intact structures but strong scattering of electrons happens inside switchbacks. In addition, the examination of pressures reveals that the total pressures are comparable through a switchback, confirming switchbacks are pressure-balanced structures. These characteristics could further our understanding of ion heating, electron scattering, and the structure of switchbacks.Comment: submitted to Ap

Science and Humor = popularization through laughs

A pesar de que sabemos que la información que recibimos se traduce en toma de decisiones que afectan nuestra realidad, la relación entre la ciencia y la sociedad continúa sin afianzarse. Esto crea la necesidad de buscar métodos de comunicación de la ciencia alternativos para que los contenidos científicos puedan ser apreciados, entendidos eficientemente e incorporados a la cultura. A través de la popularización de la ciencia, se busca fomentar la formación de ciudadanos con pensamiento crítico, desmitificar a los científicos y despertar curiosidad. El stand up es un estilo de comedia donde el intérprete se dirige directamente a una audiencia en vivo. A diferencia del teatro tradicional, el comediante debe generar una conexión con el público estableciendo incluso diferentes tipos de diálogos. En el año 2015, el Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva dictó un curso mediante el cual estudiantes y egresados de carreras científicas pudieron formarse en técnicas de stand up para hacer llegar a la población contenidos científicos mediante el humor. Participamos también de charlas de especialistas renombrados en popularización de la ciencia. Una vez finalizado el curso algunos conformamos el grupo “Poper” (POPularización Entre Risas), el primer grupo de stand up científico de Latinoamérica, formado por científicos y estudiantes de diferentes áreas. Nuestro objetivo es comunicar la ciencia mediante el humor, logrando hablar de la misma de manera desestructurada. La hipótesis es que de ese modo se pueden acercar algunos contenidos científicos y despertar curiosidad de una forma eficiente a un público amplio, haciendo hincapié en los adolescentes. Como resultado de esta iniciativa, la propuesta fue recibida con gran entusiasmo por autoridades públicas y privadas, así como también medios masivos de comunicación y escuelas. En los últimos años los integrantes de Poper realizamos shows en Tecnópolis y el Centro Cultural de la Ciencia; también nos presentamos en instituciones educativas (colegios y universidades), festivales, congresos y semanas de las ciencias, entre otros, de Buenos Aires y del interior del país. Llegamos incluso a dictar talleres en el exterior y formar parte de los oradores TEDx Río de la Plata, evento que reúne a más de 10.000 asistentes.Although we know that the information we receive translates into decision-making that affects our reality, the relationship between science and society continues to fail. This creates the imperative need to look for alternative methods of communication so that the scientific contents can be appreciated, efficiently understood and incorporated into the culture. The aim of scientific communication is to encourage the formation of citizens with critical thinking, demystify the scientist character and to generate curiosity. Stand up comedy or live comedy is a comedy style in which the performer must address directly to a broad live audience. Unlike traditional theater, the comedian must generate a connection with the audience by establishing different types of dialogues. In 2015, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation of Argentina gave a course through which students and graduates of scientific careers were able to train in stand-up techniques in order to get the people scientific content through humor. The attendees also participated in talks by renowned specialists in scientific communication. Once the course was completed, the Poper group was formed, the first scientific stand up group in Latin America. Made up of scientists and students from different areas, our main goal is to communicate science through humor, managing to talk about science in an unstructured way. The hypothesis is that in this way we can reach science contents and generate curiosity in an efficient way to a broad audience, emphasizing adolescents. As a result of this initiative, the proposal was received with great enthusiasm by public and private authorities, as well as mass media. In recent years the members of Poper gave shows at Tecnópolis and the Cultural Center of Science; we also performed in educational institutions, festivals, provincial Science Weeks, Congresses, among others, in Buenos Aires and in the whole country. We even dictated workshops abroad and were included as speakers in TEDx Rio de la Plata, an event that brings together more than 10,000 attendees.Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet"Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomí

The Structure and Origin of Switchbacks: Parker Solar Probe Observations

Switchbacks are rapid magnetic field reversals that last from seconds to hours. Current Parker Solar Probe (PSP) observations pose many open questions in regards to the nature of switchbacks. For example, are they stable as they propagate through the inner heliosphere, and how are they formed? In this work, we aim to investigate the structure and origin of switchbacks. In order to study the stability of switchbacks, we suppose the small scale current sheets therein may work to braid and stabilize the switchbacks. Thus, we use the partial variance of increments method to identify the small scale current sheets, and then compare their distributions in switchbacks. With more than one thousand switchbacks identified with PSP observations in seven encounters, we find many more current sheets inside than outside switchbacks, indicating that these micro-structures should work to stabilize the S-shape structures of switchbacks. Additionally, with the helium measurements, we study the variations of helium abundance ratios and alpha-proton differential speeds to trace switchbacks to their origins. We find both helium-rich and helium-poor populations in switchbacks, implying the switchbacks could originate from both closed and open magnetic field regions in the Sun. Moreover, we observe that the alpha-proton differential speeds also show complex variations as compared to the local Alfv\'en speed. The joint distributions of both parameters show that low helium abundance together with low differential speed is the dominant state in switchbacks. The presence of small scale current sheets in switchbacks along with the helium features are in line with the hypothesis that switchbacks could originate from the Sun via interchange reconnection process. However, other formation mechanisms are not excluded

Parker Solar Probe Observations of High Plasma Beta Solar Wind from Streamer Belt

In general, slow solar wind from the streamer belt forms a high plasma beta equatorial plasma sheet around the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) crossing, namely the heliospheric plasma sheet (HPS). Current Parker Solar Probe (PSP) observations show that the HCS crossings near the Sun could be full or partial current sheet crossing (PCS), and they share some common features but also have different properties. In this work, using the PSP observations from encounters 4 to 10, we identify streamer belt solar wind from enhancements in plasma beta, and we further use electron pitch angle distributions to separate it into HPS solar wind that around the full HCS crossings and PCS solar wind that in the vicinity of PCS crossings. Based on our analysis, we find that the PCS solar wind has different characteristics as compared with HPS solar wind: a) PCS solar wind could be non-pressure-balanced structures rather than magnetic holes, and the total pressure enhancement mainly results from the less reduced magnetic pressure; b) some of the PCS solar wind are mirror unstable; c) PCS solar wind is dominated by very low helium abundance but varied alpha-proton differential speed. We suggest the PCS solar wind could originate from coronal loops deep inside the streamer belt, and it is pristine solar wind that still actively interacts with ambient solar wind, thus it is valuable for further investigations on the heating and acceleration of slow solar wind