A New Spinning-test Method

This report contains a description of a new spinning-test arrangement wherein the otherwise customary rotation of the model about a fixed axis is abandoned in favor of a corresponding rotation of the air stream. The advantage of this method lies in the fact that the model is at rest while the spin is recorded. In this manner it is possible to secure systematic results with little loss of time while employing 3- or 6-component wind-tunnel balances. The troublesome equalization of the mass forces is eliminated and the flow phenomena are accessible to direct observation

Next Generation Neutron Detection for Next Generation Nuclear Reactors

Track I: Power GenerationIncludes audio file (31 min.)As the demand for nuclear energy increases worldwide, and MO reactors come online, so does the availability of spent fuel that may be used as a medium of terror. That is, fuel for and waste or byproducts from fissile material refining and nuclear reactors (e.g. plutonium) pose a serious threat with respect to radiological dispersal and nuclear bomb detonation. Radiological dispersal can include fallout by means of water or atmospheric transport (e.g., dumping waste in a river) while fissile trafficking can include the transport of plutonium across a border by seaport entry. In order to safely increase the use of nuclear energy in Missouri, sensitive techniques for nuclear detection must be developed. Presently available commercial detectors are not sensitive enough to detect even large (~3kg) quantities of weapons grade plutonium that are hidden in a barrel of water; our borders are effectively open to critical mass sized plutonium transport. Profs. Caruso, Ching and Kruger (UMKC Physics) are developing detectors capable of a ten times increase in detection sensitivity over existing commercial detectors that will provide a critical component to the future Missouri nuclear safeguarding infrastructure

Tumor induction by Agrobacterium tumefaciens: analysis of the boundaries of T-DNA

Molecular cloning has been used to isolate the ends of that portion of the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens which has been designated T-DNA and which has been transferred to the genome of tobacco crown gall tumor cells. Analysis of the DNA sequences of the plant border clones compared with the corresponding sequences of the Ti plasmid suggests that the mechanism of transferred DNA integration and subsequent stabilization is precise at the right border and imprecise on the left. The T-DNAjunction occurs within a variation of a single base pair (bp) on the right but varies over at least 70 bp on the left. In addition, there are several sequences which are repeated near the ends of the T-DNA region in theTi plasmid. Seemingly, there is no specificity with regard to the site of integration in the plant genome

The effects of lifestyle and diet on gut microbiota composition, inflammation and muscle performance in our aging society

Living longer is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, including impairments of the musculoskeletal and immune system as well as metabolic disorders and certain cancers, each of which can negatively affect the relationship between host and microbiota up to the occurrence of dysbiosis. On the other hand, lifestyle factors, including regular physical exercise and a healthy diet, can affect skeletal muscle and immune aging positively at all ages. Accordingly, health benefits could partly depend on the effect of such interventions that influence the biodiversity and functionality of intestinal microbiota. In the present review, we first discuss the physiological effects of aging on the gut microbiota, immune system, and skeletal muscle. Secondly, we describe human epidemiological evidence about the associations between physical activity and fitness and the gut microbiota composition in older adults. The third part highlights the relevance and restorative mechanisms of immune protection through physical activity and specific exercise interventions during aging. Fourth, we present important research findings on the effects of exercise and protein as well as other nutrients on skeletal muscle performance in older adults. Finally, we provide nutritional recommendations to prevent malnutrition and support healthy active aging with a focus on gut microbiota. Key nutrition‐related concerns include the need for adequate energy and protein intake for preventing low muscle mass and a higher demand for specific nutrients (e.g., dietary fiber, polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids) that can modify the composition, diversity, and metabolic capacity of the gut microbiota, and may thus provide a practical means of enhancing gut and systemic immune function

Many-body nodal hypersurface and domain averages for correlated wave functions

We outline the basic notions of nodal hypersurface and domain averages for antisymmetric wave functions. We illustrate their properties and analyze the results for a few electron explicitly solvable cases and discuss possible further developments

Desktop Analysis and Qualitative Investigation of Programmes and Initiatives for the Prevention of and Response to Gender Based Violence at South African Universities with Medical Campuses

Gender-based violence (GBV) is pervasive at South African higher education institutions (HEIs). Based on a media statement (dated 6 October 2016) by the Department of Higher Education and Training, GBV programmes at HEIs need to be evidence-informed, responsive, contextually relevant, inclusive and person-centred. The present article aims to explore the nature of GBV programmes currently implemented at HEIs in South Africa. A rapid review of the literature, supported by qualitative interviews with representatives of South African HEIs with medical campuses, was conducted. Findings indicate that there is an urgent need to clearly define GBV and to mention it explicitly in policy documents. In addition, research evidence on the effectiveness of prevention and response interventions at HEIs in South Africa is lacking. Challenges highlighted by the HEIs that were surveyed include the lack of trust by staff and students in the response and action plans of the response/task teams at HEIs, uncertainty with regards to the roles of relevant stakeholders and sectors when reporting incidents, as well as insufficient information about what GBV is. This study is intended to provide a baseline for further research evaluating current GBV programmes on medical campuses at HEIs, and highlights the need for an evidence-informed framework of the key ingredients for effective GBV response and prevention programmes

The SASSCAL contribution to climate observation, climate data management and data rescue in Southern Africa

A major task of the newly established "Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management" (SASSCAL; www.sasscal.org) and its partners is to provide science-based environmental information and knowledge which includes the provision of consistent and reliable climate data for Southern Africa. Hence, SASSCAL, in close cooperation with the national weather authorities of Angola, Botswana, Germany and Zambia as well as partner institutions in Namibia and South Africa, supports the extension of the regional meteorological observation network and the improvement of the climate archives at national level. With the ongoing rehabilitation of existing weather stations and the new installation of fully automated weather stations (AWS), altogether 105 AWS currently provide a set of climate variables at 15, 30 and 60 min intervals respectively. These records are made available through the SASSCAL WeatherNet, an online platform providing near-real time data as well as various statistics and graphics, all in open access. This effort is complemented by the harmonization and improvement of climate data management concepts at the national weather authorities, capacity building activities and an extension of the data bases with historical climate data which are still available from different sources. These activities are performed through cooperation between regional and German institutions and will provide important information for climate service related activities

Ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and related chemicals

The amended and adjusted Montreal Protocol continues to be successful at reducing emissions and atmospheric abundances of most controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODSs).Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Projec