Theoretical and experimental studies of the underlying processes and techniques of low pressure measurement Semiannual status report, Sep. 1, 1964 - Feb. 28, 1965

Pumping of getter-ion pumps at low pressure, crossed field mass spectrometer, secondary electron emission, angular distribution of Auger electrons, and gaseous adsorptio

On non-convergence of adjoint semigroups for control systems with delays

It is shown that the adjoints of a spline based approximation scheme for delay equations do not converge strongly

A Play-Based, Fine Motor Program and its\u27 Effect on Functional Development in Preschool Children

Occupational therapists emphasize the occupation of play when working with the pediatric population. When combined with activities that engage fine-motor movements, there is potential for a positive effect on functional development. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the current literature surrounding play-based, fine-motor centered programs for preschool aged children, and its’ functional impact

Evolution of the Cello in Music

With this project, I have studied cello music written throughout many of the major musical eras in an attempt to discover the cello, specifically regarding playing style, technique, and tonal ability. The composers included in this project are Bach, Haydn, Dvořák, Pärt, and Amanti. Most of the major musical styles are represented, with a focus on baroque, classical, romantic, minimalism, and jazz. I performed this wide variety of pieces at my Senior Recital for the Western Kentucky University (WKU) Music Dept. The goal of the recital was to showcase the rich musical history of the cello and how cello composition technique progressed to where it is now, as well as to demonstrate the technical and musical abilities I’ve gained over the last four years as a cellist here at WKU. At the end of the recital, I included two of my own song arrangements, “Come Together” by The Beatles and “Gold” by Penny & Sparrow. Both songs and music groups have greatly influenced me as a musician, and arranging and performing these songs for cello gave me a new appreciation for the music. I also chose these arrangements because of my eclectic tastes. In “Come Together”, I employed a bluegrass fiddle technique called “chopping”, and in “Gold”, I used an electric cello and a loop pedal to simultaneously play the melody, harmony, accompaniment, and percussive beat. In this thesis, I will give a brief history of each composer and a brief history and analysis of each piece. The sections of my thesis are: History of the Cello, The Classics (Bach, Haydn, Dvořák), Tintinnabuli and Jazz (Pärt, Amanti), and My Arrangements (The Beatles, Penny & Sparrow)

Review of George MacDonald in the Age of Miracles: Incarnation, Doubt, and Reenchantment

Review of Timothy Larsen, George MacDonald in the Age of Miracles: Incarnation, Doubt, and Reenchantment (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018). 150 pages. $16. ISBN 9780830853731

CFD Analysis Methods for Systems Driven by Natural Convection

Natural convection driven flows are present in many engineering applications such as HVAC, electronics cooling, and cryogenic systems. Predicting the flow behavior of such systems requires experimentation or numerical simulation through Computational Fluid Dynamics due to the complex interactions of natural convection. Recent advances in computing resources have made CFD increasingly popular for engineering analysis of fluid dynamics and heat transfer. CFD simulation has several advantages over experimentation including: 1) cost, 2) ease of changing design parameters, and 3) time required to obtain results. These advantages lead to an increased likelihood of discovering an optimal design. However, systems with complex geometry require large computational mesh sizes requiring large amounts of computing power, which makes model development difficult. The goal of this research is to create a modeling framework for simulating natural convection using CFD that maximizes computational efficiency without sacrificing the quality of the solution. This framework includes the selection of buoyancy models, turbulence models, mesh type, level of mesh refinement. This study specifically employs CFD to predict the flow mechanics, thermal profiles, and impurity levels of liquid argon within a large neutrino detector that is influenced greatly by natural convection. A uniform distribution of impurities is desired to ensure accurate electron lifetime readings throughout the cryostat. The analysis will investigate the optimum location of filtration inlets and outlets, as well as simulate various operating conditions the detector will experience. This study is done in collaboration with Fermilab and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment

Review of Waking the Dead: George MacDonald as Philosopher, Mystic, and Apologist

Carol Propst: Review of Dean Hardy, Waking the Dead: George MacDonald as Philosopher, Mystic, and Apologist (Hamden, CT: Winged Lion Press, 2020). 231 pages. $18.99. ISBN 9781935688211

Analysis of Burkholderia pseudomallei virulence and efficacy of potential therapeutics, The

2011 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of the disease melioidosis and is classified as a category B Select Agent. There are currently many challenges associated with both the study of this pathogen and its treatment in the clinical setting. Prior to these studies, there was no attenuated B. pseudomallei strain available that was exempt of Select Agent regulations and approved for study outside of biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) containment, and consequently basic research on this pathogen was largely hindered. The first purpose of these studies was to extensively characterize the attenuation of two B. pseudomallei mutant strains using melioidosis animal models. The two mutants constructed were Bp82 and Bp190, Δ purM derivatives deficient in adenine and thiamine biosynthesis. These mutants were found to be fully attenuated in immune competent and immune deficient mouse and hamster melioidosis models. Bp82 is currently exempt of all Select Agent regulations and can be safely handled in the BSL-2 setting, greatly accelerating research on this priority pathogen. Since basic research on B. pseudomallei was not common in the Western world until its Select Agent classification, much is still unknown regarding the bacterial factors contributing to its virulence. A second purpose of this research was to determine whether resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) efflux systems and iron acquisition siderophores impact the virulence of B. pseudomallei in a pneumonic murine melioidosis model. This was examined using a clinical isolate naturally devoid of a characterized efflux system and the gene cluster for malleobactin siderophore synthesis, and by the construction of isogenetic mutants. The two characterized B. pseudomallei efflux pumps, AmrAB-OprA and BpeAB-OprB, were both found to be completely dispensable during in vivo murine infection. The removal of one or both of these systems did not reduce lethality of the mutant strains. Unlike that observed with similar bacterial pathogens, the lethality of B. pseudomallei was also not reduced upon the removal of either the malleobactin or pyochelin siderophores. This finding indicates B. pseudomallei is likely capable of utilizing alternative systems for iron acquisition within the host. In addition to the challenges associated with the study of this pathogen, there are also many clinical challenges associated with melioidosis, providing a basis for the final two purposes of this research. One particular challenge is the high frequency of patient relapse, even after appropriate prolonged antibiotic therapy. A third purpose of this research was to determine whether traditional antibiotic therapy could be augmented by the co-administration of immunotherapy. Cationic liposome-DNA complexes (CLDC), which are potent activators of the innate immune system, were found to synergistically reduce intracellular B. pseudomallei concentrations in macrophages in vitro when combined with the antibiotic ceftazidime. In addition, this combination therapy also significantly increased mouse survival during both acute and chronic melioidosis. A similar enhancement to ceftazidime therapy was observed with recombinant IFN-γ, illustrating the potential of immunotherapy to improve clinical outcome and decrease patient relapse. The lack of an effective approved vaccine for human use is another substantial clinical challenge associated with melioidosis and its prevention. The final purpose of these studies was to develop an effective mucosal vaccine, offering both short-term protection from acute pneumonic disease and long-term protection from disseminated chronic melioidosis. CLDC was identified as a highly effective mucosal adjuvant within complexed to heat-killed B. pseudomallei, and this adjuvant offered moderate protection from acute disease when combined with Burkholderia protein subunits. The longest-term protection from lethal challenge in our murine model, lasting beyond 100 days, was elicited by the fully attenuated live Bp82 strain. Since this strain is both fully attenuated and exempt of Select Agent regulations, it has great potential clinically for high-risk persons as an effective live vaccine strain

A comparison of time domain boundary conditions for acoustic waves in wave guides

Researchers consider several types of boundary conditions in the context of time domain models for acoustic waves. Experiments with four different duct terminations (hard wall, free radiation, foam, and wedge) were carried out in a wave duct from which reflection coefficients over a wide frequency range were measured. These reflection coefficients were used to estimate parameters in the time domain boundary conditions. A comparison of the relative merits of the models in describing the data is presented. Boundary conditions which yield a good fit of the model to the experimental data were found for all duct terminations except the wedge