Measurement of the full excitation spectrum of the 7Li(p,{\gamma}){\alpha}{\alpha} reaction at 441 keV

A current challenge for ab initio calculations is systems that contain large continuum contributions such as 8Be. We report on new measurements of radiative decay widths in this nucleus that test recent Green's function Monte Carlo calculations. Traditionally, {\gamma} ray detectors have been utilized to measure the high energy photons from the 7Li(p, {\gamma}){\alpha}{\alpha} reaction. However, due to the complicated response function of these detectors it has not yet been possible to extract the full {\gamma} ray spectrum from this reaction. Here we present an alternative measurement using large area Silicon detectors to detect the two {\alpha} particles, which provides a practically background free spectrum and retains good energy resolution. The resulting spectrum is analyzed using a many-level multi channel R-matrix parametrization. Improved values for the radiative widths are extracted from the R-matrix fit. We find evidence for significant non-resonant continuum contributions and tentative evidence for a broad 0+ resonance at 12 MeV.Comment: Accepted version. Fixed Fig. 5 ordinate label

Mesenteric Vascular Dysregulation and Intestinal Inflammation Accompanies Experimental Spinal Cord Injury

Cervical and high thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) drastically impairs autonomic nervous system function. Individuals with SCI at thoracic spinal-level 5 (T5) or higher often present cardiovascular disorders that include resting systemic arterial hypotension. Gastrointestinal (GI) tissues are critically dependent upon adequate blood flow and even brief periods of visceral hypoxia triggers GI dysmotility. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that T3-SCI induces visceral hypoperfusion, diminished postprandial vascular reflexes and concomitant visceral inflammation. We measured in vivo systemic arterial blood pressure and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and duodenal blood flow in anesthetized T3-SCI rats at 3 days and 3 weeks post-injury either fasted or following enteral feeding of a liquid mixed-nutrient meal (Ensure™). In separate cohorts of fasted T3-SCI rats, markers of intestinal inflammation were assayed by qRT-PCR. Our results show that T3-SCI rats displayed significantly reduced SMA blood flow under all experimental conditions (p\u3c0.05). Specifically, the anticipated elevation of SMA blood flow in response to duodenal nutrient infusion (postprandial hyperemia) was either delayed or absent after T3-SCI. The dysregulated SMA blood flow in acutely-injured T3-SCI rats coincides with abnormal intestinal morphology and elevation of inflammatory markers, all of which resolve after 3 weeks. Specifically, Icam1, Ccl2 (MCP-1) and Ccl3 (MIP-1α) were acutely elevated following T3-SCI. Our data suggest that arterial hypotension diminishes mesenteric blood flow necessary to meet mucosal demands at rest and during digestion. The resulting GI ischemia and low-grade inflammation may be an underlying pathology leading to GI dysfunction seen following acute T3-SCI

Flow Meter Test Rig

As part of a fluid mechanics laboratory, there should be an experiment that demonstrates the proper use of flow meters, devices that are necessary and relevant in many fluids-related industries. In order to provide students with exposure to these types of devices and how they work, a test rig was developed with the ability to interchange a variety of flow meters in order to broaden the students’ knowledge of the different types of measuring devices. This report was also written to outline the steps taken to ensure the test rig would match a laboratory and industry setting. Additionally, it was necessary to create an operating manual that will safely guide the user, likely a student, through setup and changing between the test units

Pattern and Decoration: An Ideal Vision in American Art, 1975-1985

This illustrated catalogue accompanied an exhibition at the Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, New York (October 27, 2007-January 20, 2008). It is the first extended discussion of the Pattern and Decoration movement. This exhibition catalogue was edited by Anne Swartz with an introduction by Michael Botwinick, with essays by Temma Balducci, Arthur C. Danto, John Perrault, and Anne Swartz

Experimental study of the 11B(p,3α)γ^{11}\text{B}(p,3\alpha)\gamma reaction at Ep=0.5−2.7E_p = 0.5-2.7 MeV

Our understanding of the low-lying resonance structure in $^{12}$C remains incomplete. We have used the $^{11}\text{B}(p,3\alpha)\gamma$ reaction at proton energies of $E_p=0.5-2.7$ MeV as a selective probe of the excitation region above the $3\alpha$ threshold in $^{12}$C. Transitions to individual levels in $^{12}$C were identified by measuring the 3$\alpha$ final state with a compact array of charged-particle detectors. Previously identified transitions to narrow levels were confirmed and new transitions to broader levels were observed for the first time. Here, we report cross sections, deduce partial $\gamma$-decay widths and discuss the relative importance of direct and resonant capture mechanisms.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, 5 tables; added details on data analysi

Apparent ionospheric total electron content variations prior to major earthquakes due to electric fields created by tectonic stresses

Growing evidence for ionospheric signatures of impending earthquakes comes from electron content measurements along slanted paths from GPS satellites to multiple ground stations located up to 500 km away from the epicenters. These slant total electron content (STEC) measurements deviate from the classic U-shape pattern, starting about 40 min to over an hour before major earthquakes. Unlike other naturally occurring STEC fluctuations at midlatitudes, we show here that these earthquake-induced deviations are simultaneous over a wide geographical area and do not propagate, thereby indicating a ground-based origin. Prior to the 11 March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake (Mw 9.0), the deviations were as much as 10% of the undisturbed STEC. We argue that such deviations must be due to an electric field-forced rise or fall of the main ionosphere with little change in the vertical electron density profile. Hence, “apparent” is used in the title. We show how stress-related underground electric fields penetrate to 80 km altitude (above which penetration to the main ionosphere easily occurs) with magnitudes high enough to create STEC variations comparable to those observed. Since many thousands of GPS receivers exist worldwide, our theory suggests the possibility of early warning systems that could provide 10 to 20 min notice prior to large earthquakes, after allowing time for signal processing. This theory for prequake-induced STEC fluctuations also explains the ground-based ULF magnetic field data acquired by Fraser-Smith et al. 40 min prior to the Loma Prieta earthquake

The effect of early child care attendance on childhood asthma and wheezing: A meta-analysis.

ObjectiveResearch evidence offers mixed results regarding the relationship between early child care attendance and childhood asthma and wheezing. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the current research evidence of the association between early child care attendance and the risk of childhood asthma and wheezing.MethodPeer reviewed studies published from 1964-January 2017 were identified in MEDLINE, CINAL, and EMBASE using MeSH headings relevant to child care and asthma. Two investigators independently reviewed the selected articles from this search. All relevant articles that met our inclusion criteria were selected for further analysis. Data were extracted from studies that had sufficient data to analyze the odds of asthma or wheezing among children who attended child care.ResultsThe meta-analysis of 32 studies found that (1) early child care attendance is protective against asthma in children 3-5 years of age but not for children with asthma 6 years of age or older. (2) Early child care attendance increases the risk of wheezing among children 2 years of age or younger, but not the risk of wheezing for children over 2 years of age.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis shows that early child care attendance is not significantly associated with the risk of asthma or wheeze in children 6 years of age or older

Nidec Automated Winder

Nidec Drive Systems is a leading electric motor manufacturing company with several facilities in the US and around the world. However, as of recent, Nidec has started to see some signs of old and outdated production machines affecting their production numbers even though the demand for electric is ever increasing. In an attempt to repair some of these issues, Nidec reached out to the University of Akron to look for senior design groups to help design and standardize better production machines. We were tasked with redesigning a new winder, which is a machine that winds the copper coils to the core of the motor. The design and manufacturing process is detailed in the following report, in addition to the results of our project

Methods for designing and optimizing fuzzy controllers

We start by discussing fuzzy sets and the algebra of fuzzy sets. We consider some properties of fuzzy modeling tools. This is followed by considering the Mamdani and Sugeno models for designing fuzzy controllers. Various methods for using sets of data for desining controllers are discussed. This is followed by a chapter illustrating the use of genetic algorithms in designing and optimizing fuzzy controllers.Finally we look at some previous applications of fuzzy control in telecommunication networks, and illustrate a simple application that was developed as part of the present work