Pneumatic amplifier Patent

Pneumatic servoamplifier for controlling flow regulatio

Subgravity simulator Patent

Apparatus for training astronaut crews to perform on simulated lunar surface under conditions of lunar gravit

Three-dimensional Navier-Stokes heat transfer predictions for turbine blade rows

Results are shown for a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis of both the flow and the surface heat transfer for turbine applications. Heat transfer comparisons are made with the experimental shock-tunnel data of Dunn and Kim, and with the data of Blair for the rotor of the large scale rotating turbine. The analysis was done using the steady-state, three-dimensional, thin-layer Navier-Stokes code developed by Chima, which uses a multistage Runge-Kutta scheme with implicit residual smoothing. An algebraic mixing length turbulence model is used to calculate turbulent eddy viscosity. The variation in heat transfer due to variations in grid parameters is examined. The effects of rotation, tip clearance, and inlet boundary layer thickness variation on the predicted blade and endwall heat transfer are examined

Escape From Reality

On the first day, students learn how to pick locks. Instructions on day two include how to covertly navigate a city\u27s streets. Then, on day three, students are kidnapped and must escape. This is the general premise of Rift Recon\u27s Art of Escape training course in San Francisco and this is the story of how that program, started by Eric Michaud and Brian O\u27Shea, came to be

Decreasing Stigma Against Depression in Chinese International Students

Higher levels of stress and a shift in support systems during the transition to another culture can put international students at risk for mood disorders like depression. Previous research supports there is also a higher level of depression stigma within Eastern cultures in comparison to Western cultures (Rao, Feinglass, & Corrigan, 2007). This may account for the strikingly low numbers from the Chinese population that seek and maintain professional counseling services while studying in the U.S. (Yakushko, Davidson, & Sandford-Martens, 2008). The present study sought to determine whether two self-produced Chinese videos regarding information about stigma, symptoms, and treatment of depression would significantly decrease stigma against depression and increase attitudes of help-seeking in Chinese international students in the U.S. Results of the paired sample t test with respect to the Social Distance Scale indicated a statistically significant decrease (t(44) = -2.14, p \u3c .05), between the pre-test and the post-test in the participants’ desire for social distance. However, there was no statistically significant difference in participants’ association of negative attributes with individuals with depression. Post-test measures of attitudes toward helpfulness of different professions and treatment yielded no significant results, but attitudes toward the helpfulness of medicinal treatment of depression did significantly increase (t(44) = -3.93, p \u3c .001). Therefore, our first hypothesis was partially supported and our second was minimally supported. Research with higher statistical power and a longitudinal design is necessary to further examine the relationship between these video interventions and reduction of stigma within Chinese international students

The Search for Metabolic Variants in Response to Climate Change in the American Pika

Climate change and rising temperatures pose a serious threat to the long-term survival of American pika (Ochotana princeps), emphasizing the interest in the adaptive capability of the pika. This project queried single nucleotide polymorphisms in a population of American pika in Yosemite National Park using Whole Genome Sequencing data, with a specific interest in metabolic variants. The sample data included temporally separated cohorts, comparing modern population data to historical data taken before rapid anthropogenic climate change. Statistically significant variants were identified under Approximate Bayesian Computation using a population decline model. Although population statistics indicated little change between the temporal cohorts, five intergenic SNPs were identified located about 20,000 base pairs upstream from DECR1, a gene that plays a key role in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Further work is needed to investigate any link between these SNPs and DECR1

Of Some One I\u27m Dreaming : Let That One Be You

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/4927/thumbnail.jp

INSTRUCTIONAL COMMUNICATION MATTERS: A TEST OF KNOWLEDGE ACQUSITION THEORY (KAT) FROM A MESSAGE-ORIENTED RECEIVER PERSPECTIVE

This dissertation encourages adoption of a message-oriented receiver perspective when developing new instructional communication theories and proposes a causal-process model derived from Knowledge Acquisition Theory to demonstrate how this perspective can be used to predict student cognitive learning outcomes. Three hypotheses are generated to test the propositions of the derived model. The first hypothesis seeks to determine which dimensions of instructional message clarity and course content relevance best predict student interactions with instructional content. The second hypothesis predicts that student self-reported knowledge gains are a function of student interactions with content. The third hypothesis predicts that a significant proportion of the variance in knowledge gains can be explained by the combination of message characteristics with student content interactions both in and outside the classroom. A cross-sectional survey research design was used to collect responses from undergraduate students at a large southern public research university (n=333). The hypotheses were tested using linear and hierarchical regression and results demonstrated statistical support for all three hypotheses. The first hypothesis revealed the dimensions of instructional message clarity and course content relevance that significantly predicted student interactions with content inside and outside of class. Support for the second hypothesis illustrated that both in class and out of class content interactions significantly predicted student self-reports of knowledge gains. Finally, hypothesis 3 tested the comprehensive causalprocess model derived from Knowledge Acquisition Theory. The derived model received strong support and ultimately accounted for 65% of the variance in student perceptions of knowledge gains. Student perceptions of knowledge gains increased when students perceived textbook messages as clear, course goals and expectations as clear, content as relevant to their own lives, and when students enacted knowledge acquisition behaviors outside of class. Surprisingly, in class content interaction, presentation clarity, and procedural clarity dropped out of the model. Implications and limitations of the present study are discussed, directions for future research are suggested, and a persuasive argument is presented for why instructional communication researchers should continue to develop a message effects research agenda supporting the development of strong instructional communication theories that produce practical results to inform educational practices

Exploration of degrons and their ability to mediate targeted protein degradation.

Degrons are short amino acid sequences that can facilitate the degradation of protein substrates. They can be classified as either ubiquitin-dependent or -independent based on their interactions with the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). These amino acid sequences are often found in exposed regions of proteins serving as either a tethering point for an interaction with an E3 ligase or initiating signaling for the direct degradation of the protein. Recent advancements in the protein degradation field have shown the therapeutic potential of both classes of degrons through leveraging their degradative effects to engage specific protein targets. This review explores what targeted protein degradation applications degrons can be used in and how they have inspired new degrader technology to target a wide variety of protein substrates

All About the Core: A Therapeutic Strategy to Prevent Protein Accumulation with Proteasome Core Particle Stimulators.

The proteasome is an essential enzyme complex in cells whose main responsibility is to degrade proteins. Proteins can be degraded through either a ubiquitin-dependent or -independent mechanism by the proteasome. A variety of small molecules have been discovered that can increase the rate of protein degradation through either mechanism. However, stimulation of the ubiquitin-independent system is likely to be the most therapeutically impactful for protein-accumulation diseases. Preliminary evidence has demonstrated efficacy of this approach for reducing proteins associated with disease. To advance the field forward, validation of this mechanism in a disease model as well as more detailed studies on how much stimulation is required to achieve a therapeutic effect must be performed