Evaluation of advanced light scattering technology for microgravity experiments

The capabilities of modern light scattering equipment and the uses it might have in studying processes in microgravity are evaluated. Emphasis is on the resolution of polydisperse systems. This choice was made since a major use of light scattering was expected to be the study of crystal growth of macromolecules in low gravity environments. An evaluation of a modern photon correlation spectrometer and a Mie spectrometer is presented

Ion mass spectrometer for special uses

Prototype of curved-electrode, Paul-type, quadrupole, electrodynamic mass filter has the mass-resolution and transmission-factor properties expected from both theoretical considerations and results of experiments using linear quadrupole features

The Sale, Lease or Exchange of Indian Water Rights for Energy Development

34 pages. Contains references

Decision support system for conjunctive stream-aquifer management

August 1995.Includes bibliographical references (pages [115]-124).Grant no. 14-08-0001-G1551-04, Project no. 03

Early affective changes and increased connectivity in preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

IntroductionAffective changes precede cognitive decline in mild Alzheimer's disease and may relate to increased connectivity in a "salience network" attuned to emotionally significant stimuli. The trajectory of affective changes in preclinical Alzheimer's disease, and its relationship to this network, is unknown.MethodsOne hundred one cognitively normal older adults received longitudinal assessments of affective symptoms, then amyloid-PET. We hypothesized amyloid-positive individuals would show enhanced emotional reactivity associated with salience network connectivity. We tested whether increased global connectivity in key regions significantly related to affective changes.ResultsIn participants later found to be amyloid positive, emotional reactivity increased with age, and interpersonal warmth declined in women. These individuals showed higher global connectivity within the right insula and superior temporal sulcus; higher superior temporal sulcus connectivity predicted increasing emotional reactivity and decreasing interpersonal warmth.ConclusionsAffective changes should be considered an early preclinical feature of Alzheimer's disease. These changes may relate to higher functional connectivity in regions critical for social-emotional processing

Water levels and artesian pressure in wells in Las Vegas Valley and in other valleys in Nevada, 1913-1945

The rock formations of the earth are great natural reservoirs in which a part of the water derived from rain and snow is stored. Water levels and artesian pressure in wells register the stages of these natural reservoirs. The changes in water levels or artesian pressure are indicative of the depletion or replenishment of the natural reservoirs. Systematic and periodic measurements of water levels and artesian pressure in wells have been made in Nevada, by State and Federal agencies from time to time. However, only a few of these measurements have ever been published. Under the cooperative arrangement between the State Engineer of Nevada and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, beginning in July 1944, a considerable effort was made to assemble and compile the authentic available records of measurements for publication. Such a compilation provides a permanent record, readily available, for future reference. The result of this compilation is set forth in this report. It is the third in the series of Nevada Water Resources Bulletins prepared by the U. S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey, in cooperation with the State Engineer

Prenatal aromatase inhibition alters postnatal immunity in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus)

In birds, exposure to exogenous testosterone during embryonic development can suppress measures of immune function; however, it is unclear whether these effects are due to direct or indirect action via aromatization. Estradiol (E2) is synthesized from testosterone by the enzyme aromatase, and this conversion is a necessary step in many signaling pathways that are ostensibly testosterone-dependent. Many lines of evidence in mammals indicate that E2 can affect immune function. We tested the hypothesis that some of the immunomodulatory effects observed in response to in ovo testosterone exposure in birds are mediated by conversion to E2 by aromatase, by using fadrozole to inhibit aromatization of endogenous testosterone during a crucial period of embryonic immune system development in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus). We then measured total IgY antibody count, response to PHA challenge, mass of thymus and bursa of Fabricius, and plasma testosterone post-hatch on days 3 and 18. Because testosterone has a reputation for immunosuppression, we predicted that if modulation of an immune measure by testosterone is dependent on aromatization, then inhibition of estrogen production by fadrozole treatment would lead to elevated measures of that parameter. Conversely, if testosterone inhibits an immune measure directly, then fadrozole treatment would likely not alter that parameter. Fadrozole treatment reduced circulating E2 in female embryos, but had no effect on males or on testosterone in either sex. Fadrozole-treated chicks had decreased day 3 plasma IgY antibody titers and a strong trend towards increased day 18 thymic mass. Furthermore, fadrozole treatment generated a positive relationship between testosterone and thymic mass in males, and tended to increase day 18 IgY levels for a given bursal mass in females. There was no effect on PHA response, bursal mass, or plasma testosterone at either age post-hatch. The alteration of several indicators of immune function in fadrozole-treated chicks implicates aromatization as a relevant pathway through which developmental exposure to testosterone can affect immunity in bird

Multi-Fidelity Design Optimization of a Long-Range Blended Wing Body Aircraft with New Airframe Technologies

The German Cluster of Excellence SE²A (Sustainable and Energy Efficient Aviation) is established in order to investigate the influence of game-changing technologies on the energy efficiency of future transport aircraft. In this paper, the preliminary investigation of the four game-changing technologies active flow control, active load alleviation, boundary layer ingestion, and novel materials and structure concepts on the performance of a long-range Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft is presented. The BWB that was equipped with the mentioned technologies was designed and optimized using the multi-fidelity aircraft design code SUAVE with a connection to the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code SU2. The conceptual design of the BWB aircraft is performed within the SUAVE framework, where the influence of the new technologies is investigated. In the second step, the initially designed BWB aircraft is improved by an aerodynamic shape optimization while using the SU2 CFD code. In the third step, the performance of the optimized aircraft is evaluated again using the SUAVE code. The results showed more than 60% reduction in the aircraft fuel burn when compared to the Boeing 77

Audit of the autoantibody test, EarlyCDT®-Lung, in 1600 patients: An evaluation of its performance in routine clinical practice

ObjectivesEarlyCDT®-Lung may enhance detection of early stage lung cancer by aiding physicians in assessing high-risk patients through measurement of biological markers (i.e., autoantibodies). The test's performance characteristics in routine clinical practice were evaluated by auditing clinical outcomes of 1613 US patients deemed at high risk for lung cancer by their physician, who ordered the EarlyCDT-Lung test for their patient.MethodsClinical outcomes for all 1613 patients who provided HIPAA authorization are reported. Clinical data were collected from each patient's treating physician. Pathology reports when available were reviewed for diagnostic classification. Staging was assessed on histology, otherwise on imaging.ResultsSix month follow-up for the positives/negatives was 99%/93%. Sixty-one patients (4%) were identified with lung cancer, 25 of whom tested positive by EarlyCDT-Lung (sensitivity = 41%). A positive EarlyCDT-Lung test on the current panel was associated with a 5.4-fold increase in lung cancer incidence versus a negative. Importantly, 57% (8/14) of non-small cell lung cancers detected as positive (where stage was known) were stage I or II.ConclusionsEarlyCDT-Lung has been extensively tested and validated in case–control settings and has now been shown in this audit to perform in routine clinical practice as predicted. EarlyCDT-Lung may be a complementary tool to CT for detection of early lung cancer

Greased Lightning (GL-10) Flight Testing Campaign

Greased Lightning (GL-10) is an aircraft configuration that combines the characteristics of a cruise efficient airplane with the ability to perform vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). This aircraft has been designed, fabricated and flight tested at the small unmanned aerial system (UAS) scale. This technical memorandum will document the procedures and findings of the flight test experiments. The GL-10 design utilized two key technologies to enable this unique aircraft design; namely, distributed electric propulsion (DEP) and inexpensive closed loop controllers. These technologies enabled the flight of this inherently unstable aircraft. Overall it has been determined thru flight test that a design that leverages these new technologies can yield a useful VTOL cruise efficient aircraft