Status of Rockwell-ERC high efficiency solar cell programs

Programs aimed at developing large area, high efficiency GaAs heteroface cells for low concentration space applications and high concentration terrestrial applications as well as other programs aimed at developing high efficiency multicolor devices for use in similar applications are described. An additional program aimed at achieving improved power to weight ratio by parting thin film solar cells from their growth substrates prior to their incorporation into an array assembly is also described. There is potential for multiple reuse of the substrates which could lead to reduced costs for such devices. Highlights of these programs and their interrelated contributions toward the goals of reducing specific weight, volume and cost of photovoltaic space power systems are discussed. Overall goals are summarized and current programs and their funding sources are listed

VV ECMO for Treatment of Severe ARDS in CoVID-19 Patients at UNMC

Abstract Introduction: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is an indicated treatment for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) refractory to conventional medical treatment. Severe ARDS is a common complication of CoVID-19 infection. Subsequently, the efficacy of VV ECMO in CoVID-19 severe ARDS patients must be investigated. ECMO is a resource-intensive treatment modality, meaning that its use must be reserved for patients with robust indications and paucity of contraindications. Methods: We performed retrospective chart review of three patients at the University of Nebraska Medical Center that were placed on VV ECMO secondary to severe ARDS from CoVID-19 infection. Results: All patients were male with a median age of 39 years. Two patients were of Hispanic descent, and the third was of Asian descent. No patients had underlying lung disease, and all patients had type II diabetes mellitus. Median time on mechanical ventilation prior to ECMO cannulation was six days. Median duration of ECMO treatment was 21 days with a range of 17 to 27 days. All patients were decannulated from ECMO during their hospital stay, and all patients survived to 60 days post-hospital discharge. Complications while on ECMO included GI bleeding in two patients, hematuria in one patient, necessitation of vasodilator and vasopressor support in all patients, AKI in two patients, secondary bacterial pneumonia in two patients, and blood cultures positive for gram-positive organisms in all patients. No patients suffered DVT or CVA. All patients required pRBC transfusion during ECMO treatment. Two patients were treated with remdesivir and one patient received baricitinib, a JAK-inhibitor. Conclusion: VV ECMO is a viable treatment for patients with severe ARDS secondary to CoVID-19 infection that have failed conventional therapy. Stringent adherence to inclusion and exclusion criteria is imperative. VV ECMO combined with lung protective ventilation strategies with a focus on minimizing driving pressure can provide life-saving treatment to patients with severe ARDS secondary to CoVID-19 infectio

Satellite data support to the PRE-STORM operations center, May-June 1985

September 1985.Includes bibliographical references.The activities of CIRA are described with regard to satellite support of the field phase of the Oklahoma-Kansas PRE-STORM experiment, and to the ongoing research projects which make use of PRE-STORM data sets. Routine GOES imagery and VAS products were displayed on a personal computer (PC) workstation located in the PRE-STORM operations support facility. Half-hourly visible and infrared imagery, two-hourly water vapor imagery, and a number of derived VAS sounding products were available in real-time. The impact of the PC workstation on PRESTORM operations is discussed. The image display and analysis products, and VAS data products for use on the PC workstation are described in detail. Finally, PC data archival procedures and preliminary plans for future research are presented.This Report was supported under NOAA Grants - #NA84AA-D-00017 - Mesoscale Analysis and Forecast Product Development for Severe Storm Nowcasting and #NA84AA-H-00020 - Research and Development Activities in Support of the NOAA Operational VAS Assessment (NOVA) Program

Developmental Effects of Perfluorononanoic Acid in the Mouse Are Dependent on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Alpha

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) is one of the perfluoroalkyl acids found in the environment and in tissues of humans and wildlife. Prenatal exposure to PFNA negatively impacts survival and development of mice and activates the mouse and human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα). In the current study, we used PPARα knockout (KO) and 129S1/SvlmJ wild-type (WT) mice to investigate the role of PPARα in mediating PFNA-induced in vivo effects. Pregnant KO and WT mice were dosed orally with water (vehicle control: 10 ml/kg), 0.83, 1.1, 1.5, or 2 mg/kg PFNA on gestational days (GDs) 1–18 (day of sperm plug = GD 0). Maternal weight gain, implantation, litter size, and pup weight at birth were unaffected in either strain. PFNA exposure reduced the number of live pups at birth and survival of offspring to weaning in the 1.1 and 2 mg/kg groups in WT. Eye opening was delayed (mean delay 2.1 days) and pup weight at weaning was reduced in WT pups at 2 mg/kg. These developmental endpoints were not affected in the KO. Relative liver weight was increased in a dose-dependent manner in dams and pups of the WT strain at all dose levels but only slightly increased in the highest dose group in the KO strain. In summary, PFNA altered liver weight of dams and pups, pup survival, body weight, and development in the WT, while only inducing a slight increase in relative liver weight of dams and pups at 2 mg/kg in KO mice. These results suggest that PPARα is an essential mediator of PFNA-induced developmental toxicity in the mouse

Amplification, cloning, and sequencing of a nifH segment from aquatic microorganisms and natural communities

By use of the polymerase chain reaction and degenerate oligonucleotide primers for highly conserved regions of nifH, a segment of nifH DNA was amplified from several aquatic microorganisms, including an N2-fixing bacterium closely associated with the marine filamentous cyanobacterium Trichodesmium sp., a heterotrophic isolate from the root/rhizome of the seagrass Ruppia maritima, and the heterocystous freshwater cyanobacterium Anabaena oscillarioides. nifH segments were amplified directly from DNA extracted from the rhizosphere of roots of the seagrass Halodule wrightii. The nifH fragments were then cloned and sequenced. The DNA and deduced amino acid sequences were compared with known sequences, revealing distinct differences between taxonomic groups. This technique was shown to be useful for (i) the detection of N2-fixing microorganisms and (ii) rapidly obtaining the DNA sequence of the nifH gene, which provides information about general taxonomic groups of N2-fixing microorganisms

Temporal variability of nitrogen fixation and particulate nitrogen export at Station ALOHA

We present nearly 9 yrs (June 2005–December 2013) of measurements of upper‐ocean (0 m to 125 m) dinitrogen (N2) fixation rates, coupled with particulate nitrogen (PN) export at 150 m, from Station ALOHA (22° 45′N, 158°W) in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Between June 2005 and June 2012, N2 fixation rates were measured based on adding the 15N2 tracer as a gas bubble. Beginning in August 2012, 15N2 was first dissolved into filtered seawater and the 15N2‐enriched water was subsequently added to N2 fixation incubations. Direct comparisons between methodologies revealed a robust relationship, with the addition of 15N2‐enriched seawater resulting in twofold greater depth‐integrated rates than those derived from adding a 15N2 gas bubble. Based on this relationship, we corrected the initial period of measurements, and the resulting rates of N2 fixation averaged 230 ± 136 μmol N m−2 d−1 for the full time series (n = 71). Analysis of the 15N isotopic composition of sinking PN, together with an isotope mass balance model, revealed that N2 fixation supported 26–47% of PN export during calendar years 2006–2013. The N export derived from these fractional contributions and measured N2 fixation rates ranged between 502 and 919 μmol N m−2 d−1, which are equivalent to rates of net community production (NCP) of 1.5 to 2.7 mol C m−2 yr−1, consistent with previous independent estimates of NCP at this site