Violet: The Musical (February 19-20, 25-27, 2016)

Program for Violet: The Musical (February 19-20, 25-27, 2016). To view the photos from this production of Violet: The Musical, please click here

Optical control of solar sails using distributed reflectivity

The dynamics of solar sails with a variable surface reflectivity distribution are investigated. When changing the reflectivity across the sail film, which can be achieved using electro-chromic coatings, the solar radiation pressure forces and torques across the sail film can be controlled without changing the attitude of the spacecraft relative to the Sun and without using mechanical systems. The paper presents two approaches. First, a continuous reflectivity distribution is presented to control the sail attitude under the influence of, for example, gravity gradient torques in Earth orbit. The second approach assumes discrete on/o reflectivity regions across the surface. Both concepts of `optical reconfiguration' of solar sails enable a more flexible steering of the spacecraft and minimize actuation effort

Final Report for Archeological Survey Proposed Roadway Expansion along Business (BS) 71 East (71E), west of La Grange, Fayette County, Yoakum District CSJ 0265-14-008

On behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. (AmaTerra) conducted an archeological survey for the proposed bridge construction along Business (BS) 71 East (71E) in La Grange at the Colorado River in Fayette County, Texas. Work consisted of visual inspection of the entire project area, including 100 percent pedestrian survey and excavation of 17 shovel tests and 11 backhoe trenches. Fieldwork was conducted May 15–17, 2019 by a team of two archeologists. Two archeological sites were recorded, consisting of a deeply buried isolated mussel shell concentration and a scatter of late nineteenth to early twentieth century brick rubble and household trash. Sites 41FY593 and 41FY594 are considered not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places within the project’s Area of Potential effects (APE). The survey team found much of the project area to be heavily disturbed from road construction and maintenance, right-of-way (ROW) grading and maintenance, and utilities trenching and installation. This report recommends that no further archeological work is warranted at any location within the APE. No artifacts were collected as part of this project. All notes and field records will be provided to TxDOT-ENV for curation under Antiquities Permit 8767

Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 457 Swing Bridge Replacement Project at Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Matagorda County, Texas.

Texas Department of Transportation archeologists conducted an intensive cultural resources survey on July 5th and 6th, 2017, of approximately 6.125 acre of existing FM 457 right-of-way (ROW) in Matagorda County, Texas. Investigations occurred prior to the proposed construction of a new bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). The work was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Title 54, U.S. Code § 306108) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (Title 9, Natural Resources Code, Chapter 191). Allen Bettis served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Code Permit No. 8063. The area of potential effects (APE) is defined as the proposed project length (3,107 feet) within the existing 24 to 30-foot-wide FM 457 ROW. Depth of proposed impacts for the roadway are estimated to be no more than 2 feet below the ground surface, while impacts for bridge columns would extend to approximately 10 feet below the ground surface. Approximately 4.2 acres of proposed new ROW would be acquired for this undertaking. The total acreage of the APE is 6.125 acres. A background review revealed that there are no previously conducted archeological survey areas within or adjacent to the APE, the nearest recorded survey is approximately 1 kilometer to the southeast of the APE. No archeological sites are recorded within 1 km of the APE; however, there are three recorded sites just beyond 1 km on either side of the APE along the coastline. Similarly, a review of historic maps indicated that there may be a possibility of Civil War era earthworks in the area of the APE related to the Union blockade. Field investigations consisted of an intensive survey of the APE via the excavation of four mechanical backhoe trenches. Approximately 70 cubic meters of sediment were excavated. No archeological resources were identified. The existing ROW has been extensively modified by road construction, dredge and spoil fill, numerous abandoned utilities, and other developmental activities thereby lessening the potential for intact archeological deposits within the APE. The recently acquired new ROW is equally disturbed in a similar manner. Based on the negative results of the survey, TxDOT recommends no further archeological work

Angiotensin converting enzyme modulates corneal angiogensis in vivo

Purpose: We tested (i) whether a renin-angiotensin system exists within the cornea, and (ii) its role in modulating corneal neovascularization (CNV) in vivo. Methods: Rabbit corneal fibroblast and corneal epithelial cell cultures were used in vitro and New Zealand White rabbits were used in vivo. Total RNA was extracted from cells/tissues and reverse-transcribed to cDNA using standard molecular biological techniques. PCR detected angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (AT1) receptor and angiotensin II (AT2) receptor expression. CNV was induced in rabbit eyes by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using micropocket assay. Animals either received Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, (3 mg/kg) or water IM each day for 12 days. Stereomicroscopy and immunohistochemical techniques were used to measure the length and number of corneal blood vessels. NIH Image Java software was used for quantification. Results: Rabbit corneal fibroblasts showed AT1 receptors but no ACE expression, whereas rabbit corneal epithelium demonstrated ACE but no AT1 receptor expression. Neither of these cells demonstrated AT2 receptors. Enalapril-treated animals showed a roughly 23 percent decrease in the number of blood vessels entering the cornea compared to controls at days 7 and 12. However, due to small sample size (n=4) this data was not found statistically significant. Surprisingly, no appreciable change in corneal blood vessel length was noted between the two groups. Conclusions: This study suggests a renin-angiotensin system exists within the cornea and plays an important role in corneal angiogenesis. More studies are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of Enalapril to control CNV

Child Health Monitoring Description in MCTS at Ranuyoso PHC Lumajang

Infant Mortality Rate in Lumajang was always higher than the infant mortality rate in East Java Province. Ranuyoso is a region with the highest infant mortality rate and AKABA in 2013 and 2014, with 33 and 22 deaths. The Government had implemented a program to improve the health and the consolidation scope is monitored by the Pemantauan Wilayah Setempat Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak (PWS KIA). PWS KIA had not been going well according to its purpose as a tool for monitoring the KIA service coverage to increase the range and quality of KIA services. The purpose of this research was to describe the implementation of PWS KIA for indicators of child in Health Center of Ranuyoso which based on attributes of simplicity, acceptability, sensitivity, representativeness, data quality, timeliness and stability. This research used descriptive method evaluative with coordinator midwife, midwives health center and eight village midwives as the respondent. Description based on the attributes of surveillance system showed that PWS KIA indicator of child in Health Center of Ranuyoso was not simple, sensitive but not supported well by the midwives, the data were less quality, not timely and unstable. Alternative solutions to problems that had been found were to performing the advanced analysis to determine the causality amount variables by midwives, holding routine supervision from the senior midwives, procurement of SOP or guidebook for midwives, and computerizing the recording until reporting start from village midwives, also the making of the attendance and expeditions book to record the reporting date of midwives

Effects of Arachidin-1 and Arachidin-3 on Human Colon Cancer Cells

Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the state of Arkansas and across the United States. Recent research found that peanuts consumption has been correlated with a decreased risk of cancer. Although limited research has been conducted, phenolic antioxidant compounds found in peanuts, arachidin-1 and arachidin-3, are correlated to a decrease in human leukemia and lung cancer cell growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-colon cancer effects of these compounds. Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of purified arachidin-1 and arachidin-3 on Caco-2 cell proliferation. Treatment of cells with arachidin-1 (0, 1, 5, 10µM) and arachidin-3 (0, 5, 10, 20µM) were measured at time points 0, 24, and 48 hours. There was cell reduction for 10 and 20µM treatments of arachidin-3 at time point 24 hours, but no other significant reduction was found. The findings suggest that arachidin-1 and arachidin-3 did not inhibit the growth of human colon cancer cells. Further research needs to be conducted to examine the effects of peanuts stilbenoids, arachidin-1 and archidin-3, as potential anticarcinogenic agents