Boundary Conditions associated with the General Left-Definite Theory for Differential Operators

In the early 2000's, Littlejohn and Wellman developed a general left-definite theory for certain self-adjoint operators by fully determining their domains and spectral properties. The description of these domains do not feature explicit boundary conditions. We present characterizations of these domains given by the left-definite theory for all operators which possess a complete system of orthogonal eigenfunctions, in terms of classical boundary conditions.Comment: 28 page

Medical applications of diamond magnetometry: commercial viability

The sensing of magnetic fields has important applications in medicine, particularly to the sensing of signals in the heart and brain. The fields associated with biomagnetism are exceptionally weak, being many orders of magnitude smaller than the Earth's magnetic field. To measure them requires that we use the most sensitive detection techniques, however, to be commercially viable this must be done at an affordable cost. The current state of the art uses costly SQUID magnetometers, although they will likely be superseded by less costly, but otherwise limited, alkali vapour magnetometers. Here, we discuss the application of diamond magnetometers to medical applications. Diamond magnetometers are robust, solid state devices that work in a broad range of environments, with the potential for sensitivity comparable to the leading technologies.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figur

The effect of previous wingate performance using one body region on subsequent wingate performance using a different body region

The 30 second Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is the gold standard measure of anaerobic performance. The present investigation aimed to determine if a previous WAnT using one body region significantly affected a subsequent WAnT using a different body region. Twelve male university students (n = 12, 23 ± 2 years, 84 ± 16.1 kg, 178.5 ± 7.4 cm) volunteered to complete two repeated WAnT protocols (either lower body WAnT followed by an upper body WAnTor vice versa) on two separate testing occasions. The upper body WAnT was conducted on a modified electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer using a flywheel braking force corresponding to 5% bodyweight. The lower body WAnT was conducted on an electronically braked cycle ergometer using a flywheel braking force corresponding to 7.5% bodyweight. Participants had a 1 minute rest period for transition between WAnTs. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation. No significant differences were identified in power indices for the lower body between 30 s WAnTs. When the upper body WAnT was performed 2nd, absolute peak power (p < 0.01), mean power (p < 0.001) and relative mean power (p < 0.001) were significantly lower compared to when the upper body WAnT was performed 1st. The value of maximum revolutions per minute was significantly lower (p < 0.001) when the upper body WAnT was performed after the lower body WAnT, compared to when it was performed 1st (193.3 ± 11.4 1st vs 179.8 ± 14.4 2nd). Previous upper body sprint exercise does not significantly affect lower body sprint exercise; however, previous lower body sprint exercise severely compromises subsequent upper body sprint performance

A Trace Metal Content Database Of Cave Sediments Of Midcontinent U.S.A.

The midcontinent of the United States has thousands of documented caves. These caves contain cave sediments, which are the accumulation of biological, geological, and anthropological debris. At this time there is no known database for trace metals of cave sediments of the midcontinent United States. Considering that caves host a wide variety of life, it is important to create a database to examine potential effects of trace metals on cave systems. In order to develop this baseline, 14 caves were sampled from across the midcontinent. Caves were selected based on geologic and hydrologic attributes. The sediments were analyzed for the following suite of metals: Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, La, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, V, and Zn. As documented in this study, metal variation among caves is dictated by land use history, surficial watersheds, and geology. The preliminary results indicated that mineralization and anthropogenic impacts amplified trace metal concentrations in two caves, which were omitted to further evaluate the remaining 12 caves based on geologic and hydrologic factors. When geologic factors were examined, the geochemical variation between evaporites and carbonates resulted in B, Mg, S, and Sr concentrations being clearly associated with evaporites, while the differences between limestone and dolostone are primarily related to the mineralogy. When hydrologic attributes were analyzed, urban areas were more enriched with Cd, Cu, La, Mn, and Zn because of the multitude of potential sources available in urban areas over rural areas

Oatka Creek Water Quality Assessment: Identifying Point and Nonpoint Sources of Pollution with Application of the SWAT Model

In this Oatka Creek study, I determined the sinks and sources of nutrients, sediment and bacteria pollution, evaluated the effectiveness of best management practices on reducing phosphorus and sediment losses from the watershed, and developed a total maximum daily load (TMDL). The objectives were as follows: Objective 1: Conduct segment analyses throughout the Oatka Creek watershed to identify sources of nutrients and sediment. Objective 2: Evaluate nutrient and sediment load contributions of segments of Oatka Creek and its tributaries within the basin and to the Genesee River using discharge measurements and weekly water chemistry monitoring. Objective 3: Create, calibrate and validate a Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to evaluate allocated source contributions, and sources identified via segment analysis and flux (load) measurements and suggest remediation strategies to reduce phosphorus loads and concentrations in Oatka Creek

Sartre and the Nothingness of Consciousness

Sartre’s claim in Being and Nothingness that consciousness is nothingness is typically understood as meaning either that consciousness is not itself, that it is not its objects, that it is not its past, or that it is some sort of state of affairs. Although these interpretations of Sartre are often presented independently of each other, I argue that one can combine several of them in order to arrive at the best understanding of Sartre’s treatment of consciousness. Such an understanding treats consciousness as the state of affairs that is its facticity transcending itself toward its objects. One could also combine the four typical interpretations of Sartre so that consciousness for him is a different state of affairs, specifically the state of affairs that is the appearance of objects along with their various indications. This second way of understanding Sartre’s treatment of consciousness seems inferior to the first way, though, since the former can account for what seemingly motivates the latter. In order to do so, one must utilize certain aspects of Husserl’s description of consciousness, a description that Sartre actually rejects

Genetic Predisposition and M1 Macrophage Polarization Created by Elastin-Derived Peptides Drive Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dynamic vascular disease characterized by inflammatory cell invasion and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Evidence has demonstrated a profound influence of genetic background on AAA formation. The work presented herein discusses two studies: the first demonstrates how genetic components can enhance the susceptibility to AAA formation and the second demonstrates how ECM degradation enhances AAA progression by influencing inflammatory cell phenotypes. An understanding of the pathways involved in AAA pathogenesis can help not only to identify potential patients at risk of AAA development, a heritable disease in which the incriminating component has yet to be discovered, but also to identify therapeutic targets for medical therapy. By using the CaCl2 model of aneurysm formation, we were able to induce aneurysms in two different strains of mice, C57Bl/6 and 129/SvEv. While both strains developed aneurysms, 129/SvEv mice developed larger aneurysms, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, and had higher MMP expression compared to C57Bl/6 mice. We believe this increased susceptibility is due to increased ProMMP-2 expression at baseline. This increase in MMP expression may help to explain why some patients develop aneurysms at faster rates than others or why some patients may be predisposed to aneurysm formation while others form atherosclerotic plaque. Furthermore, our study examines how products released from damage to the aortic wall, particularly the breakdown of elastin and the release of elastin-derived peptides (EDPs), influence the surrounding microenvironment. Pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages initially are recruited to sites of injury but, if their effects are prolonged, can lead to chronic inflammation that prevents normal tissue repair. The EDPs released from aortic wall damage create a pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage phenotype. By using CaCl2 to induce AAA formation, we show how manipulation of this pro-inflammatory response by direct injection of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages can reduce aortic dilation. Antibody-mediated neutralization of EDPs can attenuate aortic dilation by preventing macrophage recruitment to the damaged aortic wall, reducing MMP upregulation, and influencing the M1/M2 phenotype ratio. By manipulating the M1/M2 ratio, we identify a potential therapeutic target in the fight to discover a medical therapy and minimize the need for invasive mechanical intervention in AAA