Formation of Ge-71 via Thermal Neutron Capture

In this work, the formation rate of 71Ge for a pure germanium sample given a typical environmental neutron flux is examined. This was done using two different methods. The first method involved Monte Carlo simulations of a HPGe PPC detector known as MALBEK interacting with background thermal neutrons. The second method involved an analysis of experimental 71Ge activity data obtained using MALBEK with an estimation of the number of thermal neutrons that MALBEK was exposed to over a 68 hour period. The two 71Ge formation rate values for the first and second methods were found to be 8.2 ± 0.8 x 10[-37]1Ge/s.kg and 7.3 ± 3.6 x 10[-37]1Ge/s.kg respectively.Bachelor of Scienc

High Energy Density Propulsion Systems and Small Engine Dynamometer

This study investigates all possible methods of powering small unmanned vehicles, provides reasoning for the propulsion system down select, and covers in detail the design and production of a dynamometer to confirm theoretical energy density calculations for small engines. Initial energy density calculations are based upon manufacturer data, pressure vessel theory, and ideal thermodynamic cycle efficiencies. Engine tests are conducted with a braking type dynamometer for constant load energy density tests, and show true energy densities in excess of 1400 WH/lb of fuel. Theory predicts lithium polymer, the present unmanned system energy storage device of choice, to have much lower energy densities than other conversion energy sources. Small engines designed for efficiency, instead of maximum power, would provide the most advantageous method for powering small unmanned vehicles because these engines have widely variable power output, loss of mass during flight, and generate rotational power directly. Theoretical predictions for the energy density of small engines has been verified through testing. Tested values up to 1400 WH/lb can be seen under proper operating conditions. The implementation of such a high energy density system will require a significant amount of follow-on design work to enable the engines to tolerate the higher temperatures of lean operation. Suggestions are proposed to enable a reliable, small -engine propulsion system in future work. Performance calculations show that a mature system is capable of month long flight times, and unrefueled circumnavigation of the globe.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineerin

EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL RESILIENCE OF INTERMEDIATE-TEMPERATURE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL ANODES

Solid oxide fuel cells are in the process of reaching maturity as an energy generation technology, but a number of technical challenges exist, namely mechanical and chemical resilience, that hinder the realization of their full potential and widespread deployment. As more research and development work has been performed on intermediate temperature SOFCs based on gadolinium doped ceria, there persists a number of gaps in the understanding of the behavior of these devices. The mechanical properties of component material and SOFC structures in non-ambient conditions, the nature and degree of damage caused by sulfurized hydrocarbon fuels, and the potential for leveraging produced thermal energy are not satisfactorily characterized for GDC-based SOFCs. Mechanical testing of porous GDC and anode supported SOFC coupons from room temperature to 650°C was performed in air and reducing conditions using a test system designed and built for this application. Spherical porosity was determined to result in the higher strength compared to other pore geometries and a positive linear dependence between temperature and strength was determined for SOFC coupons. Additionally, placing the electrolyte layer in compressive stress resulted in higher strengths. Standard SOFCs were operated while exposed to hydrogen and methane containing ppm level hydrogen sulfide concentration. An infiltration technique was used to deposit a fine layer of GDC on the inner surfaces of some cell anodes, and the results of sulfur expose was compared between infiltrated and unmodified cells. GDC infiltration allowed cells to operate stably for hundreds of hours on sulfurized fuel while unmodified cells were fatally damaged in less than two days. A primary and a resulting secondary degradation mechanism were identified and associated with sulfur and carbon respectively through surface analysis. A novel technique for measuring thermal power output of small-scale SOFCs operating on a variety of fuels was developed and used to evaluate electrical and thermal outputs while operating on simulated anaerobic digester biogas. These findings were used to propose a multi-utility generation system centered on a nominal 10 kW SOFC unit fed by anaerobic digesters and capable of producing clean water and electricity for 50 individuals through direct contact membrane distillation driven by captured waste heat from the SOFC

Macrophage pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion is enhanced following interaction with autologous platelets

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Macrophages are the dominant phagocyte at sites of wound healing and inflammation, and the cellular and acellular debris encountered by macrophages can have profound effects on their inflammatory profile. Following interaction with apoptotic cells, macrophages are known to switch to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Activated platelets, however, are also a major component of inflammatory lesions and have been proposed to be pro-inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that macrophage interaction with activated platelets results in an inflammatory response that differs from the response following phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDMs) were co-incubated with autologous activated platelets (AAPs) and the platelet-macrophage interaction was examined by electron microscopy and flow cytometry. The cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23 were also measured during LPS-activated hMDM co-incubation with AAPs, which was compared to co-incubation with apoptotic lymphocytes. Cytokine secretion was also compared to platelets pre-treated with the gluococorticoid dexamethasone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Macrophages trapped and phagocytized AAPs utilizing a mechanism that was significantly inhibited by the scavenger receptor ligand fucoidan. LPS-induced macrophage secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23 was inhibited by co-incubation with apoptotic cells, but enhanced by co-incubation with AAPs. The platelet-dependent enhancement of LPS-induced cytokines could be reversed by pre-loading the platelets with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The interaction of human macrophages with autologous platelets results in scavenger-receptor-mediated platelet uptake and enhancement of LPS-induced cytokines. Therefore, the presence of activated platelets at sites of inflammation may exacerbate pro-inflammatory macrophage activation. The possibility of reversing macrophage activation with dexamethasone-loaded platelets is a promising therapeutic approach to treating unresolved inflammation.</p

Dynein-mediated apical localization of crumbs transcripts is required for Crumbs activity in epithelial polarity

Asymmetrical localization of transcripts coupled with localized translation constitutes an important mechanism widely deployed to regulate gene activity in a spatial manner. The conserved transmembrane protein Crumbs (Crb) is an important regulator of epithelial polarity. However, it remains unclear how Crb is targeted to the apical domain. Here, we show that the cytoplasmic dynein complex transports both Crb protein and transcripts to the apical domain of Drosophila melanogaster follicular cells (FCs). The crb 3′ untranslated region (UTR) is necessary and sufficient for the apical localization of its transcript and this apical transcript localization is crucial for crb function. In crb mutant FCs, Crb protein derived from transgenes lacking the 3′ UTR does not effectively localize to the apical domain and does not effectively restore normal epithelial polarity. We propose that dynein-mediated messenger RNA transport coupled with a localized translation mechanism is involved in localizing Crb to the apical domain to mediate epithelial apicobasal polarity and that this mechanism might be widely used to regulate cellular polarity

A qualitative cross-case analysis of postsecondary students' performance in asynchronous mechanical system laboratories

Asynchronous education activities have grown rapidly through popular distance education delivery techniques. This rapid growth has precluded science, technology, and engineering. Practice oriented disciplines have considered laboratories as key components of the curriculum. The laboratory is the difficulty of teaching such subjects through distance education. Studies have indicated that independent asynchronous study is not suitable for everyone. A qualitative study investigating two cases and utilizing a cross case analysis was performed with the goal of establishing some characteristics found in individuals who are successful, and those who are challenged by asynchronous laboratory study. Also considered were key factors which could aid or impede asynchronous laboratory studies. Case One involved a course on agricultural mechanical systems taught at a Texas four-year university with 13 participants. Case Two involved a course on electrical controls taught at the technical center of a Texas community college with 18 participants. Data were collected from observation - journaling, performance scores, and a questionnaire â interview process; then analyzed using the constant comparative method. To insure trustworthiness; credibility, transferability, and dependability were addressed. The cross-case analysis found no conflicts and reinforced the findings. The findings yielded a list of characteristics of individuals who were successful using asynchronous laboratory studies. Successes represented an elite student profile and support the suggestions of Lemckert and Florance (2002). Students were more likely to be successful when they (a) were autonomous self directed learners; (b) had a prerequisite knowledge framework; (c); had prerequisite technical skills; (d) had high reading and comprehension skills; (e) held intrinsic value for the educational experience; and (f) sought and used instructional resources. The factors discovered which aid or impede asynchronous laboratories are course design and curriculum issues. Asynchronous laboratory studies are more likely to be successful when they (a) provide a responsive system of feedback; (b) introduce study as small, step-wise experiences; (c) do not introduce independent complex concepts; (d) provide sufficient instructor time; (e) standardize computer software and applications; and (f) pilot-test and field-test laboratory equipment and activities. Conclusions drawn indicate limited applications of asynchronous laboratories for select prepared individuals with a critically designed curriculum

Closed Cycle Propulsion for Small Unmanned Aircraft

This study evaluates the merit of closed cycle propulsion systems for use in unmanned systems. The complexity and added weight of closed cycle engines is offset by benefits in high altitude performance, operation in polluted air environments, multi-fuel operation, and potential for flight in low oxygen environments using generic thermal heat sources. Although most closed thermal cycles cannot match the efficiency and power density potential of internal combustion engines (ICE) and turbomachines in aircraft propulsion applications, the addition of design requirements regarding noise output, and operation at high altitude results in IC and CC engine�s performance becoming much more comparable. Muffling devices increase backpressure on internal combustion engines thereby reducing power output and efficiency. Multi stage turbo supercharging for operation at high altitude can in some cases increase efficiency of ICE�s, but at the result of significant additional complexity and cost that also reduces practical reliability because of the often intricate mechanisms involved. It is in these scenarios that closed cycle engines offer a comparable performance alternative that may prove to be simpler, cheaper, and more reliable than high altitude or low noise internal combustion or turbomachine propulsion systems.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineerin

Commentary on using the SF-36 or MOS-HIV in studies of persons with HIV disease

The purpose was to compare and comment on use of the SF-36 and MOS-HIV instruments in studies of persons with HIV disease. Three medical information databases were searched to identify examples of HIV studies that included the MOS-HIV or SF-36. Thirty-nine and 14 published articles were identified for illustration in comparing the use of the MOS-HIV and SF-36 in HIV disease, respectively. Support for the reliability and construct validity of the MOS-HIV and SF-36 was found. Ceiling and floor effects were reported for both the MOS-HIV and SF-36; however, ceiling effects were more common for the MOS-HIV, in part due to fewer items in the physical, social, and role functioning domains. The MOS-HIV measures three domains hypothesized to be associated with the health deterioration of HIV disease not measured by the SF-36; however, these domains may not assess aspects of HIV disease that typify the majority of the persons with HIV disease today. National norms for the U.S. adult population (and other nations) are available for the SF-36. In addition, the SF-36 has been used in a wide variety of patient populations, enabling comparisons of HIV-infected persons with persons with other health conditions. No national norms for the MOS-HIV are available. We conclude that there is currently insufficient evidence in the literature to recommend the use of the MOS-HIV over the SF-36 in HIV-infected persons. Although the SF-36 is not targeted at HIV, it may be preferable to use the SF-36 over the MOS-HIV due to fewer ceiling effects, availability of national norms, and the vast amount of data for other populations in the U.S. and around the world. Head-to-head comparisons demonstrating the unique value of the MOS-HIV over the SF-36 are clearly needed. More importantly, additional work needs to be directed at comparing the MOS-HIV and other putatively HIV-targeted instruments to one another to help demarcate aspects of HRQOL that are truly generic versus specific to HIV disease. Using both a generic and targeted HRQOL measure is a good general strategy, but this has not been a typical practice in studies of HIV because the MOS-HIV is so similar in content to the SF-36

Evidence for cooperative interactions between the two motor domains of cytoplasmic dynein

AbstractCytoplasmic dynein is a force-transducing ATPase that powers the movement of cellular cargoes along microtubules. Two identical heavy chain polypeptides (> 500 kDa) of the cytoplasmic dynein complex contain motor domains that possess the ATPase and microtubule-binding activities required for force production [1]. It is of great interest to determine whether both heavy chains (DHCs) in the dynein complex are required for progression of the mechanochemical cycle and motility, as observed for other dimeric motors. We have used transgenic constructs to investigate cooperative interactions between the two motor domains of the Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein complex. We show that 138 kDa and 180 kDa amino-terminal fragments of DHC can assemble with full-length DHC to form heterodimeric complexes containing only a single motor domain. The single-headed dynein complexes can bind and hydrolyze ATP, yet do not show the ATP-induced detachment from microtubules that is characteristic of wild-type homodimeric dynein. These results suggest that cooperative interactions between the monomeric units of the dimer are required for efficient ATP-induced detachment of dynein and unidirectional movement along the microtubule