A band clamp with a spring toggle lever

Clamp could have several applications, as it provides tolerance for both expansion and contraction. It might be useful with firemen's breathing apparatus and luggage racks and other freight-carrying equipment. Also, using same piece as handle and spring reduces production costs by reducing number of parts

Self-contained breathing apparatus

A self-contained breathing apparatus with automatic redundant fluid pressure controls and a facemask mounted low pressure whistle alarm is described. The first stage of the system includes pair of pressure regulators connected in parallel with different outlet pressures, both of which reduce the pressure of the stored supply gas to pressures compatible with the second stage breathing demand regulator. A primary regulator in the first stage delivers a low output pressure to the demand regulator. In the event of a failure closed condition of the primary regulator an automatic transfer valve switches on the backup regulator. A warning that the supply pressure has been depleted is also provided by a supply pressure actuated transfer valve which transfers the output of the first stage pressure regulators from the primary to the backup regulator. The alarm is activated in either the failure closed condition or if the supply pressure is reduced to a dangerously low level

The integrated dynamic land use and transport model MARS

Cities worldwide face problems like congestion or outward migration of businesses. The involved transport and land use interactions require innovative tools. The dynamic Land Use and Transport Interaction model MARS (Metropolitan Activity Relocation Simulator) is part of a structured decision making process. Cities are seen as self organizing systems. MARS uses Causal Loop Diagrams from Systems Dynamics to explain cause and effect relations. MARS has been benchmarked against other published models. A user friendly interface has been developed to support decision makers. Its usefulness was tested through workshops in Asia. This paper describes the basis, capabilities and uses of MARS

Utilizing genetic variation to predict and extend long-term kidney transplant function

Abstract: Renal transplantation has transformed the life of patients with end-stage renal disease and other chronic kidney disorders by returning endogenous kidney function and enabling patients to cease dialysis. Several clinical indicators of graft outcome and long-term function have been established. Although rising creatinine levels and graft biopsy can be used to determine graft loss, identifying early predictors of graft function will not only improve our ability to predict long-term graft outcome but importantly provide a window of opportunity to therapeutically intervene to preserve graft function before graft failure has occurred. Since understanding the importance of matching genetic variation at the HLA region between donors and recipients and translating this into clinical practise to improve transplant outcome, much focus has been placed on trying to identify additional genetic predictors of transplant outcome/function. This review will focus on how candidate gene studies have identified variants within immunosuppression, immune response, fibrotic pathways, and specific ethnic groups, which correlate with graft outcome. We will also discuss the challenges faced by candidate gene studies, such as differences in donor and recipient selection criteria and use of small data sets, which have led to many genes failing to be consistently associated with transplant outcome. This review will also look at how recent advances in our understanding of and ability to screen the genome are starting to provide new insights into the mechanisms behind long-term graft loss and with it the opportunity to target these pathways therapeutically to ultimately increase graft lifespan and the associated benefits to patients

The Impact of Berrien Springs Water Types on Multiethnic Hair Textures

This thesis documents an explorative study into the effect of water from various Berrien Springs water sources on the multiethnic hair texture of Andrews University students/faculty. Participants were living in the area for at least five months, whether originally from the United States or other countries of the world. The theory informing this study is the Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT) by Burgoon (1976). EVT is a communication theory that examines the reaction to behaviors within nonverbal communication that are expected or unexpected in a positive or negative light. In this context EVT has not been used to examine nonverbal communication, but the response to beliefs held and inconsistencies experienced by persons moving from an underdeveloped or developing country to a developed one. This issue is personal to the researcher who is from the Caribbean, has very long natural hair (locs), and is now living in Berrien Springs and seeking to better understand the impact of the local water on differing hair types. This study has been informed by participants from across the world and their hair experiences based on a 14-question interview protocol. The data was analyzed for commonality in themes to ascertain if the water is believed by the participants, to be a contributing factor to hair challenges like breakage and thinning. The results of this study suggest a connection between water sources and healthy hair. This relationship is one of correlation rather than causation as it is not yet known how other factors not examined in this research affect hair health. There are some recommendations for how this situation can be addressed

A policy analysis of the federally mandated undergraduate desegregation criteria measured by retention strategies for minority students at a senior public traditionally white institution in Virginia

The purpose of this research was an analysis of the implementation of the federally mandated undergraduate desegregation criteria. This research looked at the development of policy at the federal level, and the subsequent response by the State of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.;Virginia Commonwealth University was selected for this study for two reasons: (1) Virginia Commonwealth University is located in an urban setting which has the largest black population in the state, and (2) this institution has the largest target (identified by the state) of black enrollment than any other public senior institution in Virginia.;Retention strategies were used to measure the implementation of the federal criteria at the institutional level, and the Institutional Integration Scale was used to measure the minority student\u27s academic and social integration with the institution.;It was hypothesized that: There is no statistically significant relationship between the perceived integration of minority and nonminority full-time freshmen students at Virginia Commonwealth University. In addition, several policy questions were addressed: (1) Do the minority retention programs developed by Virginia Commonwealth University incorporate the successful retention elements identified by the retention literature? (2) Do at least half of the freshmen minority students utilize the retention programs? (3) Do the responses of minority students to the Institutional Integration Scale reflect the minority student\u27s participation in the retention programs developed at VCU? (4) Do the federally mandated undergraduate desegregation criteria set forth a policy that will help institutions develop minority retention strategies while meeting the complexity of student retention? and (5) Do the retention strategies outlined in The Virginia Plan provide public senior institutions with examples of successful retention programs or identify variables most likely to affect minority student retention?;In conclusion, there was insufficient evidence from the survey to reject the null hypothesis. The content analysis, however, revealed that the federal undergraduate desegregation criteria lacked elements of successful policy development. In addition, the federal policy lacked direction for the development of retention programs, and a clear understanding of higher education in general.;Policy must be succeeded by better policy built upon the preceding policy, rather than viewed as an end unto itself. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)