Autonomous support for microorganism research in space

A preliminary design for performing on orbit, autonomous research on microorganisms and cultured cells/tissues is presented. An understanding of gravity and its effects on cells is crucial for space exploration as well as for terrestrial applications. The payload is designed to be compatible with the Commercial Experiment Transporter (COMET) launch vehicle, an orbiter middeck locker interface, and with Space Station Freedom. Uplink/downlink capabilities and sample return through controlled reentry are available for all carriers. Autonomous testing activities are preprogrammed with in-flight reprogrammability. Sensors for monitoring temperature, pH, light, gravity levels, vibrations, and radiation are provided for environmental regulation and experimental data collection. Additional experimental data acquisition includes optical density measurement, microscopy, video, and film photography. On-board full data storage capabilities are provided. A fluid transfer mechanism is utilized for inoculation, sampling, and nutrient replenishment of experiment cultures. In addition to payload design, representative experiments were developed to ensure scientific objectives remained compatible with hardware capabilities. The project is defined to provide biological data pertinent to extended duration crewed space flight including crew health issues and development of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). In addition, opportunities are opened for investigations leading to commercial applications of space, such as pharmaceutical development, modeling of terrestrial diseases, and material processing

The Value and Impact of a Brief Study Abroad Experience on Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Counseling Students’ Learning

This was an exploratory study that sought to understand the experiences and benefits of counseling graduate students from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). These doctoral and master’s students engaged in a brief study abroad experience centered on learning about the historical aspects of counseling in two European locations (Vienna, Austria and London, England). The qualitative methodology used in this study was the naturalist inquiry method, which emphasizes the importance of here-and-now experiences, critical reflections, and dialogues. With a sample size of eight, these tools allowed for a humanistic portrayal while being flexible enough for a creative synthesis in terms of understanding the process as the data portrayed it. Despite the limitations of having a pre-set program type, limited financial resources, and limited sample: this study discovered four themes in the experiences of the counseling students: (1) Self-fulfillment (believing in my own ability to grow), (2) Engaging in painless deep learning, (3) Values and impact, and (4) Study abroad is a “Big Deal”

High-Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy of the Brown Dwarf Epsilon Indi Ba

We report on the analysis of high-resolution infrared spectra of the newly discovered brown dwarf Epsilon Indi Ba. This is the closest known brown dwarf to the solar system, with a distance of 3.626 pc. Spectra covering the ranges of 2.308-2.317 microns and 1.553-1.559 microns were observed at a spectral resolution of R=50,000 with the Phoenix spectrometer on the Gemini South telescope. The physical paramters of effective temperature and surface gravity are derived by comparison to model spectra calculated from atmospheres computed using unified cloudy models. An accurate projected rotational velocity is also derived.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. Astrophysical Journal Letters, in pres

using provenance data and DNA

Re-examination of the historical range of the greater prairie chicke

Master Grazer: Improving Grazing Management in Kentucky

The Master Grazer Educational Program is the result of funding provided by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board to educate producers on better utilization of grazing lands to improve livestock production and the profitability of the State. County agriculture and natural resource agents, extension specialists, industry contacts and producers work together to make this program a success. The Master Grazer Educational Program began in 2006 as evening lecture sessions taking place in local extension offices. In 2008, the program grew with the addition of a field session that showcased a farm with successful grazing practices, a farm with underdeveloped grazing practices, and a final session for participants to develop their own grazing system. In 2010, the program was modified into the Applied Master Grazer Program. This program placed more emphasis on the importance of the county agriculture. The agents decided which topics would be covered and administered many areas of the program. The program now consists of a minimum of two evening field sessions in which a farm is showcased for a particular topic, as well as one impact session in which participants can interact and contribute to a producer forum. For the purpose of this article, reporting will be focused on the last two years of the Master Grazer Program. The past few years, events such as Grazing Schools, the Advanced Grazing Schools, and Pasture Walks have been held to discuss timely topics of forage and livestock management. Also, the Master Grazer Program has a newsletter, website, and DVD series

Inertial particle trapping in viscous streaming

The motion of an inertial particle in a viscous streaming flow of Reynolds number order 10 is investigated theoretically and numerically. The streaming flow created by a circular cylinder undergoing rectilinear oscillation with small amplitude is obtained by asymptotic expansion from previous work, and the resulting velocity field is used to integrate the Maxey-Riley equation with the Saffman lift for the motion of an inertial spherical particle immersed in this flow. It is found that inertial particles spiral inward and become trapped inside one of the four streaming cells established by the cylinder oscillation, regardless of the particle size, density and flow Reynolds number. It is shown that the Faxén correction terms divert the particles from the fluid particle trajectories, and once diverted, the Saffman lift force is most responsible for effecting the inward motion and trapping. The speed of this trapping increases with increasing particle size, decreasing particle density, and increasing oscillation Reynolds number. The effects of Reynolds number on the streaming cell topology and the boundaries of particle attraction are also explored. It is found that particles initially outside the streaming cell are repelled by the flow rather than trapped

Ocean processes at the Antarctic continental slope

The Antarctic continental shelves and slopes occupy relatively small areas, but, nevertheless, are important for global climate, biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functioning. Processes of water mass transformation through sea ice formation/melting and ocean-atmosphere interaction are key to the formation of deep and bottom waters as well as determining the heat flux beneath ice shelves. Climate models, however, struggle to capture these physical processes and are unable to reproduce water mass properties of the region. Dynamics at the continental slope are key for correctly modelling climate, yet their small spatial scale presents challenges both for ocean modelling and for observational studies. Cross-slope exchange processes are also vital for the flux of nutrients such as iron from the continental shelf into the mixed layer of the Southern Ocean. An © 2014 The Authors

Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Use in a Case of Noncardiogenic Multifocal Perinatal Thromboembolic Stroke

A full-term neonate suffered multifocal cerebral infarctions due to multiple large vessel thrombi. Thrombophilia and cardiovascular assessments were negative, but due to the severity of the lesions and the concern for expansion of the thrombi or future embolic events, treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was initiated. No complications from treatment were experienced. We present this severe case in order to highlight difficult management decisions for newborns with multifocal perinatal thromboembolic stroke and to stress the need for further practice guidelines and research in this area