The association of sigmoidal features and transequatorial interconnecting loops with eruptive solar activity

This thesis examines sigmoidal solar X-ray features and transequatorial-interconnecting loops. Recent studies have suggested that both features exhibit a high probability of eruption to produce a coronal mass ejection (CME). The thesis begins with an introduction to the solar atmosphere and the physics governing its behaviour. The physics involved in flaring and CME onset will then be introduced and difficulties in our understanding of the relationship between these events highlighted. Solar instrumentation and data analysis techniques used throughout this thesis is also introduced together with a discussion of capabilities and limitations. Although many authors have referred to 'sigmoidal' features in the corona, observations have not yet confirmed the nature of such features. Sigmoidal active regions previously observed using Yohkoh/SXT alone form the basis of a multi-wavelength study incorporating SOHO/LASCO, EIT and MDI observations, together with ground-based H-alpha data. Regions previously classified as 'sigmoidal' are frequently found to comprise several shorter loops, the overall projection of which appears to form a single S (or reverse-S) shaped feature. An example of a non-active region sigmoid is studied in terms of its morphology, CME and flaring activity over three solar rotations. This study is the first to consider a sigmoidal feature unconfined by a single active region in detail. The region's flaring and CME activity is studied and the relative timing of eruptive activity and sigmoid appearance is considered. Previous studies have shown transequatorial loop systems (TLS), connecting active regions in opposite hemispheres to disappear in association with CME onset. This thesis describes a number of TLS in terms of their formation, morphology and associated CME and flaring activity. TLS are found to exhibit a variety of responses to CME onset including both brightening and dimming. Loops extending over a wide range in latitude appear more likely to be associated with CME onset

Edible Insects and the Future of Food

Some experts think that edible insects could be a good option for sustainable protein production and consumption, and one of the keys to global food security in a world of nine billion people or more. We used the methods of Foresight to explore the potential of insect-eating within four different future scenarios. Interestingly, edible insects featured as a plausible part of all four imagined futures. This suggests that eating insects might become mainstream in a few decades. However, questions remain about the economic viability and food safety of insect-based foods. Research into these questions is necessary and justified.UK Department for International Developmen

Substrate Release Mechanisms for Gas Metal Arc 3-D Aluminum Metal Printing. 3D Printing &Additive Manufacturing

International audienceLimited material options, prohibitively expensive equipment, and high production costs currently limit the ability of small and medium enterprises to use 3-D printing to prototype and manufacture metallic goods. A low-cost open-source 3-D metal printer that utilizes gas metal arc welding technology has been developed that could make metal printing accessible to the average consumer. Unfortunately, this technology would demand access to expensive cutting tools for part removal from the substrate. This paper investigates several substrate treatments to provide a low-cost method to easily remove 3-D printed 1100 aluminum parts from a reusable substrate. Coatings of aluminum oxide and boron nitride on 1100 aluminum and A36 low carbon steel substrates were tested. Lap shear tests were performed to assess the interlayer adhesion between the printed metal part and the print substrate. No warping of the substrate was observed during printing. It was determined that boron nitride coated low carbon steel provided the lowest adhesion strength. Printing aluminum on uncoated low carbon steel also allowed easy removal of the aluminum part with the benefit of no additional coating steps or costs

Austenite Formation and Manganese Partitioning during Double Soaking of an Ultralow Carbon Medium-Manganese Steel

Double soaking (DS) is a thermal processing route intended to produce austenite–martensite microstructures in steels containing austenite-stabilizing additions and consists of intercritical annealing (primary soaking), followed by heating and brief isothermal holding at an increased temperature (secondary soaking), and quenching. Herein, experimental dilatometry during DS of a medium-manganese (Mn) steel with nominally 7 wt% Mn and an ultralow residual carbon concentration, in combination with phase-field simulations of austenite formation during secondary soaking, is presented. The feasibility of maintaining heterogeneous Mn distributions during DS is demonstrated and insight is provided on the effects of the secondary soaking temperature and prior Mn distribution on the ferrite-to-austenite phase transformation during the secondary soaking portion of the DS treatment

The use of targeted sequencing and flow cytometry to identify patients with a clinically significant monocytosis

The diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) remains centred on morphology, meaning the distinction from a reactive monocytosis is challenging. Mutational analysis and immunophenotyping have been proposed as potential tools for diagnosis however have not been formally assessed in combination. We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of these technologies by performing targeted sequencing, in parallel to current gold standard techniques, on consecutive samples referred for investigation of monocytosis over a 2-year period (n=283). Results were correlated with the morphological diagnosis and objective outcome measures including overall survival (OS) and longitudinal blood counts. Somatic mutations were detected in 79% of patients, being invariably identified in those with a confirmed diagnosis (99%) though also in 57% of patients with non-diagnostic BM features. The OS in non-diagnostic mutated patients was indistinguishable from those with CMML (p=0.118) and significantly worse than unmutated patients (p=0.0002). On multivariate analysis age, ASXL1, CBL, DNMT3A, NRAS & RUNX1 mutations retained significance. Furthermore, the presence of a mutation was associated with a progressive fall in haemoglobin/platelet levels and increasing monocyte counts compared with mutation negative patients. Of note, the immunophenotypic features of non-diagnostic mutated patients were comparable to CMML patients and the presence of aberrant CD56 was highly specific for detecting a mutation. Overall, somatic mutations are detected at high frequency in patients referred with a monocytosis irrespective of diagnosis. In those without a WHO defined diagnosis, the mutation spectrum, immunophenotypic features and OS are indistinguishable from CMML patients and these patients should be managed as such

Future Trend and Fundamental Technologies for Mobile Communications : Promising Solutions for Increasing Spectrum Efficiency

With advances and diversification in the private and business sectors of society, the use of mobile communication systems is spreading at a quickening pace. The users of these mobile communication system find merit in being able to place and receive calls whenever and wherever they desire. It has been remarkable where popularization of communication systems carried via radio waves over recent years. Effective utilization of the radio frequency resources is eager to be promised in narrowing spectrum occupancy bandwidth or saving transmission power in order to prevent radio resources from exhaustion. Such indispensable technologies as the Hilbert transformer, syllabic compander, RZ SSB, and phased array antenna are discussed to facilitate forecomming vehicular communication systems with super large traffic capacity

Let’s Wiggle with 5-2-1-0: Curriculum Development for Training Childcare Providers to Promote Activity in Childcare Settings

Overweight and obesity are increasing in preschool children in the US. Policy, systems, and environmental change interventions in childcare settings can improve obesity-related behaviors. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot an intervention to train childcare providers to promote physical activity (PA) in childcare classrooms. An evidence scan, key informant (n=34) and focus group (n=20) interviews with childcare directors and staff, and environmental self-assessment of childcare facilities (n=22) informed the design of the training curriculum. Feedback from the interviews indicated that childcare providers believed in the importance of teaching children about PA and were supportive of training teachers to incorporate PA into classroom settings. The Promoting Physical Activity in Childcare Setting Curriculum was developed and training was implemented with 16 teachers. Participants reported a positive experience with the hands-on training and reported acquiring new knowledge that they intended to implement in their childcare settings. Our findings highlight the feasibility of working with childcare staff to develop PA training and curriculum. Next steps include evaluating the curriculum in additional childcare settings and childcare staff implementation of the curriculum to understand the effectiveness of the training on PA levels of children

Analysis of ligation and DNA binding by Escherichia coli DNA ligase (LigA).

NAD+-dependent DNA ligases are essential enzymes in bacteria, with the most widely studied of this class of enzymes being LigA from Escherichia coli. NAD+-dependent DNA ligases comprise several discrete structural domains, including a BRCT domain at the C-terminus that is highly-conserved in this group of proteins. The over-expression and purification of various fragments of E. coli LigA allowed the investigation of the different domains in DNA-binding and ligation by this enzyme. Compared to the full-length protein, the deletion of the BRCT domain from LigA reduced in vitro ligation activity by 3-fold and also reduced DNA binding. Using an E. coli strain harbouring a temperature-sensitive mutation of ligA, the over-expression of protein with its BRCT domain deleted enabled growth at the non-permissive temperature. In gel-mobility shift experiments, the isolated BRCT domain bound DNA in a stable manner and to a wider range of DNA molecules compared to full LigA. Thus, the BRCT domain of E. coli LigA can bind DNA, but it is not essential for DNA nick-joining activity in vitro or in vivo

Early Identification and Prevention of the Spread of Ebola - United States

In response to the 2014-2016 Ebola virus disease (Ebola) epidemic in West Africa, CDC prepared for the potential introduction of Ebola into the United States. The immediate goals were to rapidly identify and isolate any cases of Ebola, prevent transmission, and promote timely treatment of affected patients. CDC\u27s technical expertise and the collaboration of multiple partners in state, local, and municipal public health departments; health care facilities; emergency medical services; and U.S. government agencies were essential to the domestic preparedness and response to the Ebola epidemic and relied on longstanding partnerships. CDC established a comprehensive response that included two new strategies: 1) active monitoring of travelers arriving from countries affected by Ebola and other persons at risk for Ebola and 2) a tiered system of hospital facility preparedness that enabled prioritization of training. CDC rapidly deployed a diagnostic assay for Ebola virus (EBOV) to public health laboratories. Guidance was developed to assist in evaluation of patients possibly infected with EBOV, for appropriate infection control, to support emergency responders, and for handling of infectious waste. CDC rapid response teams were formed to provide assistance within 24 hours to a health care facility managing a patient with Ebola. As a result of the collaborations to rapidly identify, isolate, and manage Ebola patients and the extensive preparations to prevent spread of EBOV, the United States is now better prepared to address the next global infectious disease threat.The activities summarized in this report would not have been possible without collaboration with many U.S. and international partners (http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/partners.html)