Superfluid Helium Orbital Resupply Coupling

The resupply of superfluid helium to satellites and other space-based experiment packages can increase the useful longevity of these devices far beyond their present life expectancies which are many times determined by the supply of helium coolant. The transfer of superfluid helium to spacecraft in space will require a reusable coupling that functions at 1.8 Kelvin with little heat leak and low pressure drop. Moog has designed the Helium Resupply Coupling to meet these operational requirements. Initially, the coupling manual mode operation will be demonstrated on orbit by an EVA crew member during the Space Shuttle borne Superfluid Helium On-Orbit Transfer (SHOOT) experiment. The ultimate application will use robotic (automatic) coupling operation to which the present design readily adapts. The utilization of Moog's exclusive Rotary Shut-Off (RSO) technology in the development of the Superfluid Helium Resupply Coupling is described. The coupling not only performs the function of a flow control valve and disconnect but also provides adequate safety features for a shuttle launched man-rated payload. In addition, the coupling incorporates the necessary features to provide the high thermal isolation of the internal flow path from the external environment

Mammalian skeletal muscle fibres promote non-muscle stem cells and non-stem cells to adopt myogenic characteristics

Skeletal muscle fibres are unique cells in large animals, often composed of thousands of post-mitotic nuclei. Following skeletal muscle damage, resident stem cells called satellite cells commit to myogenic differentiation and migrate to carry out repair. Satellite stem cells migrate on muscle fibres through amoeboid movement which relies on dynamic cell membrane extension and retraction (blebbing). It is not known whether blebbing is due to intrinsic properties of satellite cells or induced by features of the myofibre surface. Here we determined the influence of the muscle fibre matrix on two important features of muscle regeneration: the ability to migrate and to differentiate down a myogenic lineage. We show that the muscle fibre is able to induce amoeboid movement in non-muscle stem cells and non-stem cells. Secondly we show that prolonged co-culture on myofibres caused amniotic fluid stem cells and breast cancer cells to express MyoD, a key myogenic determinant. Finally we show that amniotic fluid stem cells co-cultured on myofibres are able to fuse and make myotubes that express Myosin Heavy Chain

Adapting a Survey-Class AUV for High Resolution Seafloor Imaging

Over the past four years, development work at the MIT AUV Lab focused on a vehicle that is now almost a decade old. “Xanthos,” one of the last surviving examples of the venerable Odyssey II series of AUVs (developed at MIT in the early 1990s), is a small, deep-rated, low- drag vehicle originally intended for oceanographic survey work. In this project, the AUV Lab pushed the limits of the Odyssey II platform to bring this aging vehicle up to the state of the art in underwater imaging. Originally designed to carry a CTD and ADCP, Xanthos was refit with DVL and AHRS for navigation, and sidescan sonar, high-resolution digital still camera, and high-powered strobe for seafloor imaging. No part of the original vehicle was left untouched; several subsystems were redesigned and rebuilt from scratch to accommodate the new sensors. The ultimate goal: to turn a simple CTD profiler into a tool for deep-water marine archaeology. Xanthos’ rebirth culminated in a visit to Greece, aboard the Hellenic Center for Marine Research’s R/V “Aegaeo.” This attempt at AUV-based archaeology demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of the re-design, as Xanthos contended with strong currents, navigation failures, sensor limitations, and mechanical damage. Lessons learned from the development of Xanthos as an imaging platform form the foundation of the MIT AUV Lab’s latest project. The “Odyssey IV,” capable of hovering and holonomic maneuvers at depths of up to 3000m, will carry a stereo camera and sonar as its primary sensor payloads

Design and Performance of Odyssey IV: A Deep Ocean Hover-Capable AUV

The Odyssey IV class AUV was designed to fill the evolving needs of research and industry for a deep rated (6000 meter) vehicle, which is capable of both efficient cruising and precise hovering. This AUV is powerful enough to reject currents typical in the open ocean environment and yet small enough to be deployed from a small fishing boat. The thruster layout, two vectored side thrusters and two fixed cross-body thrusters, allow for 4-DOF control, which gives this vehicle precision and flexibility not possible in previous Odyssey class AUVs. An adaptable payload area allows the mounting of sensors, actuators, or other hardware suitable to a particular mission. The dynamic control layer of our behavior-based MOOS software was completely redesigned to take advantage of the capabilities of this vehicle. This is also the first platform to utilize new graphical controls and database-driven logging which increase operator efficiency and make the vehicle safer to operate. Odyssey IV's intended uses include survey and inspection of cold water corals, fisheries, archaeological sites, and subsea infrastructure. It will also serve as a research platform for computer vision-based servoing and acoustic supervisory control. This paper will document the design considerations and implementation of the Odyssey IV, as well as report on a series of field tests culminating in its first scientific deployment at Georges Bank, observing and mapping the invasive tunicate Didemnum.United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Grant NA16RG2255); United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Grant NA06AOR4170019

Isolation and characterisation of neural crest-derived stem cells from adult ovine palatal tissue

Adult mammalian craniofacial tissues contain limited numbers of post-migratory neural crest-derived stem cells. Similar to their embryonic counterparts, these adult multipotent stem cells can undergo multi-lineage differentiation and are capable of contributing to regeneration of mesodermal and ectodermal cells and tissues in vivo. In the present study, we describe for the first time the presence of Nestin-positive neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) within the ovine hard palate. We show that these cells can be isolated from the palatal tissue and are able to form neurospheres. Ovine NCSCs express the typical neural crest markers Slug and Twist, exhibit high proliferative and migratory activity and are able to differentiate into α smooth muscle cells and β-III-tubulin expressing ectodermal cells. Finally, we demonstrate that oNCSCs are capable of differentiating into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic cells. Taken together, our results suggest that oNCSCs could be used as model cells to assess the efficacy and safety of autologous NCSC transplantation in a large animal model

Flooding Tolerance of Six Native Landscape Plants for Use in Southeastern Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are an effective, attractive, and sustainable stormwater management solution for residential areas and urban green spaces. Although design considerations such as size, susbstrate depth, substrate type, and stormwater holding time have been rigorously tested, little research has been conducted on the living portion of rain gardens. This study subjected six landscape plant species native to southeastern United States to repeated short term flooding to evaluate tolerance to the type of flooding seen in rain gardens. Flooding lasted for 2 d followed by 5 d of no inputs for 7 – 8 wks. Plants were evaluated based on initial and final size index, shoot dry weight, leaf: stem dry weight ratio, stomatal conductance, and leaf chlorophyll content. A diverse set of plants with assorted seasonal benefits was chosen and included two evergreen shrubs (Morella cerifera and Illicium floridanum), two herbaceous perennials (Lobelia cardinalis and Chasmanthium latifolium), and two ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides and Osmunda cinnamomea). Assessment of L. cardinalis was not possible due to extensive damage by herbivorous insects. Damage was not related to flooding and undamaged plants demonstrated the ability to withstand repeated short term flooding. Based on the findings in this research, M. cerifera, C. latifolium, and O. cinnamomea are recommended for use in southeastern rain gardens. P. acrostichoides is not recommended for southeastern rain gardens that do not receive supplemental irrigation during dry periods due to suspected drought intolerance. Future studies are needed to determine if I. floridanum and confirm that L. cardinalis would tolerate short term flooding followed by intermittent dry periods

Economic advantages of a municipal motor truck terminal in Boston, Massachusetts

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston Universit

An Investigation into How Engagement with the Context and Processes of Collaborative Devising Affects the Praxis of the Playwright: A Practice-as-Research PhD

The central research inquiry of this dissertation is how the experience of working within a collaborative context, employing the processes of devising, affects a playwright. It springs from the presentiment that the processes of devising are significantly different than traditional playwriting methodologies and have the potential to offer short and long-term benefits to both playwright and collaborators. A central focus of the dissertation is the figure of the writer-deviser as a distinctive artist with a particular skillset developed from both devising praxis and standard playwright training (which traditionally does not emphasise collaborative theatre-making). This dissertation therefore examines the historical and contemporary context of the writer-deviser in order to provide a foundation for the presentation and exegesis of my practice-as-research: a play written via the devising process and another play written as a solo playwright. The Introduction to this dissertation serves the function of presenting the central research query and associated areas for exploration. It outlines my methodological approach, placing it within the context of the discourse on performance-related practice-as-research, whilst identifying a gap within this discourse of the treatment of the playwright. Chapter One presents an overview of devising in its historical and contemporary context. The chapter also functions to identify positive aspects of devising which may aid a playwright’s development, and, alternatively, pinpoint problematic issues associated with devising. Chapter Two provides an overview of pedagogical approaches to playwright development. Original research is presented via a playwrights’ survey on training and experiences of devising. Pedagogical approaches which may aid the writer-deviser are identified, and areas of weakness revealed. Chapter Three defines the concept of the writer-deviser, incorporating challenges to the dramatic/postdramatic and text/performance binaries. This is achieved through commentary on historical and contemporary examples of writers working in a collaborative context. Chapter Four further develops the figure of the writer-deviser through a case study of Bryony Lavery, providing a close analysis of two scripts created using devising methodology, and one written as a solo playwright. Chapter Five presents the exegesis of practice-as-research section of this dissertation, with reference to the devised play The 9.21 to Shrub Hill and the non-devised play Playground, which are presented in a section entitled ‘Playscripts’. An outline of the process of both productions is provided, linked closely to the discourse of the preceding chapters of this dissertation. Based on a comparison of the two processes, findings are revealed and suggestions for other writer-deviser practitioners and devising companies are presented in a Toolkit. The conclusion reflects on the argument of the dissertation and its realization within the playscripts, and highlights areas for further investigation