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Hydrogen Splitting with Solar Thermochemistry
No full textTo investigate the production of solar hydrogen with perovskite redox cycles, we have developed two experimental platforms. First is an infrared (IR) furnace, which can expose perovskite materials to hundreds of redox cycles to evaluate hydrogen production stability. We have synthesized multiple perovskites to evaluate which best produces hydrogen over many cycles. We created a loading procedure and assembly aids to facilitate repeatable loading of the perovskite samples. We configured flow controllers and valves to supply process gases to carry out the perovskite redox cycle, including the option for a flow reversal configuration. Perovskite performance is quantified in terms of the average mole fraction of oxygen evolved during reduction and the mole fraction of fuel produced during oxidation. A Raman Laser Gas Analyzer (RLGA) gives volumetric gas concentration data downstream of the flow. For real-time data logging, we use LabVIEW + Modbus to pull data from the RLGA. The second experimental platform is for evaluating the same perovskite redox cycle approach to hydrogen production, but at a 20 g scale, driven by concentrated sunlight. A reactor cavity was installed onto the reactor table, and a LabVIEW VI was created to monitor and record temperatures for solar-driven hydrogen experiments. To measure the solar resource available while testing, we updated a sun-tracking pyrheliometer from an Arduino-based system to one with a Raspberry Pi. Configuring the tracking system required setting up a GPS to get a precise time, creating a web server to display data, and transferring the existing C++ (Arduino language) to Python
Hormone Therapy and Carpal Tunnel in Postmenopausal Women
No full textObjective: This project aims to investigate the relationship between estrogen and progesterone levels in postmenopausal women with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and to evaluate the potential effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on this population.
Methods: A structured literature review was conducted using Medline via EBSCO and PubMed databases to identify studies published between 2013 and 2024. Keywords included “carpal tunnel syndrome,” “hormone replacement therapy,” and “estrogen.” The Medline search yielded 8 relevant articles, while PubMed returned 9 studies for “carpal tunnel syndrome and estrogen” and 5 for “carpal tunnel syndrome and hormone replacement therapy.” Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving postmenopausal women diagnosed with CTS, excluding premenopausal populations. The primary outcomes examined were the correlation between hormone levels and CTS incidence, and the therapeutic impact of HRT in postmenopausal women.
Results: Findings suggest a possible link between decreased estrogen levels and increased CTS incidence in postmenopausal women. Several studies indicate that HRT may reduce the risk of CTS in this population, likely due to hormonal regulation. However, one study reported a potential increased risk of CTS associated with HRT use, highlighting conflicting evidence in current literature.
Conclusion: While current evidence suggests a possible protective role of HRT against CTS in postmenopausal women, the findings are not conclusive. Given the variation in reported outcomes, clinicians should carefully consider individual patient factors, weighing both potential benefits and risks of HRT as a preventive or therapeutic option for CTS.
Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome, postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy, estrogen, progesterone, women’s healt
Assay Development for the Identification of Novel Therapeutics to Treat Heart Failure and Skeletal Muscle Disorders
No full textThis research is a collaborative effort between Pelagos Pharmaceuticals and Valparaiso University. The overall goal is to develop drugs that will halt and/or reverse congestive heart failure and muscle disorders by targeting two nuclear receptors: the Rev-Erb (REV-ERB) receptors and the estrogen-related receptors (ERRs). The work reported here is focused on the treatment of mouse myoblasts (skeletal muscle cell precursors) with potential ERR agonists and then looking for protective changes in gene expression. Previous studies have shown that activation of ERR can enhance mitochondrial function and certain agonists are effective in enhancing muscle function and reducing fibrosis. Additionally, ERR agonists are effective in maintaining oxidative metabolism which helps protect against induced heart failure in mice. These experiments aim to investigate the effects of SLU-PP-332, an ERR agonist, on the gene expression in both differentiated and undifferentiated myoblasts. Changes in gene expression will be assessed using RNA sequencing. Analysis of the gene expression results will be carried out in collaboration with the Valpo U. Dept of Mathematics. The goal of future work will be to characterize changes in gene expression in response to multiple REV-ERB and ERR agonists in order to identify suitable clinical development candidates for treatment of human disease
Effect of simulated microgravity on Candida albicans amphotericin B resistance
No full textIt is conjectured that exposing Candida albicans (C. albicans) to microgravity increases drug resistance gene expression. To research whether simulated microgravity increases amphotericin B resistance, we inoculated six plates with C. albicans that have been exposed to microgravity (using a clinostat) for 72 hours and six plates with C. albicans exposed to gravity for 72 hours. A disc diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) test was performed as such: the plates were divided into quarters, with 1 disc, either an antifungal or pure water control, placed in each quarter. The test discs were loaded with 10 micrograms (40 microliters) of amphotericin B and the controls were loaded with 40 microliters of pure water. Plates inoculated with the microgravity subjected C. albicans were reintroduced to microgravity for an additional 24 hours and the same was done for the gravity plates. Pictures of the plates were taken after 24 hours and zones of inhibition (ZOIs) calculated using ImageJ software. One experimental set showed an average ZOI of 223 mm2 for the gravity plates and 35 mm2 (n = 6) for the microgravity plates; giving a significant statistical difference, p = 3.61×10–08, between gravity and microgravity plates, meaning that resistance to antifungals was increased by microgravity. Another experiment showed no ZOIs, meaning antifungal resistance was high in both groups. Further testing and analysis are needed to determine the reason for the disparate outcomes of the procedures performed so far
Modeling the White Dwarf Binary Systems Gaia DR2 3150 and GD 803
No full textWhite dwarfs are the final stage in a sun-like star’s life cycle. They are the remnants of the star’s core and are typically made of carbon and oxygen. Sometimes, these white dwarfs can be in orbit with another star, which are referred to as binary systems. We can understand more about white dwarf binaries by using computational modelling. We modelled the two close binary systems of Gaia DR2 3150 and GD 803, which have a white dwarf and a cool main star. This was done by adjusting the values within modeling software for the temperature, mass, and radius of both the white dwarf and sun-like star, along with the inclination of the system and secondary albedo of the sun-like star. The output model was then visually compared to light curves of Gaia DR2 3150 and for light curves and radial velocity curves of GD 803. Here we present our results for each of the two systems and discuss difficulties and possible next steps
Adjunctive Radiotherapy in the Management of Atypical Meningiomas
No full textObjective: This study aims to evaluate whether post-operative adjunctive radiotherapy (PORT) reduces recurrence rates and improves overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with grade II/atypical meningiomas (AMs).
Methods: A systematic search was conducted using Google Scholar with primary search terms including “meningiomas,” “surgical resection,” and “radiotherapy,” yielding 4,830 results. Inclusion criteria were limited to peer-reviewed articles published in English from 2019 or later. Studies published before 2019 or in non-English languages were excluded. Key outcomes analyzed included recurrence rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival.
Results: Evidence suggests that PORT following gross total resection (GTR) of AMs does not significantly improve PFS or OS. However, for patients undergoing subtotal resection (STR), PORT is associated with improved 5-year PFS but does not show a corresponding improvement in OS.
Conclusion: Adjunctive radiotherapy may offer clinical benefit in reducing recurrence and extending progression-free survival in patients with AMs who undergo STR or present with high-risk features. In contrast, for patients with low-risk AMs who have received GTR, PORT does not significantly impact recurrence rates or overall survival and may not be routinely indicated.
Keywords: atypical meningioma, adjunctive radiotherapy, gross total resection, subtotal resection, progression-free survival, recurrence rat
Effect Of Artificial Defoliation On Broccoli Yield
No full textBroccoli plants were artificially defoliated at varying plant growth stages and defoliation intensities to determine bases for control decisions with lepidopterous defoliators. Low levels of defoliation (\u3c25%) did not significantly depress head weight at any treatment date. Higher levels of defoliation severity (50%) depressed head weight when inflicted following the development of small (\u3c2 cm) heads. Only complete defoliation (100%) consistently affected head weights. Because of the great ability of broccoli plants to compensate for leaf loss, most pre heading insecticide applications should be able to be eliminated in Minnesota without yield losses
Michigan Entomological Society Becomes the Great Lakes Entomological Society
No full textMichigan Entomological Society Becomes the Great Lakes Entomological Society. An overview of the rational of the change and history of the society