Thomas D. Perry

Corrosion of aluminum alloy 2024 by microorganisms isolated from aircraft fuel tanks

Abstract Microorganisms frequently contaminate jet fuel and cause corrosion of fuel tank metals. In the past, jet fuel contaminants included a diverse group of bacteria and fungi. The most common contaminant was the fungus Hormoconis resinae. However, the jet fuel community has been altered by changes in the composition of the fuel and is now dominated by bacterial contaminants. The purpose of this research was to determine the composition of the microbial community found in fuel tanks containing jet propellant-8 (JP-8) and to determine the potential of this community to cause corrosion of aluminum alloy 2024 (AA2024). Isolates cultured from fuel tanks containing JP-8 were closely related to the genus Bacillus and the fungi Aureobasidium and Penicillium. Biocidal activity of the fuel system icing inhibitor diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is the most likely cause of the prevalence of endospore forming bacteria. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and metallographic analysis of AA2024 exposed to the fuel tank environment indicated that the isolates caused corrosion of AA2024. Despite the limited taxonomic diversity of microorganisms recovered from jet fuel, the community has the potential to corrode fuel tanks.

Settlement inhibition of fouling invertebrate larvae by metabolites of the marine bacterium halomonas marina within a polyurethane coating

The marine bacterium, Halomonas marina (ATCC 27129), was shown to inhibit settlement and development of the sessile invertebrates Balanus amphitrite and Bugula neritina. Different bacterial treatments were employed to investigate this interaction. Filmed bacteria and liquid suspensions of whole cells, lysed cells and culture filtrate all reduced settlement of B. amphitrite. Polyurethane coatings containing whole cells were partially inhibitory while lysed cells caused complete inhibition of B. amphitrite larval settlement. In contrast, culture filtrate in a polyurethane matrix stimulated settlement of B. amphitrite larvae. Whole cells, culture filtrate, and lysed cells embedded in a polyurethane coating also controlled B. neritina settlement and maturation.

Polypoid adenomas of the stomach

Abstract Patients with polypoid adenomas of the stomach may be divided into two groups, those with solitary and those with multiple polyps. A series of twenty-three patients is reviewed with emphasis on clinical findings and management. There were four malignant polyps in the series indicating the need for careful observation and frequent surgery. Polyps over 2 cm. in diameter should be excised.

Thirty-nine cases of appendicitis in a single family pedigree

Abstract A review of the literature shows that a number of diverse hereditary constitutions are probably conducive to appendicitis. We present a pedigree containing thirty-nine individuals who have suffered from appendicitis. The tendency to appendicitis is hereditary in this pedigree, and seems to involve the transmission of several different types of predisposition.

Design, analysis, and performance verification of the interface region imaging spectrograph (IRIS) telescope primary mirror assembly

We discuss the details of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) telescope primary mirror assembly designcompared to its predecessor used in the Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO-AIA) telescopes. Also included are details of the structural modeling and analysis, mirror optical surface modeling, vibration analysis, and a detailed description of the optical performance verification test program and results.The primary mirror assembly of the IRIS telescope was adapted from an existing design used on the SDO-AIA telescopes. The IRIS telescope was optimized for performance at 1369Å and 2810Å with a required 0.4 arc-second-resolution calling for a significant improvement to the mounted mirror optical surface quality over the existing SDOAIA design.To improve the optical performance, the proven bonded flexure heritage design was augmented with a novel “kinematic” mount used to secure the assembly to the telescope tube. The 200mm diameter concave mirror was fabricated from Corning ULE/RE Code 7973 EUV Premium Grade, Ultra Low Expansion Glass material and polished to better than 12ÅRMS surface roughness. The mirror is supported by three bonded titanium flexures fastened to a rigid titanium cell plate.A 25Å RMS figure error was allocated in the error budget for the mounted, coated primary mirror. The first moderesonance for the mirror was specified to be <100 Hz while surviving an expected launch load of 30G’s. The mirrorassembly was designed to operate from +14°C to +26°C with survival limits specified at -20°C to +35°C.

Structure and dynamics of microbe-exuded polymers and their interactions with calcite surfaces.

Cation binding by polysaccharides is observed in many environments and is important for predictive environmental modeling, and numerous industrial and food technology applications. The complexities of these organo-cation interactions are well suited to predictive molecular modeling studies for investigating the roles of conformation and configuration of polysaccharides on cation binding. In this study, alginic acid was chosen as a model polymer and representative disaccharide and polysaccharide subunits were modeled. The ability of disaccharide subunits to bind calcium and to associate with the surface of calcite was investigated. The findings were extended to modeling polymer interactions with calcium ions.