Redistributing Resources: Henry Maier, the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, and the Movement to Modify Wisconsin\u27s State Shared Revenues

During the 1960s, the City of Milwaukee was enduring fiscal distress. Mayor of Milwaukee, Henry Maier, turned to the State of Wisconsin to modify the state shared revenues formula as a method to increase funding for central cities. Maier created the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, which was comprised of mayors throughout the state, in order to gain the support needed to pass formula changes through legislation. This thesis examines how the Alliance of Cities was able to modify the state shared revenues formula. Although the Alliance faced rejection from the state legislature, two factors enabled a reform. First, the Alliance created a coalition between urban and rural municipalities as well as civic organizations throughout the state. Second, changes in political leadership and a new governor, Patrick Lucey, allowed for the formula changes to be added to the 1971 state budget

Comparative studies on Macrocystis pyrifera and Ecklonia maxima (Laminariales) in South Africa; investigating the use of M. pyrifera as abalone feed in South African aquaculture and assessing the vulnerability of these two species to Marine Heat Waves

Macrocystis pyrifera is a kelp species found along many rocky temperate coastlines throughout the world. This species has been the focus of much research in recent decades, owing to its important ecological role, as well as its many commercial uses. Along the South African coastline M. pyrifera exists in eight known populations, over a limited ca. 200 km distribution. South African M. pyrifera differs from other global populations, as it is shorter in length and develops as small populations, often inshore of populations of the widely distributed and commercially valuable Ecklonia maxima. Very little research has been carried out on South African M. pyrifera. This thesis comprises two comparative studies on South African M. pyrifera, carried out with the aim of increasing our knowledge about the species in South Africa. South African abalone aquaculture has been increasing for many years and farmers are continually searching for new sustainable sources of abalone feed. As more abalone farms are built and existing farms expand, farms that use kelp as a feed, will likely require increased fresh kelp biomass in the future. The first study investigated M. pyrifera as a potential alternative source of supplementary fresh kelp feed for the South African abalone aquaculture industry. A six month comparative abalone feed inclusion trial and growth study was carried out, where the commercially farmed abalone species, Haliotis midae, was provided a diet of either E. maxima (the primary fresh kelp diet in the industry) + SAF 3000® formulated feed or M. pyrifera + SAF 3000® formulated feed. Haliotis midae fed with M. pyrifera + SAF 3000® displayed comparable growth rates to abalone fed a diet of E. maxima + SAF 3000®. No significant differences in the resultant mean Specific Growth Rate (M. pyrifera- 0.19 ± 0.01, E. maxima- 0.18 ± 0.01 % body weight.day-1 ; F= 0.180, df1= 1, df2= 192, p= 0.672), Daily Increment in Shell Length (M. pyrifera- 31.19 ± 2.59, E. maxima- 24.64 ± 2.31 μm.day-1 ; F= 0.853, df1= 1, df2= 192, p= 0.357) and mortality rate (t(10)= 0.263, p= 0.789) were identified between the two diets provided. Mean abalone Condition Factor also showed no significant differences among diets (M. pyrifera- 1.37 ± 0.01, E. maxima- 1.40 ± 0.01 g.mm-1), with the exception of month 2 (F= 4.014, df1= 1, df2= 224, p< 0.05). Additionally, H. midae consumed significantly less M. pyrifera (31.76 ± 2.83 %) than E. maxima (72.70 ± 1.26 %) (t(18)= 13.218, p< 0.05), suggesting potential differences in the Feed Conversion Ratio and/or kelp nutritional composition amongst these two kelp species. Macrocystis pyrifera could thus serve as a possible alternative supplementary kelp feed for the South African abalone industry. However, a sustainable source of M. pyrifera would be required. Moreover, further studies that examine the Feed Conversion Ratio, nutritional content and other important parameters relative to the use of M. pyrifera in aquaculture, should be established to reinforce these findings. At present, anthropogenic climate change arguably poses the largest threat to the world’s oceans. Rising ocean temperatures will increase climatic variability, leading to increases in the frequency, duration and intensity of extreme climatic events such as storms and Marine Heat Waves (MHW’s). The second study investigated the impact of MHW’s on both M. pyrifera and E. maxima recruits. Recruits of both species were exposed to an experimentally simulated MHW for a 72 hour period. Recruits were subjected to four temperature treatments: 15, 17.5, 20 and 22.5 °C. The impact of the simulated MHW on the samples was measured via photosynthetic oxygen production. Evidence of thallus deterioration in the samples was also recorded. The findings demonstrated that the thermal tolerance ranges and optima varied among the two species, with M. pyrifera displaying a greater sensitivity to the simulated MHW. Both species indicated minimal thallus deterioration at 15 °C and 17.5 °C. However, at 20 °C, 80 % of the M. pyrifera recruits and 40 % of the E. maxima recruits displayed signs of thallus deterioration. This increased to 100 % of M. pyrifera recruits and 80 % E. maxima recruits in the 22.5 °C treatment, exhibiting thallus deterioration. Mean oxygen production by M. pyrifera was greatest at 15 °C (1.42 ± 0.12 mg O2.g-1 DW.h1), with oxygen production significantly declining above 17.5 °C (F= 18.410, df1= 3, df2= 16, p< 0.05). Therefore, temperatures just above 17.5 °C likely lie at the upper end of the thermal tolerance range of South African M. pyrifera, with a thermal optima potentially existing at a lower temperature than what was tested. Mean oxygen production by E. maxima was greatest at 17.5 °C (1.92 ± 0.19 mg O2.g-1 DW.h-1) and was significantly reduced at 22.5 °C (F= 4.987, df1= 3, df2= 16, p< 0.05). Ecklonia maxima thus possesses a larger thermal tolerance range in comparison with M. pyrifera, with temperatures between 20 and 22.5 °C representing the upper limit of thermal tolerance for this species. The findings of this study highlight the threat of MHW’s to South African M. pyrifera and E. maxima. Furthermore, the findings assist in explaining the limited distribution of M. pyrifera along the South African coastline. However, further research is required to fully understand the implications of MHW and other warming events on the persistence of these two species in a climate change future

Keratouveitis from Euphorbia cyparissias exposure is a temporal phenomenon

We present the case of an 82-year-old woman with severe keratouveitis secondary to exposure to the plant Euphorbia cyparissias during the month of August. Despite copious irrigation of both eyes, she developed a case of Euphorbia keratouveitis that was typical in its course. Exposure to plant sap from this species should be treated much like an alkaline chemical injury as the pH of the ocular surface may be elevated. E. cyparissias should be carefully handled as it may result in keratouveitis, especially in early autumn

The SMAC mimetic LCL-161 selectively targets JAK2V617F mutant cells.

Background:Evasion from programmed cell death is a hallmark of cancer and can be achieved in cancer cells by overexpression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) directly bind to IAPs and promote apoptosis; thus, SMAC mimetics have been investigated in a variety of cancer types. particularly in diseases with high inflammation and NFĸB activation. Given that elevated TNFα levels and NFĸB activation is a characteristic feature of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), we investigated the effect of the SMAC mimetic LCL-161 on MPN cell survival in vitro and disease development in vivo. Methods:To investigate the effect of the SMAC mimetic LCL-161 in vitro, we utilized murine and human cell lines to perform cell viability assays as well as primary bone marrow from mice or humans with JAK2V617F-driven MPN to interrogate myeloid colony formation. To elucidate the effect of the SMAC mimetic LCL-161 in vivo, we treated a JAK2V617F-driven mouse model of MPN with LCL-161 then assessed blood counts, splenomegaly, and myelofibrosis. Results:We found that JAK2V617F-mutated cells are hypersensitive to the SMAC mimetic LCL-161 in the absence of exogenous TNFα. JAK2 kinase activity and NFĸB activation is required for JAK2V617F-mediated sensitivity to LCL-161, as JAK or NFĸB inhibitors diminished the differential sensitivity of JAK2V617F mutant cells to IAP inhibition. Finally, LCL-161 reduces splenomegaly and may reduce fibrosis in a mouse model of JAK2V617F-driven MPN. Conclusion:LCL-161 may be therapeutically useful in MPN, in particular when exogenous TNFα signaling is blocked. NFĸB activation is a characteristic feature of JAK2V617F mutant cells and this sensitizes them to SMAC mimetic induced killing even in the absence of TNFα. However, when exogenous TNFα is added, NFĸB is activated in both mutant and wild-type cells, abolishing the differential sensitivity. Moreover, JAK kinase activity is required for the differential sensitivity of JAK2V617F mutant cells, suggesting that the addition of JAK2 inhibitors to SMAC mimetics would detract from the ability of SMAC mimetics to selectively target JAK2V617F mutant cells. Instead, combination therapy with other agents that reduce inflammatory cytokines but preserve JAK2 signaling in mutant cells may be a more beneficial combination therapy in MPN

Advanced radiator concepts utilizing honeycomb panel heat pipes (stainless steel)

The feasibility of fabricating and processing moderate temperature range heat pipes in a low mass honeycomb sandwich panel configuration for highly efficient radiator fins for the NASA space station was investigated. A variety of honeycomb panel facesheet and core-ribbon wick concepts were evaluated within constraints dictated by existing manufacturing technology and equipment. Concepts evaluated include: type of material, material and panel thicknesses, wick type and manufacturability, liquid and vapor communication among honeycomb cells, and liquid flow return from condenser to evaporator facesheet areas. In addition, the overall performance of the honeycomb panel heat pipe was evaluated analytically

Development of diaphragm connector elements for three-dimensional nonlinear dynamic analysis of precast concrete structures

Diaphragm connector elements were developed for three-dimensional finite element models of precast concrete structures used in nonlinear time history analyses. The use of discrete elements for the diaphragm connectors permits the direct evaluation of local force and deformation demands, information needed in calibrating design factors for a new diaphragm seismic design methodology. This article describes the element formulation. The connector elements consist of assemblages of standard elements readily available in most finite element software libraries. The connector element calibration is based on full-scale testing of common precast diaphragm connectors. In these tests, the connector exhibited hysteretic pinching, stiffness/strength degradation, and slip mechanisms. The diaphragm connector elements were constructed to capture these behaviors to an accuracy sufficient for establishing viable design factors, while still appropriate for insertion into large degree-of-freedom models. The models are validated against the results of simulation-driven tests for critical precast diaphragm joints and a half-scale shake table test

Advanced radiator concepts utilizing honeycomb panel heat pipes

The feasibility of fabricating and processing moderate temperature range vapor chamber type heat pipes in a low mass honeycomb panel configuration for highly efficient radiator fins for potential use on the space station was investigated. A variety of honeycomb panel facesheet and core-ribbon wick concepts were evaluated within constraints dictated by existing manufacturing technology and equipment. Concepts evaluated include type of material, material and panel thickness, wick type and manufacturability, liquid and vapor communication among honeycomb cells, and liquid flow return from condenser to evaporator facesheet areas. A thin-wall all-welded stainless steel design with methanol as the working fluid was the initial prototype unit. It was found that an aluminum panel could not be fabricated in the same manner as a stainless steel panel due to diffusion bonding and resistance welding considerations. Therefore, a formed and welded design was developed. The prototype consists of ten panels welded together into a large panel 122 by 24 by 0.15 in., with a heat rejection capability of 1000 watts and a fin efficiency of essentially 1.0

Heat Pipe Materials Compatibility

An experimental program to evaluate noncondensable gas generation in ammonia heat pipes was completed. A total of 37 heat pipes made of aluminum, stainless steel and combinations of these materials were processed by various techniques, operated at different temperatures and tested at low temperature to quantitatively determine gas generation rates. In order of increasing stability are aluminum/stainless combination, all aluminum and all stainless heat pipes. One interesting result is the identification of intentionally introduced water in the ammonia during a reflux step as a means of surface passivation to reduce gas generation in stainless-steel/aluminum heat pipes