Thermal Analysis of the Divertor Primary Heat Transfer System Piping During the Gas Baking Process

A preliminary analysis has been performed examining the temperature distribution in the Divertor Primary Heat Transfer System (PHTS) piping and the divertor itself during the gas baking process. During gas baking, it is required that the divertor reach a temperature of 350 C. Thermal losses in the piping and from the divertor itself require that the gas supply temperature be maintained above that temperature in order to ensure that all of the divertor components reach the required temperature. The analysis described in this report was conducted in order to estimate the required supply temperature from the gas heater

Complete Genome Sequencing of Lactobacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 Isolated from a Patagonian Pinot Noir Wine

Lactobacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 strain was isolated from a Patagonian Pinot noir wine at the oldest commercial winery (110 years old) in General Roca, North Patagonia, Argentina, and has demonstrated its ability to survive during winemaking processes and successfully carry out malolactic fermentation. This work aimed to obtain the whole assembled genome of the UNQLp 11 strain, analysing its architecture and the possible functions of the predicted genes from the oenological properties of this strain. The genome size is 3 534 932 bp, with a mean GC content of 44.2%, 3 412 CDS, 80 transposons and 148 tandem repeats. A comparison between the genome size and gene content of 14 Lb. plantarum strains from different origins was performed, and UNQLp 11 exhibited the largest size. The in silico genome-wide analysis allowed us to confirm the existence of genes encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of several metabolites ofoenological interest, in addition to bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides. Furthermore, it is possible to speculate on this strain’s adaptation to different environments, as it is able to use diverse substrates forits growth. All these features suggest the potential of UNQLp 11 to be a good starter culture for malolactic fermentation

Potential applications of artificial intelligence in computer-based management systems for mixed waste incinerator facility operation

The Department of Energy/Oak Ridge Field Office (DOE/OR) operates a mixed waste incinerator facility at the Oak Ridge K-25 Site, designed for the thermal treatment of incinerable liquid, sludge, and solid waste regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Resource Conversion and Recovery Act (RCRA). Operation of the TSCA Incinerator is highly constrained as a result of the regulatory, institutional, technical, and resource availability requirements. This presents an opportunity for applying computer technology as a technical resource for mixed waste incinerator operation to facilitate promoting and sustaining a continuous performance improvement process while demonstrating compliance. This paper describes mixed waste incinerator facility performance-oriented tasks that could be assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the requirements for AI tools that would implement these algorithms in a computer-based system. 4 figs., 1 tab

Aspergilosis pulmonar en chile enfoque inmunológico

Las micosis pulmonares por hongos oportunistas presentan frecuentemente cuadros clínicos y signos radiológicos de diagnóstico diferencial difícil con otras patologías broncopulmonares crónicas.En este estudio corroboramos la existencia de la Aspergilosis pulmonar en Chile, efectuando sistemáticamente las pruebas de inmunoprecipitación en agarosa y estudio micológico en pacientes con sospecha clínica de aspergilosis.De 850 pacientes estudiados se diagnosticó la Aspergilosis broncopulmonar, clínica e inmunológicamente, en 132 de ellos (15,5%).El 82% de los casos parasitados correspondió a pacientes con secuelas tuberculosas inactivas previas, y el 14% a formas hipersensitivas, observándose una clara correlación entre las formas clínicas de Aspergilosis y el estudio radiológico, inmunológico y micológico.El agente causante más común correspondió a Aspergillus fumigatus, y en orden decreciente A. flavus. A. niger, A nidulans y A. terreus.Este trabajo pone en evidencia la importancia del diagnóstico inmunológico y su excelente especificidad en relación al cultivo micológico de expectoración en pacientes con patología pulmonar predisponente, y su utilidad en el seguimiento y pronóstico de estas micosis

(R)-albuterol decreases immune responses: role of activated T cells

Racemic albuterol is an equimolar mixture of two isomers, (R) and (S). Whether (R) and (S) isomers and the combination of both exert different effects in immune activation is not well defined. We analyzed the effects of (R+S)-albuterol, (R)-albuterol and (S)-albuterol in a murine model of allergic pulmonary inflammation and in activated T cells. Mice (C57BL/6) sensitized and aerosol challenged with the allergen ovalbumin (OVA) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were treated with (R)-albuterol, (S)-albuterol or (R+S)-albuterol. Following administration of (R)-albuterol, allergen induced bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophils and IgE showed a decrease, albeit not significantly by ANOVA. As T cells are important in allergic inflammation, we asked whether (R+S), (R) or (S)-albuterol might differ in effects on T cells and on the activity of the inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. In activated T cells, (R)-albuterol administration decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB activity. These studies suggest that (R)-albuterol decreases cytokine secretion and NF-κB activity in T cells

Creative innovation in Spanish construction firms

"This material may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the American Society of Civil Engineers"Small and medium-sized contractors are characterized by organizational structures that are highly focused on control. As a result, employees concentrate on day-to-day activities with little time or motivation to generate creative ideas. Generally, the technological improvements of these companies arise as a result of problem-solving at the construction site. Nevertheless, the actual status quo is changing. In fact, some Spanish public agencies are already considering innovation as an added value in public procurement; thus, large contractors are starting to systemize their innovative efforts. This means that small and medium-sized enterprises must modify their attitudes towards innovation in order to sustain their competitiveness. The implementation of a system that enhances innovation and acquisition of knowledge may be the solution to overcome this disadvantage. The authors analyzed the implementation of an innovation management system in a Spanish construction firm of medium size for nine years. The system builds on a set of processes aimed to generate innovation projects that allow the contractor to document the innovation, not only for internal purposes related to knowledge management, but also for external ones associated with obtaining better results in public tenders. These processes are: (a) technology watch; (b) creativity; (c) planning and executing innovation projects; (d) technology transfer; and (e) protection of results. The last step is the feedback of the entire process through the assessment of the final outcomes. The implementation of the innovation system is ensured within the organization, through training of personnel, participation of stakeholders and encouragement of the innovation culture.The research reported in this paper was partially funded by the Universidad Catolica del Maule (UCM) [Project Mejoramiento de la Calidad y Equidad de la Educacion Superior (MECESUP)-UCM0205], the Spanish Ministry of Infrastructure (Project 2004-36), and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) (Contract UPV-2008-0629). Francisco Vea, Ricardo Lacort, and Manuel Civera are thanked for their help and support throughout the implementation of the system. Dr. Debra Westall is thanked for revising the text.Yepes, V.; Pellicer Armiñana, E.; Fernando Alarcón, L.; Correa Becerra, CL. (2015). Creative innovation in Spanish construction firms. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice. 141:04015006-1-04015006-10. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000251S04015006-104015006-1014

Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol occurs through heteromers between cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound of marijuana, induces numerous undesirable effects, including memory impairments, anxiety, and dependence. Conversely, THC also has potentially therapeutic effects, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, and neuroprotection. However, the mechanisms that dissociate these responses are still not known. Using mice lacking the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, we revealed that the analgesic and amnesic effects of THC are independent of each other: while amnesia induced by THC disappears in the mutant mice, THC can still promote analgesia in these animals. In subsequent molecular studies, we showed that in specific brain regions involved in memory formation, the receptors for THC and the 5-HT2A receptors work together by physically interacting with each other. Experimentally interfering with this interaction prevented the memory deficits induced by THC, but not its analgesic properties. Our results highlight a novel mechanism by which the beneficial analgesic properties of THC can be dissociated from its cognitive side effects

Bringing Molecules Back into Molecular Evolution

Much molecular-evolution research is concerned with sequence analysis. Yet these sequences represent real, three-dimensional molecules with complex structure and function. Here I highlight a growing trend in the field to incorporate molecular structure and function into computational molecular-evolution work. I consider three focus areas: reconstruction and analysis of past evolutionary events, such as phylogenetic inference or methods to infer selection pressures; development of toy models and simulations to identify fundamental principles of molecular evolution; and atom-level, highly realistic computational modeling of molecular structure and function aimed at making predictions about possible future evolutionary events