NONPARAMETRIC TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY WITH K FIRMS, N INPUTS, AND M OUTPUTS: A SIMULATION

Monte-Carlo simulation of nonparametric efficiency shows that even when the number of firms is large, defining ten or more inputs results in most firms being measured as efficient. Comparison of the simulated results with any empirical results may suggest that the dimension of the problem, rather than actual efficiencies, determines computed efficiencies.Agribusiness,

Towards a consistent mechanism of emulsion polymerization—new experimental details

The application of atypical experimental methods such as conductivity measurements, optical microscopy, and nonstirred polymerizations to investigations of the ‘classical’ batch ab initio emulsion polymerization of styrene revealed astonishing facts. The most important result is the discovery of spontaneous emulsification leading to monomer droplets even in the quiescent styrene in water system. These monomer droplets with a size between a few and some hundreds of nanometers, which are formed by spontaneous emulsification as soon as styrene and water are brought into contact, have a strong influence on the particle nucleation, the particle morphology, and the swelling of the particles. Experimental results confirm that micelles of low-molecular-weight surfactants are not a major locus of particle nucleation. Brownian dynamics simulations show that the capture of matter by the particles strongly depends on the polymer volume fraction and the size of the captured species (primary free radicals, oligomers, single monomer molecules, or clusters)

Process for the modification of polymers, in particular polymer nanoparticles

The present invention relates to a highly efficient and ultra fast process for the photo-initiated preparation of polymers by polymerization using photoinitiators comprising a phosphorous oxide or -sulfide group and modification of said polymers. In particular the invention relates to an ultra fast process for the photo-initiated preparation of latices comprising polymer nanoparticles by heterophase polymerization using photoinitiators comprising a phosphorous oxide or -sulfide group and their modification. In another aspect, the invention relates to polymers and polymer nanoparticles obtainable by said process

Economic Effects of a Potential Foodborne Disease: Potential Relationship between Mycobacterium Avium Subs. Paratuberculosis (MAP) in Dairy and Crohn’s in Humans

Welfare costs of a potential food shock were estimated by disseminating information to milk drinkers on the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium sub. paratuberculosis (MAP) in the U.S. milk supply, its potential linkage to Crohn’s disease in humans, and subsequent government intervention to minimize MAP in the milk supply. We found that 19.6% of milk consumers exposed to MAP information would stop milk consumption at current market prices, and that only 5% of those would return to their original milk consumption levels after the government intervention. Societal costs of the food shock after the intervention were estimated at $18.2 billion

Polyamide capsules via soft templating with oil drops—1. Morphological studies of the capsule wall

Poly(terephthalamide) microcapsules can be reproducibly and easily prepared by interfacial polycondensation around emulsion droplets in water. Oil drops of cyclohexane/chloroform mixture stabilized with poly(vinyl alcohol) containing terephthaloylchloride serve as soft template. The interfacial polycondensation starts immediately after addition of an amine mixture (hexamethylenediamine/diethylenetriamine). Light and scanning electron microscopy prove the formation of capsules with size distribution in the range from a few up to 100 µm depending on particular composition of the reaction mixture. The morphology of the capsule wall is characterized by precipitated particles. If instead of pure organic solvents a reactive oil phase is used as template, the capsules can serve in subsequent reactions as templates for the synthesis of composite particles. In this way, styrene can be radically polymerized inside the capsule leading to composite capsules. The capsule morphology is determined by the partition of all components between all phases

Introgression between Pinus taeda L. and Pinus echinata Mill

Papers and abstracts from the 27th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma on June 24-27, 2003

Genetic Analysis of a Disease Resistance Gene from Loblolly Pine

Rapid advances in molecular genetics provide great opportunities for studies of host defense mechanisms. Examination of plant responses to disease at the cellular and molecular level permits both discovery of changes in gene expression in the tissues attacked by pathogens, and identification of genetic components involved in the interaction between host and pathogens. Expression of specific proteins, which is one type of defense mechanism, may offer the host a weapon to protect it from invasion of pathogenic attack. Recently, we have isolated a novel antimicrobial protein gene (PtAMP) from loblolly pine during our gene screening effort. Studies of molecular characterization show that the PtAMP gene shares limited similarity with previously reported antimicrobial proteins in the amino acid sequences, but it contains some common features, e.g. DNA sequences and protein structure, with those antimicrobial proteins. The function of this novel antimicrobial gene has been analyzed at the in vitro and in vivo levels. Antimicrobial assay data showed that the purified PtAMP protein has strong inhibitory activities against a variety of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, the gene for the PtAMP was transferred into the tobacco genome via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Ectopic expression of the PtAMP protein in transgenic tobacco plants confers resistance to bacterial and fungal phytopathogens. Our data suggest that the PtAMP gene has the potential through genetic manipulation to protect plants from a wide range of plant pathogens. Analysis of its function provides further understanding of plant defense mechanisms in loblolly pine.Papers and abstracts from the 27th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma on June 24-27, 2003

Differential effects of Akkermansia-enriched fecal microbiota transplant on energy balance in female mice on high-fat diet

Estrogens protect against weight gain and metabolic disruption in women and female rodents. Aberrations in the gut microbiota composition are linked to obesity and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, estrogen-mediated protection against diet-induced metabolic disruption is associated with modifications in gut microbiota. In this study, we tested if estradiol (E2)-mediated protection against obesity and metabolic disorders in female mice is dependent on gut microbiota. Specifically, we tested if fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from E2-treated lean female mice, supplemented with or without Akkermansia muciniphila, prevented high fat diet (HFD)-induced body weight gain, fat mass gain, and hyperglycemia in female recipients. FMT from, and cohousing with, E2-treated lean donors was not sufficient to transfer the metabolic benefits to the E2-deficient female recipients. Moreover, FMT from lean donors supplemented with A. muciniphila exacerbated HFD-induced hyperglycemia in E2-deficient recipients, suggesting its detrimental effect on the metabolic health of E2-deficient female rodents fed a HFD. Given that A. muciniphila attenuates HFD-induced metabolic insults in males, the present findings suggest a sex difference in the impact of this microbe on metabolic health.Peer reviewe