Single Crystal Diffraction Distraction

There is a possibility this illustrates electron diffraction through the (1 1 2) diagonal direction in of the tetragonal crystal structure of Bismoclite.  I also think it looks neat

The common good: salmon science, the conservation crisis, and the shaping of Alaskan political culture

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015Without a doubt, the salmon fishery in Alaska has been at the forefront of natural resource debates and has served as an example of ineffective, misunderstood, and controversial policies, as well as many missed opportunities to better understand the resource. Management of Alaska's longest lasting natural resource industry is contingent upon an evolving scientific understanding of salmon. At the same time, policy has been shaped by political, economic, cultural, and social phenomena. Considering these parts of the historical narrative of the Alaska salmon industry demonstrates the fundamental challenges of fisheries management: reconciling biological limitation, economic demands, and cultural practices. This study contextualizes modern salmon management in Alaska by analyzing early- to mid-twentieth century conservation efforts within these constraints. To begin, some fundamental questions arise in the analysis of salmon management: why did managers make the decisions they did? What were limits faced by managers and the science they relied on? Also, how did political, economic, and cultural forces impact these decisions? By addressing these questions in a historical analysis, a fuller understanding of modern salmon management in Alaska is found. Answering these questions shapes this thesis and supports the argument that economic, political, and cultural factors often influenced changing policies as much as technological advances and ecological understanding did. In particular, Alaska's unique transition to statehood in the mid-twentieth century - a period when huge advances in ecology were underway - highlights how science often took a backseat to other concerns.Introduction -- Data and methods -- Outline -- Literature Review -- Chapter 1: Pacific Salmon Life Histories -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Pacific Salmon Life Histories -- 1.3 Juvenile Stage and Smoltification -- 1.4 Marine Feeding and Migration -- 1.5 Homeward Migration -- 1.6 Adult Upriver Migration -- 1.7 Spawning -- 1.8 Predation and Other Environmental Factors -- 1.9 Conclusion -- Chapter 2: Federal Management, 1884-1959 -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Federal Fishery Science and Management -- 2.3 Hatcheries -- 2.4 Predator Fish Eradication -- 2.5 Escapement-Based Management -- 2.6 E.S. Russell, Quantitative Modeling, and Ecology -- 2.7 Conclusion -- Chapter 3: Transition to Statehood and State Management -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 The 1940s: Increased Analytical Sophistication in Salmon Management -- 3.3 The 1950s Salmon Population Collapse -- 3.4 Fish Traps and Alaskan Political Culture -- 3.5 Statehood -- 3.6 Open Access and "Tragedy of the Commons" -- 3.7 Quotas and the Elimination of the Commons -- 3.8 Conclusion -- Chapter 4: Possible Solutions for a Sustainable Industry -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Fishery Management in an Oil Economy -- 4.3 Alaska Salmon Disaster -- 4.4 A New Management Regime -- 4.5 Limitations to Quotas and Fish Traps -- 4.6 Conclusion -- Works Cited

Interview with Reverend Dr. B. Herbert Martin Sr.

Length: 84 minutes Interview with Reverend B. Herbert Martin Senior by Matthew Kevin Robinso

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationPlatinum-based chemotherapy is the standard-of-care for non-small cell lung cancer. As with other chemotherapies, not all patients respond positively to treatment and almost all patients will develop chemotherapy-resistant disease. Using the KrasG12D-driven mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma, our lab identified upregulation of p53-induced with a death domain isoform 1 (Pidd1) in resistant tumors in response to long-term cisplatin chemotherapy treatment. Remarkably, PIDD1 expression in vitro induces p53-dependent resistance to cisplatin as well as other DNA, damaging chemotherapeutics. PIDD1 expression leads to assembly of large molecular weight complexes named PIDDosomes. The Caspase-2-PIDDosome is critical for PIDD1-induced chemotherapy resistance. Our lab demonstrated that the Caspase-2-PIDDosome dynamically regulates p53 activity via proteolytic modification of MDM2, the master negative regulator of p53. In unstressed cells, MDM2 binds to and ubiquitinates p53, targeting it for proteasomal degradation. Upon stress, Pidd1 is upregulated, ultimately leading to formation of the Caspase-2-PIDDosome, and subsequent Caspase-2 activation. Activated Caspase-2 cleaves MDM2 into two fragments: p60 and p30. p60 maintains the ability to bind p53, but cannot ubiquitinate p53, resulting in increased p53 protein stability. The role of the Caspase-2-PIDDosome in regulating the p53-MDM2 feedback loop is not well characterized in tumorigenesis or chemotherapy response. In this study, I utilize the KrasG12D-driven mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma to investigate tumorigenesis and chemotherapy response in Caspase-2-deficient and Pidd1-deficient mice. These data demonstrate that Caspase-2 is a tumor suppressor in lung adenocarcinoma primarily by inhibiting cell proliferation. Caspase-2-deficient tumors respond to chemotherapy; however, rapid tumor cell proliferation following treatment reduces the long-term therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy. Unexpectedly, Pidd1-deficiency does not impact lung tumorigenesis or chemotherapy response. Mechanistic investigation in vitro revealed that ATM phosphorylation of PIDD1 is critical for Caspase-2-PIDDosome assembly, Caspase-2-mediated MDM2 cleavage, cell cycle arrest, and resistance to DNA damaging agents. This pathway is not modulated by exogenous MDM2 or its cleavage product p60. Further, pharmacological inhibition of the p53-MDM2 negative feedback-loop using nutlin-3 does not alter PIDD1-induced growth arrest or cisplatin resistance. Together these findings demonstrate that Caspase-2 and PIDD1 have distinct functions in vivo and elucidate the Caspase-2-PIDDosome signaling network in p53-dependent response to DNA damage

Analysis and Optimization of a Dual Free Piston, Spring Assisted, Linear Engine Generator

The free piston linear engine (FPLE) generator has the potential to displace existing crankshaft driven engine technology because of its relative simplicity, higher efficiency, and increased power density. Continued interest in hybrid-electric vehicles for transportation and tightening emissions regulations has created a challenging market for conventional piston engines. Combined with rising market interest in localized power generation means there are exciting opportunities for innovative technologies that can satisfy both regulatory and commercial demands. Many groups around the world are currently working to advance the state of the FPLE, and recent success at West Virginia University will lead to a working prototype device within the next three years.;This dissertation presents the analysis and optimization of a dual free piston, spring assisted, linear engine generator (SALEG). The primary moving part is a dual piston translator driven by 2-stroke homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion cycles such that the compression stroke for one cylinder corresponds to the expansion stroke of the other. The dynamics of the translator are augmented by the addition of springs that support higher frequency operation, provide energy storage to support cyclic stability, and can be tailored to achieve a desired translator dynamic profile. Current challenges for the device involve optimization for high efficiency performance at steady state and control of the translator position and combustion events.;Using numeric simulation tools in MATLABRTM and Simulink, the dynamic behavior of the translator is modeled in conjunction with the in-cylinder thermodynamics for each engine cylinder and the linear electric alternator load. Sweeps of the primary design parameters explore the design space while demonstrating the interdependency that is characteristic of the FPLE. Then, a genetic algorithm is employed to optimize the SALEG for efficiency based on target power and practical operating constraints. It is demonstrated that low maximum stroke to bore ratio and low intake temperature are favored. Also, the design space becomes more restrictive as target power is raised, but for a range of devices as high as 25 kW, efficiency greater than 40% can be achieved.;Control mechanisms for the simulated SALEG are demonstrated and compared. These entail the control of alternator force, engine fueling, and intake conditions through the use of proportional and integral control methods. The control methods are applied to achieve resonant start-up of the device and to respond to changes in load demand and misfire. Motored, resonant hot-start is simulated for a device with natural frequency of 40 Hz, and the linear motor and controller parameters are tested. Misfire is shown to lead to rapid loss of compression, so the motored resonant control mechanism is employed to recover after misfire. A map-based controller is used to control intake temperature in response to rapid change in load. For a 50% reduction in load, intake temperature is raised by 15% (40 °C) and results in an efficiency drop from 38% to 22% at steady state. Ultimately, the simulation tool represents a platform for future investigations where experimental data and more sophisticated modeling techniques might be included to enhance the research and advancement of the free piston linear engine

Solutions to Dissonance: Solutions to the Gaps in the Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development of Students with Disabilities in the Music Classroom

This thesis seeks to define disability as it is used in the music classroom, summarize gaps in the development of students with disabilities in the music classroom, and determine possible solutions to those issues. The research in this thesis is intended to be used as a resource for music educators of all levels and not to criticize the work of countless other educators to impact the lives of students with disabilities. This paper makes use of some classroom observations as well as a survey of music educators from around the state of Kentucky. This paper should not be considered an all-encompassing list of strategies for students with disabilities; however, the strategies that are defined and described should be used as solutions or strategies to mitigate the issues that the author has found in music classrooms