Chemical Equilibration in Hadronic Collisions

We study chemical equilibration in out-of-equilibrium Quark-Gluon Plasma using the first principles method of QCD effective kinetic theory, accurate at weak coupling. In longitudinally expanding systems--relevant for relativistic nuclear collisions--we find that for realistic couplings chemical equilibration takes place after hydrodynamization, but well before local thermalization. We estimate that hadronic collisions with final state multiplicities ${dN_\text{ch}}/{d\eta}\gtrsim 10^2$ live long enough to reach approximate chemical equilibrium, which is consistent with the saturation of strangeness enhancement observed in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, see also our companion paper arXiv:1811.03068, v2 small changes, published versio

Fish Community Analysis Using Multidirectional ROV Video Surveys in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

In this study, ROV surveys with multidirectional video were used to analyze the fish communities associated with artificial reef patches in the Rio Grande Valley artificial reef 13.7 km off the coast of South Padre Island, TX. Nine configurations of reef patches consisting of varying combinations and densities of concrete pyramid and low-profile modules were surveyed. The highest species diversity was found at patches with large deployments of both pyramids and low-profile modules. Total Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus abundance did not differ between configurations, but the highest abundances of juvenile Red Snapper were found at configurations with one pyramid and one low-profile module and at the largest low-profile only sites. Negative correlations between juvenile Red Snapper and both Grey Triggerfish Balistes capriscus and adult Red Snapper were identified. The results of this study indicate that artificial reefs with separate habitat areas composed of 1) large deployments of mid-profile structures for older juvenile and adult Red Snapper and Grey Triggerfish and 2) isolated patches of low-profile habitat or a single mid-profile structure with associated low-profile habitat for small juvenile Red Snapper will be the most effective for fisheries enhancement and supporting diverse fish assemblages

A plant-made cholera toxin B subunit enhances mucosal wound healing and protects against ulcerative colitis and colon cancer.

This dissertation describes the previously unidentified effects of a plant-produced recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (CTBp) on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and its ability to protect against inflammation in a mouse model of colonic injury and ulcerative colitis (UC). To comprehensively analyze CTBp’s impacts on the GI tract, we employed global analysis methodologies based on multi-color flow cytometry to analyze immune cell populations in GI and systemic lymphatic compartments, gene expression microarray to decipher transcript-level changes in the colon and small intestine, and 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize fecal microbiota. Based on a drastic shift observed in the immune cell profile and gene expression pattern in the distal colon, we built a new working hypothesis that CTBp may enhance mucosal protection in the colon. To address this hypothesis, we used the Caco-2 human colonic cell line and the mouse dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis model. After demonstrating the potential of CTBp as a mucosal healing and anti-colitic agent, the dissertation will be summarized and future directions discussed

Mold In Buildings: Issues and Outcomes

Executive Summary This article will provide an introduction to mold species most commonly found in buildings, and will present potential health and safety effects of such species. Prevention and reasons behind growth of mold in facilities will be discussed, giving examples of both construction and operation prevention techniques. Finally, remediation guidelines and highlights will be presented. These topics will provide a basic understanding of current mold issues, allowing one to fully engage in discussion of the subsequent sections, where current legal issues involved with mold will be presented along with cases dealing with physical, legal, and financial implications of mold in buildings