Operator's, organizational, direct support and general support maintenance manual : air conditioner, vertical, compact, 9,000 BTU/hr, 115 volt, 1-phase, 50/60 hertz (NSN-4120-01-193-4999).

Includes index.

Stochastic chemical kinetics and the quasi-steady-state assumption : application to the stochastic simulation algorithm and chemical master equation

Recently the application of the quasi-steady-state approximation (QSSA) to the stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA) was suggested for the purpose of speeding up stochastic simulations of chemical systems that involve both relatively fast and slow chemical reactions [Rao and Arkin, J. Chem. Phys. 118, 4999 (2003)] and further work has led to the nested and slow-scale SSA. Improved numerical efficiency is obtained by respecting the vastly different time scales characterizing the system and then by advancing only the slow reactions exactly, based on a suitable approximation to the fast reactions. We considerably extend these works by applying the QSSA to numerical methods for the direct solution of the chemical master equation (CME) and, in particular, to the finite state projection algorithm [Munsky and Khammash, J. Chem. Phys. 124, 044104 (2006)], in conjunction with Krylov methods. In addition, we point out some important connections to the literature on the (deterministic) total QSSA (tQSSA) and place the stochastic analogue of the QSSA within the more general framework of aggregation of Markov processes. We demonstrate the new methods on four examples: Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetics, double phosphorylation, the Goldbeter–Koshland switch, and the mitogen activated protein kinase cascade. Overall, we report dramatic improvements by applying the tQSSA to the CME solver.

From words to integers and beyond in corporate life

Poets have a licence to couch great truths in succinct, emotionally powerful, and perhaps slightly mysterious and ambiguous ways. On the other hand, it is the task of academics to explore such truths intellectually, in depth and detail, identifying the key constructs and their underlying relations and structures, hopefully without impairing the essential truth. So it could be said that in January 2013, around 60 academics gathered at the University of Texas, Austin under the benign and encouraging eye of their own muse, Professor Rod Hart, to play their role in exploring and explaining the underlying truth of Yan Zhen’s words. The goals of this chapter are quite broad. Rod was explicit and yet also somewhat Delphic in his expectations and aspirations for the chapter. Even though DICTION was a key analytic tool in most chapters, this chapter was not to be about DICTION per se, or simply a critique of the individual chapters forming this section of the book. Rather DICTION and these studies, as well as some others that got our attention, were to be more a launching pad for observations on what they revealed about the current state of understanding and research into the language of institutions, as well as some ‘adventurous’, but not too outlandish reflections on future challenges and opportunities.

Genetic Basis of Pituitary Adenoma Predisposition

Much of the global cancer research is focused on the most prevalent tumors; yet, less common tumor types warrant investigation, since A rare disorder is not necessarily an unimportant one . The present work discusses a rare tumor type, the benign adenomas of the pituitary gland, and presents the advances which, during the course of this thesis work, contributed to the elucidation of a fraction of their genetic background. Pituitary adenomas are benign neoplasms of the anterior pituitary lobe, accounting for approximately 15% of all intracranial tumors. Pituitary adenoma cells hypersecrete the hormones normally produced by the anterior pituitary tissue, such as growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL). Despite their non-metastasizing nature, these adenomas can cause significant morbidity and have to be adequately treated; otherwise, they can compromise the patient s quality of life, due to conditions provoked by hormonal hypersecretion, such as acromegaly in the case of GH-secreting adenomas, or due to compressive effects to surrounding tissues. The vast majority of pituitary adenomas arise sporadically, whereas a small subset occur as component of familial endocrine-related tumor syndromes, such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and Carney complex (CNC). MEN1 is caused by germline mutations in the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene (11q13), whereas the majority of CNC cases carry germline mutations in the PRKAR1A gene (17q24). Pituitary adenomas are also encountered in familial settings outside the context of MEN1 and CNC, but unlike in the latter syndromes, their genetic background until recently remained elusive. Evidence in previous literature supported the notion that a tumor suppressor gene on 11q13, residing very close to but still distinct from MEN1, causes genetic susceptibility to pituitary tumors. The aim of the study was to identify the genetic cause of a low penetrance form of Pituitary Adenoma Predisposition (PAP) in families from Northern Finland. The present work describes the methodological approach that led to the identification of aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) as the gene causing PAP. Combining chip-based technologies (SNP and gene expression arrays) with traditional gene mapping methods and genealogy data, we showed that germline AIP mutations cause PAP in familial and sporadic settings. PAP patients were diagnosed with mostly adenomas of the GH/PRL-secreting cell lineage. In Finland, two AIP mutations accounted for 16% of all patients diagnosed with GH-secreting adenomas, and for 40% of patients being younger than 35 years of age at diagnosis. AIP is suggested to act as a tumor suppressor gene, a notion supported by the nature of the identified mutations (most are truncating) and the biallelic inactivation of AIP in the tumors studied. AIP has been best characterized as a cytoplasmic interaction partner of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), also known as dioxin receptor, but it has other partners as well. The mechanisms that underlie AIP-mediated pituitary tumorigenesis are to date largely unknown and warrant further investigation. Because AIP was identified in the genetically homogeneous Finnish population, it was relevant to examine its contribution to PAP in other, more heterogeneous, populations. Analysis of pituitary adenoma patient series of various ethnic origins and differing clinical settings revealed germline AIP mutations in all cohorts studied, albeit with low frequencies (range 0.8-7.4%). Overall, PAP patients were typically diagnosed at a young age (range 8-41 years), mainly with GH-secreting adenomas, without strong family history of endocrine disease. Because many PAP patients did not display family history of pituitary adenomas, detection of the condition appeared challenging. AIP immunohistochemistry was tested as a molecular pre-screening tool on mutation-positive versus mutation-negative tumors, and proved to be a potentially useful predictor of PAP. Mutation screening of a large cohort of colorectal, breast, and prostate tumors did not reveal somatic AIP mutations. These tumors, apart from being the most prevalent among men and women worldwide, have been associated with acromegaly, particularly colorectal neoplasia. In this material, AIP did not appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of these common tumor types and other genes seem likely to play a role in such tumorigenesis. Finally, the contribution of AIP in pediatric onset pituitary adenomas was examined in a unique population-based cohort of sporadic pituitary adenoma patients from Italy. Germline AIP mutations may account for a subset of pediatric onset GH-secreting adenomas (in this study one of seven GH-secreting adenoma cases or 14.3%), and appear to be enriched among young (≤25 years old) patients. In summary, this work reveals a novel tumor susceptibility gene, namely AIP, which causes genetic predisposition to pituitary adenomas, in particular GH-secreting adenomas. Moreover, it provides molecular tools for identification of individuals predisposed for PAP. Further elaborate studies addressing the functional role of AIP in normal and tumor cells will hopefully expand our knowledge on endocrine neoplasia and reveal novel cellular mechanisms of pituitary tumorigenesis, including potential drug targets.

Small-scale capture, transport and tank adaptation of live, medium-sized Scombrids using "Tuna Tubes"

The transport of live fish is a crucial step to establish fish culture in captivity, and is especially challenging for species that have not been commonly cultured before, therefore transport and handling methods need to be optimized and tailored. This study describes the use of tuna tubes for small-scale transport of medium-sized pelagic fish from the Scombridae family. Tuna tubes are an array of vertical tubes that hold the fish, while fresh seawater is pumped up the tubes and through the fish mouth and gills, providing oxygen and removing wastes. In this study, 19 fish were captured using rod and line and 42% of the captured fish were transported alive in the custom-designed tuna tubes to an on-shore holding tank: five mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis) and three leaping bonito (Cybiosarda elegans). Out of these, just three (15.8% of total fish) acclimatized to the tank's condition. Based on these results, we discuss an improved design of the tuna tubes that has the potential to increase survival rates and enable a simple and low cost method of transporting of live pelagic fish.

Generalized model predictive static programming and its application to 3D impact angle constrained guidance of air-to-surface missiles

A new `generalized model predictive static programming (G-MPSP)' technique is presented in this paper in the continuous time framework for rapidly solving a class of finite-horizon nonlinear optimal control problems with hard terminal constraints. A key feature of the technique is backward propagation of a small-dimensional weight matrix dynamics, using which the control history gets updated. This feature, as well as the fact that it leads to a static optimization problem, are the reasons for its high computational efficiency. It has been shown that under Euler integration, it is equivalent to the existing model predictive static programming technique, which operates on a discrete-time approximation of the problem. Performance of the proposed technique is demonstrated by solving a challenging three-dimensional impact angle constrained missile guidance problem. The problem demands that the missile must meet constraints on both azimuth and elevation angles in addition to achieving near zero miss distance, while minimizing the lateral acceleration demand throughout its flight path. Both stationary and maneuvering ground targets are considered in the simulation studies. Effectiveness of the proposed guidance has been verified by considering first order autopilot lag as well as various target maneuvers.

A note on the heat-transfer to nonspherical particles from plasma

Heat transfer from plasma to a nonspherical partical in the free-molecular regime is studied in the present paper under thin plasma sheath condition. Analytical expressions for the floating potential charge and heat fluxes of an ellipsoid particle of revolution are derived and curves are given for key parameters for arbitrary plasma flow direction. On the basis of these results, an equivalent sphere with the same surface area as the nonspherical particle is suggested to be used for calculating the total heat flux of nonspherical particle in engineering application with acceptable accuracy. Furthermore, the effects of particle rotation, which occurs in most aerosol systems, on the heat transfer are also discussed.

Tm^3＋-Yb^3＋共掺氧氟硅酸盐玻璃热学性能和上转换发光特性研究

稀土掺杂氧氟玻璃是一种优良的上转换发光材料，制备了组分为35SiO2—15AlO1.5-（45-x）PbF2-xCdF2—0．1TmF3—1．5YbF3（x=0，10，20，30）的氧氟硅酸盐玻璃，系统研究了CdF2含量对其热学性能和光学性能的影响。研究表明用CdF2部分替代PbF，可以提高玻璃的热稳定性、使紫外吸收截至边向短波方向移动；随着CdF2含量的增加，开始Tm^3＋蓝光和红光上转换发光增强缓慢，而后迅速增强．而近红外上转换发射先显著增强后增强放缓；由于蓝光和近红外发光强度远大于红光发光强度，所以

A ESCCA e lei. Encontros e despedidas

A prostituição infanto-juvenil tornou-se um fenômeno independente da adulta nos idos de 1990, tanto em nível nacional quanto internacional. Percebida sob os signos da gravidade e da urgência, suscitou denúncias, intervenções e saberes especializados. Na busca por compreender as condições de surgimento desses novos discursos, seus fundamentos e perspectivas hegemônicas acerca da prostituição infanto-juvenil, a presente dissertação percorre quatro etapas. Inicialmente, elabora uma genealogia das três principais fontes brasileiras sobre a exploração sexual na década de mil novecentos e noventa: documentos do CECRIA, a série de reportagens Meninas Escravizadas da Folha de S. Paulo e a CPI da Prostituição Infantil de 1993. Sob inspiração foucaultiana, elabora nova genealogia, agora sobre o sexo, em sua relação com o cristianismo, o direito e as ciências humanas e médicas. Visando a perceber novos olhares sobre a prostituição infanto-juvenil, em seguida ouve prostitutas adultas, uma militante dos direitos das prostitutas e também adolescentes envolvidas com o mercado sexual. A última etapa, de feições ensaísticas, constitui uma tentativa de vislumbrar possibilidades para uma sexualidade mais livre e de apontar trajetórias mais interessantes para a prostituição adulta e infanto-juvenil