Historic Preservation Policy and Regime Politics in Atlanta

Stone and others described historic preservation policy in Atlanta as a failure because of the inability of preservation advocates to participate effectively in the governing regime. Yet in 1989, Mayor Andrew Young approved a comprehensive new preservation ordinance that reflected a shift in priorities by the city's business and political leaders to recognize the importance of preserving and reusing older buildings. The enactment of this new preservation‐based redevelopment policy was the result of a process of social learning by Atlanta's regime participants. This research examines the development of the new historic preservation policy, its effects on neighborhoods and commercial areas, and its connections to regime theory. Rather than being a failure, historic preservation policy in Atlanta succeeded in balancing the interests of developers, property owners, and preservation advocates.     

Use of tendency models and their uncertainty in the design of state estimators for batch reactors

Tendency models have been successful in the modeling and optimization of batch reactor processes where a detailed understanding based on fundamental principles and detailed kinetic studies is not available. The evolutionary nature of the Tendency modeling algorithm has proven useful in updating the process model between batches, as new process data or insight become available. But optimization is not the only task that can be undertaken with a Tendency model. In this work, the use of Tendency models in the design of state estimators to estimate reactor concentrations is investigated. The primary goal is to use the knowledge of the uncertainty in the Tendency model (which, by its nature, is an approximate model) to tune an extended Kalman filter. Two examples are presented to illustrate that even though Tendency models can feature a significant amount of uncertainty, they can be used successfully in state estimators.     

Statistical experimental design to optimize formulations for foam vinyl applications

Statistical experimental design has been used to study the effects of blowing agents, processing aids and fillers in rigid vinyl foam formulations. It is shown how this approach provides information about interactions between variables and can be used to help to predict an optimum formulation.     

Rapid Screening of an Acid‐Catalyzed Triglyceride Transesterification in a Mesoscale Reactor

A mesoscale oscillatory baffled reactor (meso‐OBR) served as a continuous screening platform to rapidly investigate the operating conditions for acid‐catalyzed production of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from triglyceride feedstock. The acid catalyst was 4‐dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) and the triglyceride feedstock was rapeseed oil (RSO). The parameter space was explored by means of a design of experiments (DoE) methodology. The variables screened were methanol‐to‐RSO molar ratio, catalyst‐to‐oil molar ratio, and residence time. Over 98 % conversion of RSO to FAME could be achieved under optimized conditions.     

Hydrogen Production via Load‐Matched Coupled Solar‐Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Using Aqueous Methanol

Hydrogen production via a directly coupled solar‐proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis system using aqueous methanol instead of water was investigated. The effect of load matching and methanol concentration on hydrogen production rates, electrolysis efficiency, and solar‐hydrogen efficiency was evaluated. The electrolysis efficiencies were subsequently used in simulation studies to estimate production costs in scaled‐up systems. The results demonstrate that the added hydrogen production associated with the methanol solutions leads to favorable hydrogen production costs at smaller scales.     

Role of Quinone Metabolites in PAH Carcinogenesis

Evidence concerning the role of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase-catalyzed formation of quinone metabolites in the mechanism in PAH carcinogenesis is reviewed and methods for the synthesis of the adducts formed by reaction of PAH quinone metabolites with DNA are reported.     

Nanosuspension delivery of paclitaxel to xenograft mice can alter drug disposition and anti-tumor activity

Paclitaxel is a common chemotherapeutic agent that is effective against various cancers. The poor aqueous solubility of paclitaxel necessitates a large percentage of Cremophor EL:ethanol (USP) in its commercial formulation which leads to hypersensitivity reactions in patients. We evaluate the use of a crystalline nanosuspension versus the USP formulation to deliver paclitaxel to tumor-bearing xenograft mice. Anti-tumor efficacy was assessed following intravenous administration of three 20 mg/kg doses of paclitaxel. Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution were evaluated, and differences were observed between the two formulations. Plasma clearance and tissue to plasma ratio of mice that were dosed with the nanosuspension are approximately 33- and 11-fold higher compared to those of mice that were given the USP formulation. Despite a higher tumor to plasma ratio for the nanosuspension treatment group, absolute paclitaxel tumor exposure was higher for the USP group. Accordingly, a higher anti-tumor effect was observed in the xenograft mice that were dosed with the USP formulation (90% versus 42% tumor growth inhibition). This reduction in activity of nanoparticle formulation appeared to result from a slower than anticipated dissolution in vivo. This study illustrates a need for careful consideration of both dose and systemic solubility prior utilizing nanosuspension as a mode of intravenous delivery.