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Late in 1914, Universal released The Master Key, a motion picture serial in 15 installments. Robert Z. Leonard directed and starred, and the project was marketed as the 'most expensive serial yet'. The weekly film release was paralleled by a syndicated newspaper feuilleton, illustrated by stills from the motion pictures. Stills were also incorporated into an illustrated reissue of Fleming Wilson's story, as well as in promotional materials, like illustrated ads and a 20-page poster stamp album published by the Wentz Printing Company. By way of a cross-media investigation of the (1914) serial The Master Key, this study contributes a case in point of how film stills circulated outside the movie theater. The film material has been reported lost, but some reels have been preserved at the Library of Congress. One of the preserved reels contains the episode set in San Francisco's Chinatown. For this paper, various materials from The Master Key's-cross media release have been acquired through online fan forums and collectible auctions. Following recent historical studies on film serials and the "seriality" of stock characters, Chinatown scenes and the picturesque and efforts to write spatial film history, this paper argues that the proliferation of film images across media formats conceptualized The Master Key's imagery of San Francisco Chinatown as a "serialized" space, standardizing cinematic iconography in the public eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Mineral excretion is an issue in the poultry industry. The use of micro minerals in nano form can increase bioavailability and decrease excretion rate. However, information concerning the bioavailability of nano manganese (Mn) in broiler chicks is limited. 2. This experiment studied the influences of hot-melt extrusion (HME)–processed manganese sulphate on body weight gain, Mn bioavailability, nutrient digestibility and meat quality in broiler chicks fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet as a starter and grower phase. A total of 700 birds (Ross 308, 1-day-old) were randomly placed in 35 cages (20 birds per cage). The broiler chicks were fed one of seven experimental diets, which consisted of a control (without supplemental Mn), different levels of MnSO4 (IN-Mn60; 60, 120, and 200 mg/kg), or HME MnSO4 (HME-Mn; 60, 120, and 200 mg/kg). 3. There was an increased serum Mn content in broilers fed diet supplemented with HME-Mn. In the grower phase, increased dietary Mn levels elevated the concentrations in the serum, liver, and tibia. There were increases in the excreta Mn content of broilers fed increasing levels. The supplementation of HME-Mn showed a lower percentage of abdominal fat compared with the IN-Mn treatment diets. Supplementation with HME-Mn decreased intramuscular fat compared with the diets supplemented with IN-Mn. The supplementation of HME-Mn decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) at d 6 of age. The HME-Mn source showed a greater decrease in TBARS compared with the IN-Mn treatment. 4. In conclusion, HME processing increased bioavailability and could be used as an environmentally friendly method to facilitate lower levels of Mn in the diet of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new CNC tool path planning method is developed for accurate and efficient finishing cutting of sculptured surfaces. The proposed method generates CNC tool paths based on an offset surface of an object instead of the actual surface. The new algorithm consists of two main computational techniques: offset surface generation technique and offset CNC tool path planning technique. In offset surface generation approximate parametric offset surfaces are generated accurately from an original parametric surface by employing bi-cubic surface patch, surface conversion, and surface subdivision algorithms. In offset CNC tool path planning, the precise geometric models of chordal deviation and cusp height on an offset surface are established. The effectiveness of this proposed CNC tool path planning method is verified by geometric simulation and verification which detect and identify errors in CNC tool paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The rising issue of opioid use during pregnancy poses an increased risk of fetal exposure to opioids in-utero and the development of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The cessation of exposure to opioids upon birth causes elevated levels of norepinephrine in the circulation enhancing sympathetic arousal. Skin conductance (SC) detects sympathetic-mediated sweating while the Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) depicts facial expressions of stress and pain. We hypothesize that there will be a direct correlation between SC and NFCS scores, such that neonates with prenatal opioid exposure will have higher SC and facial responses to pain/stress as compared with healthy neonates without prenatal opioid exposure. Objective: This study evaluates the utility of SC and the NFCS in the objective assessment of early postnatal pain response in opioid-exposed and non-opioid exposed neonates. Methods: This prospective, single-center, pilot study enrolled opioid-exposed term neonates (>37 weeks) and healthy controls. Subjects were observed within 24–48 hours post-birth (and prior to opioid withdrawal) for pain at baseline, during, and post-heel lance/squeeze (HLS) with simultaneously measured SC and videotaped facial expressions. SC data included electro-dermal responses over time (EDR/second) and the average amplitude of responses (mean of peaks [MP]). Video data were scored using the NFCS by two trained coders with inter-rater agreement >85%. Results: SC and NFCS scores were significantly associated with both groups. The opioid-exposed neonates had significantly higher skin conductance indices, EDR/sec for the HLS phase, and MP for HLS and post phases as compared with controls (p <.05). Opioid-exposed neonates demonstrated higher NFCS at baseline (p =.003). Conclusions: Prenatal opioid exposure was associated with heightened sympathetic arousal during both pain and recovery phases and higher facial expressions of pain/distress at baseline only. A multimodal system of assessment may be useful in understanding the complexity and severity of opioid withdrawal associated with NAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships between parents' cultural values and their children's creativity were examined. A total of 333 Korean students (163 boys and 170 girls) with their parents (101 fathers and 232 mothers) participated in this study. Parents' cultural values were measured by the EWPS-B, and children's creativity was measured by the TTCT and the RIBS. The results showed that parents' overemphasis on Asian cultural values, especially social conformity and unquestioned authority, negatively related to their children's creativity. The results also showed that fathers' overemphasis on cultural values predicted children's creativity differently from, and more negatively than, mothers' overemphasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Epidemiological studies on inflammatory myopathies (IMs) show widely variable results, and studies on Asians are lacking. Despite emerging interest in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk associated with IMs, the prevalence of CVD in IM patients and its impact on mortality remain unclear. We conducted a nationwide, population-based study on the incidence, mortality, and associated major CVD events of IMs in the Republic of Korea over 11 years.Method: Using the nationwide, population-based National Health Insurance claims database and the Rare Intractable Disease registration programme, we estimated incidence, mortality, and CVD occurrence. Survival was examined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Mortality rate in IMs with CVD was analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression.Results: There were 3014 incident cases, 640 of whom died during the study period. The mean annual incidence was 7.16/106. Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) had 5 year survival rates of 76.8% and 79.3%, respectively. Cardiovascular events occurred in 155 patients and 40.6% of IM patients with CVD died. Acute myocardial infarction in men had the highest risk of any CVD event in both DM [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 4.2, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.4-7.2] and PM (SIR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-7.0). Haemorrhagic stroke had the highest hazard ratio (HR) in both DM (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.13-4.70) and PM patients (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.03-4.27) compared with the general population with CVD.Conclusion: We found persistently low incidence, poor survival, and high major CVD incidence in IMs, and increased mortality in IMs with CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast fashion retailers provide consumers with low quality, inexpensive, and trendy clothing. Fast fashion items are attractive to young consumers who have limited budgets yet want to be in trend. The combination of increased fashion purchasing with the short lifespan of items can have harmful environmental impacts tied to both production and disposal. Researchers noted a behavioural gap between attitudes toward sustainability and behaviours. Consumers who indicated that socially responsible consumption was important to them, their attitudes did not carry over to influence their actual purchasing behaviours. Our goal was to implement a learning experience that enabled students to recognise their clothing consumption practices and identify how sustainability could be positively impacted by altering their individual consumption behaviours. An experience-based learning activity titled 'the wardrobe diet' was assigned to undergraduates. The wardrobe diet required students to identify and wear a total of six clothing items for 30 days. Evidence that the wardrobe-diet was a successful learning experience came from students reports that indicated they had already begun to alter their consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how a laboratory middle school (LMS) serving students from low-performing elementary schools and students with academic or social-emotional challenges is developing as a trauma-responsive school. The authors explore the literature, school/community context, student cases, and the ways in which classroom and school-wide practices are trauma-informed. Trauma-informed practices focus on individual students as well as whole classroom and school-wide initiatives, potentially benefiting all, not only those students experiencing trauma. At LMS, a community of care system, evaluation committee, tribe and village meetings, the democratic classroom approach, project-based learning, as well as focused enrichment and remediation are all initiatives that have demonstrated some success. Documentation of such successes merits exploration in other middle schools. The LMS team seeks to understand and implement highest leverage practice as students are challenged academically, their socioemotional needs are supported, and resiliency is built not only in the classroom but also in the lives of the young adolescents themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence in the media has been an issue of research and public debate for many years. An examination of current humorous ads reveals widespread portrayal of men as victims of violence or in denigrating situations that are construed as humorous. This portrayal of men is an unanticipated twist on traditional themes of gender and subordination and suggests a change in what it means to be "male" in contemporary consumer society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure the safety of a batch process and the quality of its final product, one needs to quickly identify an assignable cause of a fault. Cho and Kim (2003) recently proposed a diagnosis method for batch processes using Fisher's Discriminant Analysis (FDA), which showed a satisfactory performance on industrial batch processes. However, their method (or any other method based on empirical models) has a major limitation when the fault batches available for building an empirical diagnosis model are insufficient. This is a highly critical issue in practice because sufficient fault batches are likely to be unavailable. In this work, we propose a method to handle the insufficiency of the fault data in diagnosing batch processes. The basic idea is to generate so-called pseudo batches from known fault batches and utilise them as part of the diagnosis model data. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated using a real data set from a PVC batch process. The proposed method is shown to be capable of handling the data insufficiency problem successfully, and yields a reliable diagnosis performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new CNC tool path generation method for a multi-patch sculptured surface in the parametric plane is developed to obtain a minimum number of cutter location points while maintaining the required machining accuracy. In this study, a method to obtain intersecting points is suggested to generate the continuous tool path among different patches. In addition, a method of selecting a reference plane and a simple error analysis method are proposed to determine the step and side-step sizes. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through simulation and experimental study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional job shop scheduling problems generally assume that there is a single feasible routing with which a part can be processed in a shop. In today's flexible production systems, this assumption is rarely true. For most manufactured parts, it is possible to generate multiple ways to sequence the operations required to realize the finished product. Each feasible ordering of the operations generates a process plan. Multiple process plans per job increase production flexibility, while at the same time they increase planning and scheduling difficulty. In this paper, the problem of scheduling multiple jobs with each having multiple process plans in a job shop environment is addressed. The problem is modelled and solved using a mathematical approach. Because of the high computational effort required to solve the model using an exact solution procedure, two algorithms were developed and compared against solutions obtained by an optimum finding technique. The results of the test problems indicate that one of the algorithms, referred to as the preprocessing algorithm, finds the optimal solution in all problem cases tested. The second algorithm, referred to as the iterative algorithm, is also effective in finding good solutions; however, its overall performance is lower than that of the first algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-energy material decomposition (DEMD) is a well-established theoretical x-ray technique that uses low- and high-kilovoltage radiographs to separate soft tissue and bone in radiography and computed tomography (CT). However, it requires double exposures that result in increased patient radiation doses, causes increases in the execution time, and generates errors due to misregistration attributed to the patient motion between two scans. In this study, we investigated a low-dose, single-energy material decomposition (LSEMD) method in radiography using a sparse-view CT scan where the attenuation length in the object was estimated from the CT image. We performed a systematic simulation and an experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of use of the LSEMD method in radiography. Only 60 projections, far fewer than those required by the Nyquist sampling theory, were acquired at an x-ray tube voltage of 80 kVp, and were used to reconstruct a sparse-view CT image with a state-of-the-art dictionary-learning (DL) algorithm. We investigated the image performance of the LSEMD and compared the elicited results with those obtained with the use of DEMD (80 kVp and 120 kVp were used). Our results indicate that the DL algorithm produced high-quality sparse-view CT images. Accordingly, the LSEMD method yielded material decomposition results that were very similar to the results elicited by the conventional DEMD method in radiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The rising issue of opioid use during pregnancy poses an increased risk of fetal exposure to opioids in-utero and the development of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The cessation of exposure to opioids upon birth causes elevated levels of norepinephrine in the circulation enhancing sympathetic arousal. Skin conductance (SC) detects sympathetic-mediated sweating while the Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) depicts facial expressions of stress and pain. We hypothesize that there will be a direct correlation between SC and NFCS scores, such that neonates with prenatal opioid exposure will have higher SC and facial responses to pain/stress as compared with healthy neonates without prenatal opioid exposure.Objective: This study evaluates the utility of SC and the NFCS in the objective assessment of early postnatal pain response in opioid-exposed and non-opioid exposed neonates.Methods: This prospective, single-center, pilot study enrolled opioid-exposed term neonates (>37 weeks) and healthy controls. Subjects were observed within 24-48 hours post-birth (and prior to opioid withdrawal) for pain at baseline, during, and post-heel lance/squeeze (HLS) with simultaneously measured SC and videotaped facial expressions. SC data included electro-dermal responses over time (EDR/second) and the average amplitude of responses (mean of peaks [MP]). Video data were scored using the NFCS by two trained coders with inter-rater agreement >85%.Results: SC and NFCS scores were significantly associated with both groups. The opioid-exposed neonates had significantly higher skin conductance indices, EDR/sec for the HLS phase, and MP for HLS and post phases as compared with controls (p < .05). Opioid-exposed neonates demonstrated higher NFCS at baseline (p = .003).Conclusions: Prenatal opioid exposure was associated with heightened sympathetic arousal during both pain and recovery phases and higher facial expressions of pain/distress at baseline only. A multimodal system of assessment may be useful in understanding the complexity and severity of opioid withdrawal associated with NAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of the task to be performed by the information systems (IS) unit as a contextual factor has received little attention in the IS research literature. In addition, prior empirical work examining IS structure lacks theoretical foundation. In this paper we first clarify the multidimensional nature of an organization's subunit structure. Then, we examine the impact of the structure variables on the perceived effectiveness of a subunit of lS--software development--using "task" as the contextual contingency influencing this relationship. Organizational information processing theory provides the theoretical foundation for this study. Analysis of data from thirty hospital reveals that a contingency relationship exists between task context and structural dimensions of software development subunits in determining their effectiveness. Task complexity and decision-making structure in interaction exhibit a nonmonotonic effect on the software development subunit's effectiveness. While the interaction of subunit work flow interdependence with both decision-making structure and control structure was significant, the direction of effect was unexpected. Implications of these findings for practicing managers, and IS planners and researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to develop a flexible three-dimensional inspection system for sculptured surfaces by employing 'Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), CAD database and vision system technology. New surface identification and rough localization methods are suggested using a concept called 'Z-layers' and a vision guided system. The Z-layers are generated from a CAD database which classifies the three-dimensional models. The three-dimensional models are reconstructed using a vision system that identifies the model and roughly identifies the orientation and location of the object implementing Z-layers. Then inspection planning and fine localization methods are mapped out which are based on the CAD database. The experimental results indicate that the developed inspection system, with the proposed algorithm, can be implemented in modern industry to reduce measurement errors and increase productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to develop an effective inspection planning strategy for sculptured surfaces by using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). The optimum measuring point locations are first determined to obtain more effective inspection results for the given sampling numbers. The suitable measuring point locations are determined based on the mean curvature analysis and a constant called the Region Selection Ratio which is suggested to optimise distribution of the measuring points. As a next step, various methods are tested to determine the optimum probe path to minimize the inspection time and the measuring errors. The experimental results show the sculptured surfaces can be inspected more effectively by choosing a suitable Region Selection Ratio. Also, the inspection time can be reduced significantly by using the proposed probe path generation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to develop a geometric error model for multi-axis machine tools based on a closed-loop configuration. In this study, the geometric error model of each axis is derived by using 4 × 4 homegeneous transformation matrix. The ideal cutter location of the sculptured workpiece surface is calculated using the Bezier bicubic parametric surface representation method and machine geometric errors. The actual cutter locations is calculated by considering runout error of the cutting tool and machine geometric errors. Then, the step-by-step volumetric error analysis method is suggested on the basis of the closed-loop configuration of the multi-axis machine tools. The simulation study shows the simplicity and effectiveness of the proposed strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational approaches have been suggested as an informative tool for risk assessment of nanomaterials. Nano (quantitative) structure-activity relationship, nano-(Q)SAR, models have been developed to predict toxicity of metal oxide (MOx) nanoparticles (NPs); however, the packing structure and cluster of nanoparticle have been included for the descriptor calculation in only two studies. This study proposed spherical cluster and hydroxyl metal coordination complex to calculate descriptors for development of nanoparticle cytotoxicity classification model. The model cluster was generated from metal (M) or MOx crystal structure to calculate physicochemical properties of M/MOx NPs and the hydroxyl metal coordination complex was used to calculate the properties of the metal cation in an aqueous environment. Data were collected for 2 M and 19 MOx NPs in human bronchial epithelial cell lines and murine myeloid cell lines at 100 μg/ml after 24 hours exposure. The model was developed with scaled HOMO energy of the model cluster and polarizability of the hydroxyl metal coordination complex, as reactivity of the particles and the cations explained cause of cytotoxic action by M/MOx NPs. As the developed model achieved 90.31% accuracy, the classification model in this work can be used for virtual screening of toxic action of M/MOx NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to explore viewpoints on factors that could prevent engagement in risky appearance-management behaviours (AMBs). A convenience sample of 92 undergraduate women completed a questionnaire that contained a measure of AMBs and four open-ended questions. Participants identified individual, social, and cultural factors underlying their non-engagement in risky behaviours. They also compensated for not practicing risky behaviours. Factors internal to an individual (e.g. low self-esteem) and external to an individual (e.g. media exposure) were identified as possible inducements to risky behaviours. Findings provide information useful for incorporation into strategies designed to deter risky AMBs with young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is characterized by an age-dependent decline of auditory function characterized by with loss of sensory hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons, and stria vascularis (SV) cells in the cochlea of the inner ear. Aging and age-related diseases result from accumulated oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by mitochondria. The isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) family includes three enzymes in human cells: IDH1, IDH2, and IDH3. Although all three enzymes catalyze the same enzymatic reaction, that is, oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to produce α-ketoglutarate, each IDH enzyme has unique features. We identified and characterized IDH expression in the cochlea and vestibule of the murine inner ear. We examined the mRNA expression levels of Idh family members in the cochlea and vestibule using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and detected expression of IDH family members in both tissues. We also used immunohistochemistry to localize IDH family members within the cochlea and vestibule of the adult mouse inner ear. IDH1 was detected throughout the cochlea. IDH2 was expressed specifically in the hair cells, spiral ganglion, and stria vascularis. IDH3α was found in the cell bodies of neurons of the spiral ganglion, the stria vascularis, and in types II, IV, and V cells of the spiral ligament in a pattern that resembled the location of the Na+, K+-ATPase ion channel. We postulate that the IDH family participates in transporting K+ions in the cochlea. In the vestibule, all IDH family members were detected in both hair cells and the vestibular ganglion. We hypothesize that IDH1, IDH2, and IDH3 function to protect proteins in the inner ear from oxidative stress during K+recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many middle level teacher education programs attempt to explicitly address goals such as developmental responsiveness, empowerment and equity. Over the past 3 years, faculty at a regional comprehensive university explored perceptions of professional growth among middle level teacher candidates in a program that attempts to meet these aspirations. Analysis of reflective essays written in response to course assignments have documented ways that participants expressed views of themselves as teachers who reflected the values emphasized during professional courses and internships. Reflecting on internships provided opportunities for participants to analyze classroom experiences using these values as lenses, questioning themselves at times and affirming their values with concrete examples at other times. Insights from this study have guided faculty in designing a developmental framework that scaffolds teacher learning more precisely. Examples from student work provide illustrations of one candidate’s learning trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recent policy shifts in health care have created opportunities for social workers to provide services in integrated primary care and behavioral health settings. However, traditionally prepared social workers may not have the skill set necessary to meet practice demands. This article describes a behavioral health workforce initiative that trains master's of social work students for work in integrated primary care settings with children, adolescents, and transition-age youths. The training model includes field placements in integrated care settings, co-curricular seminars, and advanced clinical electives. This article identifies challenges of creating new field placements and developing new curricula to support students' acquisition of knowledge and skills required in integrated care settings. Additionally, it presents data on changes in students' knowledge and confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:YKL-40 is an inflammatory biomarker for endothelial dysfunction that may have a role in Kawasaki disease (KD). Objectives:We investigated the association of serum YKL-40 levels with KD and established laboratory parameters for YKL-40 levels and other inflammatory markers. Methods:YKL-40 levels and other inflammatory markers of 23 KD patients, 9 disease control patients and 11 age-matched healthy controls. Results:YKL-40 concentration in the serum of KD patients significantly increased during the acute disease phase compared with those of disease controls and healthy controls. Conclusions:Increased YKL-40 levels may provide a useful inflammatory marker for patients with KD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An explosion of smart technologies provides fashion retailers with innovative ways to transform the shopping experience and capitalise on strategic opportunities. Due to the fast growth of smart in-store technology (SIST) applications in retailing (e.g. tablets, smartphones, WiFi, augmented reality, apps, video, virtual catalogues, and smart tags), it is critical for academic researchers as well as retailers to understand consumer responses to these technologies. Thus, we examined the applicability of the technology acceptance model (TAM) for explaining consumer adoption of SIST. Online survey data (N = 657) were collected from US consumer panels managed by a marketing research firm in three different SIST settings (i.e. virtual mirror, socially interactive dressing room, and Radio Frequency IDentification music tag). The data indicated that the effects of the TAM beliefs on behavioural intention varied across the three SIST settings. Results also showed mixed evidence about the full mediating role of attitude in applying the TAM to SIST. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a natural extract from Schisandra chinensis for relief of various menopausal symptoms.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from January 1, 2014 until January 13, 2015. We recruited women between the ages of 40 and 70 years who complained of menopausal symptoms measured by the Kupperman Index (KI). Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either an extract from Schisandra chinensis (BMO-30) or placebo. They received the treatment for 6 weeks and were followed for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the mean interval change in KI score from baseline to week 12. Secondary measures included laboratory studies and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) score for sexual and bladder problems.Results: Forty-one patients were considered eligible for enrolment, and 36 completed the study. After screening and randomization, patients were categorized into the placebo group (n = 18) and the BMO-30 group (n = 18). Total KI scores were significantly lower in the BMO-30 group than in the placebo group when evaluated with respect to group and time (p = 0.042).Conclusions: BMO-30 from Schisandra chinensis can be a safe and effective complementary medicine for menopausal symptoms, especially for hot flushes, sweating, and heart palpitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-functional TET (TAF15/EWS/TLS) or FET (FUS/EWS/TLS) protein family of higher organisms harbor a transcriptional-activation domain (EAD) and an RNA-binding domain (RBD). The transcriptional activation function is, however, only revealed in oncogenic TET-fusion proteins because in native TET proteins it is auto-repressed by RGG-boxes within the TET RBD. Auto-repression is suggested to involve direct cation–pi interactions between multiple Arg residues within RGG boxes and EAD aromatics. Via analysis of TET transcriptional activity in different organisms, we report herein that repression is not autonomous but instead requires additional trans-acting factors. This finding is not supportive of a proposed model whereby repression occurs via a simple intramolecular EAD/RGG-box interaction. We also show that RGG-boxes present within reiterated YGGDRGG repeats that are unique to TAF15, are defective for repression due to the conserved Asp residue. Thus, RGG boxes within TET proteins can be functionally distinguished. While our results show that YGGDRGG repeats are not involved in TAF15 auto-repression, their remarkable number and conservation strongly suggest that they may confer specialized properties to TAF15 and thus contribute to functional differentiation within the TET/FET protein family. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and patterns of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in different subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria. Methods: One hundred and fifty-three Korean patients (M:F 83:70) with JIA were followed between 1990 and 2006 and were tested for ANA by an indirect immunofluorescence method using HEp-2 cells as the substrate. ANA tests were repeated in 37 patients during the course of the disease. The median age at onset was 7.5 years (range 0.8-15.9 years). Results: ANA were positive in 50 (33%) of the 153 patients at a dilution of 1:40 or higher (>1:40 in 70%, >1:80 in 2%, >1:160 in 16%, >1:320 in 2%, and >1:640 in 10%). The patterns of immunofluorescence staining were homogeneous in 50%, speckled in 38%, nucleolar in 8%, and centromere in 4%. ANA titres were decreased in 25 (68%) of the 37 patients, and the nuclear fluorescence patterns changed in 14 (38%) during follow-up. ANA seropositivity was associated with female sex (p<0.0001), negative HLA-B27 (p = 0.01), and a persistently elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at follow-up (p = 0.014). Furthermore, a high ANA titre (>1:160) was associated with a poor clinical outcome (active patients at follow-up) (p = 0.005). Conclusions: ANA may be an important marker of disease activity in patients with JIA. ANA titres tend to decrease during disease remission but the fluorescence patterns do not appear to be related to disease activity or clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various shrinkage-reducing agents and expansive admixtures have been developed to decrease the drying shrinkage of concrete at construction sites. However, concrete with added shrinkage-reducing agents has been reported to exhibit low frost resistance and low compressive strength during the early curing stages. It is possible to use an expansive admixture such as the K-type additive, composed of calcium sulphoaluminate, which contains an alumina source such as bauxite. Here, we develop a calcium sulphoaluminate expansive additive using industrial byproducts (fluidised bed boiler ash) and study the properties of the synthesised calcium sulphoaluminate using a micro-mechanical model. The hydration temperatures, drying shrinkage sand mechanical characteristics of mortar samples incorporating the manufactured calcium sulphoaluminate expansive additive are experimentally examined. The results show that the calcium sulphoaluminate additive generates a higher hydration temperature and an enhanced length change property. Finally, hauyne, developed following a suitable sintering process, may be an effective alternative calcium sulphoaluminate expansive additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because conventional Al-Si-based casting alloys are not suitable for high conductivity demanding parts, such as light-emitting diode lamp heat sink, the need for new high-conductivity aluminium alloys containing no Si became obvious. In this study, various properties of high conductivity Al-0·5Fe-0·5Mg-0·5Zn-xNi alloys were investigated. Ni additions appeared to enhance the tensile strength and corrosion potential of the alloys. Furthermore, hot cracking susceptibility of the alloys was also observed to increase with the increase in the Ni content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lateral jet thruster operates at high temperature and high pressure, which causes ablation at the nozzle neck and malfunction of the nozzle system. The function of the solid propulsion system's nozzle is to provide thrust to the system by effectively utilising the high temperature gas that is generated in the combustion chamber. The requirements of the lateral propulsion system have to be taken into account in nozzle design, as well as the structural safety of the nozzle itself. An accurate stress analysis therefore needs to be conducted beforehand, simultaneously taking into account the thermal stress caused by the heat transfer between the high temperature gas and the wall, and the mechanical stress resulting from the pressure in the flow path. This study examined nozzle safety according to thruster operating time, where high temperature and high pressure combustion gas explodes to propel the prototype lateral thruster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research purpose was to identify and test variables that contribute to customer's willingness to continue to shop in brick and mortar stores, hereafter referred to as store loyalty. Specifically, we examined interrelationships among store attributes, shopping enjoyment, place attachment, and store loyalty with apparel shoppers. Significant store attributes that predicted shopping enjoyment included atmosphere, price, leisure, design, and service. Shopping enjoyment was a significant predictor of both place attachment and store loyalty. In turn, place attachment was found to be a significant predictor of store loyalty. The implications for store retailing are discussed as well as limitations and areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Automatic bar type screeners are used as a primary filtration device in water flowing channels to remove unwanted solid materials from the influent. To reduce manpower, automatic mechanisms are used to clean screeners that are clogged with debris of various sizes. The rake experiences fatigue loading when water passes through the gate during the cleaning process. Therefore, the components must be designed to withstand the induced stresses. The teeth or pin is the crucial component in completing the function of the rake. However, it may rupture under periodic loadings. Replacing the pin requires a considerable amount of time and immense manpower. To solve this problem, this study first performs a structural analysis to predict stress distribution and total deformation on the individual pins under various types of loadings. A rake pin design with a rib is analyzed for the same loadings; the design demonstrated improved stress distribution with significantly small deformation. The results show that the mid-section of the rake, which is the most stress intensive region, must be carefully loaded to avoid fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium-silicon based casting alloys have been extensively utilised in various industrial applications, but their relatively low electrical and thermal conductivities make them unsuitable for high conductivity parts. In this research, Al-Fe-Si based high conductivity alloys containing limited silicon content were investigated. Al-0·5Fe- xSi alloys with silicon ranging from 0·5 to 2% showed significantly higher electrical conductivity than conventional Al-Si based alloys. The hot cracking susceptibility of Al-Fe-Si alloys became seriously high as the Si content increased up to 1·5%, then susceptibility rapidly reduced with the further increase in Si. The relationship between solidification characteristics and hot cracking susceptibility of Al-0·5Fe- xSi alloys was discussed based on the thermal and cooling curve analyses and microstructural observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for lightweight alloys for transportation equipment has increased considerably to meet the requirements for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. To reduce the weight of the engine subframe and cross-member, it is essential to develop a cast node component that connects the extrusions and with sufficient strength, toughness and castability including die soldering. Therefore, high strength alloy design and advanced casting process technology are needed to minimise the corresponding casting defects and die soldering. This study examined the die soldering and mechanical properties of Al-Si-Mg-Mn casting alloys prepared by permanent mould casting and evaluated the effects of alloying elements, such as Fe, Mn and Mg, on the tensile and fatigue behaviour. With increasing Fe and Mn contents, the fluidity and shrinkage decrease and die soldering improves. In addition, the increasing Mg content leads to a lower elongation and an improved tensile strength due to the increased precipitation of the Mg2Si phase. The high cycle fatigue lives show a similar tendency in the case of the R = −1 wave form with increasing total contents of Fe and Mn, whereas the fatigue strength increases with increasing Mg content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous three-layer mullite/alumina composites with a gradient in porosity and pore size were produced by a tertiary-butyl alcohol ice template technique. The porous products sintered at 1300-1500°C showed two types of pores, i.e. interconnected, unidirectional macro-pore channels and micrometre sized pores in the walls surrounding the pore channels. The layered materials showed superior compressive strength when compared with monolithic blocks, possibly due to the development of alternating layered structure with a gradient porosity and crack deflection along interlayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the applicability of electric arc furnace (EAF) oxidising slag as a concrete aggregate for structural members. The test variables are designed to the types of aggregates and axial loads. A total of six reinforced concrete columns subjected to reversed cyclic antisymmetric moment are tested in flexure. From experimental results, flexural strength of specimens with EAF oxidising slag aggregates is similar to that of specimens with natural aggregates regardless of axial loads. Furthermore, it can be founded from test results that ductility capacity of slag aggregate specimens is superior to that of natural aggregate specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural and electrochemical properties of various types of sulphur-carbon composites were reviewed to propose approaching ways for the development of lithium/sulphur battery with high energy density and good cycle performance. To improve the electrochemical properties of a sulphur cathode, carbon and polymer materials are applied to sulphur composites: multiwalled nanotube (MWNT), graphene, CMK-3 and activated carbon; and polyaniline (PANi), polyacrylonitrile and polythiophene (PTh). These can serve conducting paths and a polysulphide reservoir to enhance the electrical conductivity of the sulphur cathode and effectively prevent dissolution of polysulphides. And the composites are categorised in two parts such as mixed type sulphur composites and embedded type sulphur composites. Among the sulphur-carbon composites, the hollow carbon capsule/S composite prepared by a geometric control and an infusion method of sulphur in sulphur carbon composite electrode, demonstrated the best electrochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main mechanisms of turbine rotor damage is cyclic thermal stress produced during transition conditions, such as warm-up and shutdown processes. In this paper, the cyclic damage with ramp rate is studied in terms of material properties. To evaluate thermal stress damage during the cyclic operation, experiments were carried out on low cycle fatigue with hold time and a range of strain rates for COST FB2, 9Cr ferritic steel. Initially, the experimental fatigue life was evaluated using the time fraction and ductility exhaustion methods. The two analysis methods are compared with real life cases of different hold times and strain rates, and the accuracy is discussed. Next, to predict the plastic deformation curve for low cycle fatigue with hold time more accurately, an attempt was made to simulate cyclic hysteresis loop behaviour numerically using a time dependent viscoplastic constitutive model, and this was compared with the experimental hysteresis loop curve for each cycle number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural and electrochemical properties of various types of sulphur-carbon composites were reviewed to propose approaching ways for the development of lithium/sulphur battery with high energy density and good cycle performance. To improve the electrochemical properties of a sulphur cathode, carbon and polymer materials are applied to sulphur composites: multiwalled nanotube (MWNT), graphene, CMK-3 and activated carbon; and polyaniline (PANi), polyacrylonitrile and polythiophene (PTh). These can serve conducting paths and a polysulphide reservoir to enhance the electrical conductivity of the sulphur cathode and effectively prevent dissolution of polysulphides. And the composites are categorised in two parts such as mixed type sulphur composites and embedded type sulphur composites. Among the sulphur-carbon composites, the hollow carbon capsule/S composite prepared by a geometric control and an infusion method of sulphur in sulphur carbon composite electrode, demonstrated the best electrochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental investigations of the forced response of swirl-stabilized turbulent flames to upstream flow disturbances were performed in an industrial scale gas turbine combustor operating with natural gas fuel and CO2/air. We measured flame transfer functions (FTFs) for a wide range of forcing frequency over a broad range of operating conditions with 50–120 kW thermal power. A sensitivity analysis was then performed in order to identify the key dimensionless parameters controlling the forced swirl flame dynamics. Two different dimensionless parameters,St1 = (fδsw)/UandSt2 = (fLf)/U, are used as dimensionless frequencies, while the dependence of the FTF gain on the turbulent flame speed is taken into account using a dimensionless flame length, ξ = Lf/Dc. The implementation of the nondimensionalization strategy using several time and length scales reveals that all FTFs are well characterized by eitherSt1orSt2, but the best result is obtained from a combination ofSt1andSt2, which accounts for the interference mechanisms of vortical and acoustic disturbances in the system. As a consequence, the occurrence of local minima and local maxima, a clear manifestation of destructive and constructive interferences of acoustically forced swirl-stabilized flames, is well captured by the dimensionless numbers. This methodology is then applied to extensive FTF data measured from a different gas turbine combustor. A comparison of the FTFs for the two different gas turbine combustion systems provides insight into generalized transfer function behaviors in the dimensionless domain. This study focuses on velocity-coupled combustion instability, and these generalizations may not extend to situations where other coupling mechanisms dominate. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]