A study of self-imposed silence and perceived listening effectiveness

This study examines the affects of self-imposed silence on perceived listening effectiveness. The subjects used in this study were 15 males and 17 females from the McAllen area (n = 32). These subjects were nonsystematically approached at the Lark Community Center/Library to solicit participation in the study. Four tests were performed to test the possible affects that 12 hours of self-imposed silence may have on listening. The independent t-test used to analyze differences in posttest scores between the treatment group and the control group revealed that no significant difference was found. The independent t-test used to analyze differences in pretest scores revealed that both group\u27s scores were initially equal. Paired t-tests were used to compare differences in pretest and posttest scores on the Listening Styles Inventory for the treatment group and then again for the control group. No significant difference was found in either paired t-test

Offsetting Peak Residential Cooling Loads Using a Medium Temperature Chiller and Sensible Cold Thermal Storage

Space cooling places a significant peak load on the electrical grid during hot, sunny afternoons. With the introduction of time-of-use billing, space cooling during these periods has become very expensive. To reduce utility costs and shift peak loads, the use of a medium temperature chiller coupled with a sensible cold thermal storage system was investigated. Optimal configurations were found for seven cities located within each of the seven ASHRAE climate zones and an analysis on the energy consumption and annual utility costs are presented. It was found that in all locations, peak loads from air-conditioning could be reduced or eliminated, and that when the cooling load was great enough, or the peak utility rate was sufficiently greater than the off-peak period, annual utility costs savings, approaching 30% in some areas, could be realized

Assessing the Potential for Reduction in Peak Residential Electrical Loads Using a Heat Pump and Thermal Storage Systems

Demand for space cooling in Canada has significantly increased in the past 20 years, and in conjunction with space heating loads in the winter are placing larger peak loads on the electrical grid. As a result, utilities must increase their generating and transmission capacity to meet the peak annual demand, with much of the capacity going unused for large portions of the year. Additionally, base loads are typically met using cleaner technologies including hydro and nuclear, while the variable peak loads are more commonly met using fossil fuel generation, increasing the greenhouse gas emissions per kilowatt-hour of electrical generation. To reduce this peak load, demand side management strategies are becoming more common, with one potential method for reducing the peak load produced by residential buildings is the pairing a heat pump with thermal storage. This paper outlines the first stage of a multi-stage research project to develop a comprehensive system and control strategy for a residential heat pump with sensible hot and cold thermal storage tanks. It outlines the steps that were taken to optimize the control strategy, with a focus on reducing consumption during peak periods while remaining cost and greenhouse gas emission neutral on an annual basis. It was found that using small scale sensible storage and a standard geothermal heat pump, a reduction in the percent of energy used during peak periods is realized, however the annual consumption, electrical costs, and greenhouse gas emissions increase. This was primarily the result of a significant decrease in heat pump performance as the result of lower source and higher load temperatures into the heat pump

Report on Long-Term Impacts (STEP program)

P/PV's Summer Training and Education Program (STEP) model was designed to target those who were most likely to drop out -- 14- and 15-year-olds who were economically and academically disadvantaged. Our previous evaluations found significant short-term improvements in reading, math and sexual responsibility knowledge for the treatment group compared with the control group. This report, which presents postprogram impacts of STEP participation on the youth's educational achievements, sexual behavior and economic conditions, finds no evidence to suggest that the short-term STEP intervention had long-term impacts. The report does, however, present a clear picture of how the behaviors of these youth evolve, which may help inform future policies and programs targeted at this population

Genomic organization and classification of the bovine WC1 genes and expression by peripheral blood gamma delta T cells

Background: WC1 co-receptors are group B scavenger receptor cysteine-rich molecules that are found exclusively on γδT cells and are thought to be encoded by a multi-gene family. Previous studies have shown γδT cells that respond to a particular stimulus have unique WC1 molecules expressed. Prior to the onset of the studies described here only one full-length WC1 nucleotide sequence was publicly available, though three WC1 molecules had been distinguished based on monoclonal antibody reactivity. Furthermore, the number of WC1 genes found in the bovine genome and their sequences had not yet been resolved. Results: By annotating the bovine genome Btau_3.1 assembly, here we show the existence of 13 members in the WC1 gene family and their organization within two loci on chromosome 5 including three distinct exon-intron gene structures one of which coded for a potentially more primitive and smaller WC1 molecule that is similar to the swine WC1 gene. We also provide cDNA evidence as verification for many of the annotated sequences and show transcripts for isoforms derived by alternative splicing. Conclusion: It is possible that WC1 diversity contributes to functional differences that have been observed between γδT cell populations. The studies described here demonstrate that WC1 molecules are encoded by a large, multi-gene family whose transcripts undergo extensive alternative splicing. Similar to other non-rearranging immunoreceptors, it is likely that the WC1 gene repertoire underwent expansion in order to keep pace with rapidly changing ligands

LIP expression is regulated by IGF-1R signaling and participates in suppression of anoikis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The transcription factor, CCAAT enhancer binding protein-β (C/EBPβ), is expressed as several distinct protein isoforms (LAP1, LAP2 and LIP) that have opposing actions in cellular proliferation and differentiation. Increases in the ratio of LIP/LAP are associated with aggressive, metastatic breast cancer; however, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that regulate LIP expression or the biological actions of an increase in the LIP/LAP ratio. Metastasis is highly dependent upon the suppression of anoikis and the role of C/EBPβ and LIP in this anchorage-independent, survival process is currently not known in mammary epithelial cells. IGF-1R signaling is important for the survival of breast cancer cells and crosstalk between IGF-1R and EGFR signaling pathways have been implicated in the development of more aggressive disease. We therefore evaluated in mammary epithelial cells whether IGF-1R signaling regulates the LIP/LAP ratio, analyzed the potential interplay between EGFR and IGF-1R signaling and addressed the biological significance of increased LIP expression in cellular survival and suppression of anoikis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our data provide the first evidence that IGF-1R signaling regulates LIP expression in an EGFR independent manner to increase the LIP/LAP ratio in mammary epithelial cells. Although crosstalk between IGF-1R signaling and EGFR signaling is detectable in MCF10A cells, this crosstalk is not required for the IGF-1 mediated regulation of LIP expression. Rather, the critical regulator of IGF-1 induced LIP expression appears to be EGFR-independent, Akt activity. Our data also demonstrate that increases in LIP expression promote cell survival via suppression of anoikis. Likewise, knockdown of total C/EBPβ leads to increased cell death and suggest that C/EBPβ expression is important for survival and resistance to anoikis. IGF-1 treatment can partially rescue vector control cells from anoikis; however, cells with reduced C/EBPβ expression do not survive anoikis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, our data demonstrate that IGF-1R signaling regulates LIP expression in an EGFR independent manner to increase the LIP/LAP ratio in mammary epithelial cells. C/EBPβ expression and elevations in LIP play an important role in regulating cellular survival via suppression of anoikis, in an IGF-1R mediated context or in a manner independent of IGF-1R signaling.</p

Comparison And Validation Of Modelling Methods For Non-Homogenous Walls Incorporating Vacuum Insulation Panels

As of 2012, space heating accounted for 62% of Canada’s secondary residential energy use, the most significant category by a large margin. New strategies and policies to reduce overall energy consumption, with a focus on reducing space heating energy. Voluntary performances standards have been developed for new homes including R-2000, LEED Canada for Homes and Passive House. These standards add a series of performance criteria, in addition to conventional building code, in an effort to reduce a home’s energy consumption and include a limit on energy and water consumption, and prescribe minimum levels of insulation, ventilation, etc. Generally, extensive modelling, proof of concept and/or builder training are required to obtain the energy efficiency designation. A common method of maintaining a home within the constrained energy budget is to increase the overall air tightness and insulation in the dwelling above conventional construction standards through additional sealing and insulation. The typical industry practice for increasing the insulation value involves simply adding more insulation. However, this practice is not always possible or favorable. For example, adding thickness to the walls will either increase the dwelling’s footprint or reduce the usefulfloor space within the home. As a consequence, many studies are being performed on vacuum insulated panels (VIPs), which offer a high thermal resistance per unit thickness when compared to conventional materials. VIPs consist of a metallic enclosure and a vacuum maintained inside, effectively eliminating the conduction through the center of panel, however a thermal bridge will occur along the edges. There are concerns about whether the fragility and the non-homogenous nature of the panels will cause problems within residential dwellings, as well as how to model VIPs within building assemblies effectively. Currently, there is no method of efficiently modelling the non-homogenous nature of the panels in building applications to meet requirements prescribed in performance standards, hinders the widespread adoption of VIPs. This paper compares two methods of modelling the steady-state heat transfer across a composite, non-homogenous wall assembly containing VIPs validated against measured experimental data. Method 1 is the typical practice used by industry experts and involves creating a thermal model for each unique 2D profile within the wall assembly independently. The effective thermal conductivity (U-value) for the assembly was calculated using weighted averages method based on proportional coverage area of each profile and involves multiplying the U-value by the ratio of profile height to the overall height of the wall. In method 2, a single profile was created based on the wall composition, coverage area, and layout of non-homogenous sections to represent the entire assembly then modelled in THERM. The results of both methods were compared to an empirically calculated thermal resistance based on measured heat flux across five points in a representative assembly under steady-state conditions in a guarded hot box. The feasibility of using either modelling method to find the thermal resistance of wall assemblies incorporating VIPs and if a single representative profile can accurately determine thermal resistance to avoid modelling all profiles included within the wall was examined

Annotation and classification of the bovine T cell receptor delta genes

Abstract Background: gδ T cells differ from ab T cells with regard to the types of antigen with which their T cell receptors interact; gδ T cell antigens are not necessarily peptides nor are they presented on MHC. Cattle are considered a “gδ T cell high” species indicating they have an increased proportion of gδ T cells in circulation relative to that in “gδ T cell low” species such as humans and mice. Prior to the onset of the studies described here, there was limited information regarding the genes that code for the T cell receptor delta chains of this gδ T cell high species. Results: By annotating the bovine (Bos taurus) genome Btau_3.1 assembly the presence of 56 distinct T cell receptor delta (TRD) variable (V) genes were found, 52 of which belong to the TRDV1 subgroup and were comingled with the T cell receptor alpha variable (TRAV) genes. In addition, two genes belonging to the TRDV2 subgroup and single TRDV3 and TRDV4 genes were found. We confirmed the presence of five diversity (D) genes, three junctional (J) genes and a single constant (C) gene and describe the organization of the TRD locus. The TRDV4 gene is found downstream of the C gene and in an inverted orientation of transcription, consistent with its orthologs in humans and mice. cDNA evidence was assessed to validate expression of the variable genes and showed that one to five D genes could be incorporated into a single transcript. Finally, we grouped the bovine and ovine TRDV1 genes into sets based on their relatedness. Conclusions: The bovine genome contains a large and diverse repertoire of TRD genes when compared to the genomes of “gδ T cell low” species. This suggests that in cattle gδ T cells play a more important role in immune function since they would be predicted to bind a greater variety of antigens