Cost effective and sustainable? Photovoltaic (PV) rebate program in Australia

The Australian Government has recently announced a Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme to provide up front payments of $8,000 for around 25,250 households of income less than$100,000 per year installing a 150 watt solar panel system starting on 01 July 2009 using $202 million taxpayers' money. The scheme has not included households' with incomes greater than$100,000, nor developers who produce new houses. Whether the policies are effective and sustainable is arguable. This paper examines policies designed to encourage households to install solar panel system in Australia and demonstrates reasons for supporting developers to build green houses using Net Present Value (NPV) analysis in a case study. The findings suggest that the government should support installation of solar systems by both households and the developers. ©2009 IEEE

Control of human endometrial stromal cell motility by PDGF-BB, HB-EGF and trophoblast-secreted factors

Human implantation involves extensive tissue remodeling at the fetal-maternal interface. It is becoming increasingly evident that not only trophoblast, but also decidualizing endometrial stromal cells are inherently motile and invasive, and likely contribute to the highly dynamic processes at the implantation site. The present study was undertaken to further characterize the mechanisms involved in the regulation of endometrial stromal cell motility and to identify trophoblast-derived factors that modulate migration. Among local growth factors known to be present at the time of implantation, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) triggered chemotaxis (directed locomotion), whereas platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB elicited both chemotaxis and chemokinesis (non-directed locomotion) of endometrial stromal cells. Supernatants of the trophoblast cell line AC-1M88 and of first trimester villous explant cultures stimulated chemotaxis but not chemokinesis. Proteome profiling for cytokines and angiogenesis factors revealed neither PDGF-BB nor HB-EGF in conditioned media from trophoblast cells or villous explants, while placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and PDGF-AA were identified as prominent secretory products. Among these, only PDGF-AA triggered endometrial stromal cell chemotaxis. Neutralization of PDGF-AA in trophoblast conditioned media, however, did not diminish chemoattractant activity, suggesting the presence of additional trophoblast-derived chemotactic factors. Pathway inhibitor studies revealed ERK1/2, PI3 kinase/Akt and p38 signaling as relevant for chemotactic motility, whereas chemokinesis depended primarily on PI3 kinase/Akt activation. Both chemotaxis and chemokinesis were stimulated upon inhibition of Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase. The chemotactic response to trophoblast secretions was not blunted by inhibition of isolated signaling cascades, indicating activation of overlapping pathways in trophoblast-endometrial communication. In conclusion, trophoblast signals attract endometrial stromal cells, while PDGF-BB and HB-EGF, although not identified as trophoblast-derived, are local growth factors that may serve to fine-tune directed and non-directed migration at the implantation site

The influence of multi-morbidity and self-reported socio-economic standing on the prevalence of depression in an elderly Hong Kong population

<b>Background</b> There has been an increasing prevalence of both depression and chronic medical conditions globally but the relationship between depression and multi-morbidity is not well understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between depression, multi-morbidity (number of chronic medical conditions, and measures of socioeconomic standing (SES) in an elderly Hong Kong population.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> Cross sectional study. Information on clinically relevant depressive symptoms, measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and demographic and chronic medical conditions were collected using standardized questionnaires. Information collected on SES included educational status (ES), maximum ever income (MEI), and self-perceived social standing in local community (SES-COM) and in Hong Kong generally (SES-HK). Analysis was conducted using multiple logistic regression.<p></p> <b>Results</b> Depression rates were similar in men and women (GDS caseness 8.1% vs 8.4%). Multi-morbidity of chronic medical conditions was common (40% of men and 46% of women had three or more). In the overall sample, the prevalence of depression was associated with the number of chronic medical conditions (OR 1.27; CI: 1.16–1.39). In addition, SES-HK and SES-COM were significant independent variables.<p></p> <b>Conclusion</b> In this elderly Hong Kong population, depression prevalence rose markedly with number of chronic medical conditions and SES-HK and SES-COM

On the effects of the fix geometric constraint in 2D profiles on the reusability of parametric 3D CAD models

[EN] In order to be reusable, history-based feature-based parametric CAD models must reliably allow for modifications while maintaining their original design intent. In this paper, we demonstrate that relations that fix the location of geometric entities relative to the reference system produce inflexible profiles that reduce model reusability. We present the results of an experiment where novice students and expert CAD users performed a series of modifications in different versions of the same 2D profile, each defined with an increasingly higher number of fix geometric constraints. Results show that the amount of fix constraints in a 2D profile correlates with the time required to complete reusability tasks, i.e., the higher the number of fix constraints in a 2D profile, the less flexible and adaptable the profile becomes to changes. In addition, a pilot software tool to automatically track this type of constraints was developed and tested. Results suggest that the detection of fix constraint overuse may result in a new metric to assess poor quality models with low reusability. The tool provides immediate feedback for preventing high semantic level quality errors, and assistance to CAD users. Finally, suggestions are introduced on how to convert fix constraints in 2D profiles into a negative metric of 3D model quality.The authors would like to thank Raquel Plumed for her support in the statistical analysis. This work has been partially funded by Grant UJI-A02017-15 (Universitat Jaume I) and DPI201784526-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER, UE), project CAL-MBE. The authors also wish to thank the editor and reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions that helped us improve the quality of the paper.González-Lluch, C.; Company, P.; Contero, M.; Pérez Lopez, DC.; Camba, JD. (2019). On the effects of the fix geometric constraint in 2D profiles on the reusability of parametric 3D CAD models. International Journal of Technology and Design Education. 29(4):821-841. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-018-9458-zS821841294Ait-Aoudia, S., & Foufou, S. (2010). A 2D geometric constraint solver using a graph reduction method. Advances in Engineering Software, 41(10), 1187–1194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2010.07.008 .Ault, H. K. (1999). Using geometric constraints to capture design intent. Journal for Geometry and Graphics, 3(1), 39–45.Ault, H. K. (2004). Over-constrained, under-constrained or just right? Goldilocks evaluates DOF of sketched profiles. Paper presented at American Society for Engineering Education, 59th annual midyear meeting past, present and future? Williamsburg, November 21–23.Ault, H. K., Bu, L., & Liu, K. (2014). Solid modeling strategies-analyzing student choices. Paper presented at proceedings of the 121st ASEE annual conference and exposition, Indianapolis, June 15–18.Ault, H. K., & Fraser, A. (2013). A comparison of manual vs. online grading for solid models. Paper presented at 120th ASEE annual conference and exposition, Atlanta, GA, June 23–26, 2013, Paper ID #7233.Barbero, B. R., Pedrosa, C. M., & Samperio, R. Z. (2016). Learning CAD at university through summaries of the rules of design intent. International Journal of Technology and Design Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-016-9358-z .Bodein, Y., Bertrand, R., & Caillaud, E. (2014). Explicit reference modeling methodology in parametric CAD system. Computers in Industry, 65(1), 136–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2013.08.004 .Bouma, W., Fudos, I., Hoffmann, C., Cai, J., & Paige, R. (1995). Geometric constraint solver. Computer-Aided Design, 27(6), 487–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-4485(94)00013-4 .Briggs, J. C., Hepworth, A. I., Stone, B. R., Cobum, J. Q., Jensen, C. G., & Red, E. (2015). Integrated, synchronous multi-user design and analysis. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 15(3), 031002. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4029801 .Buckley, J., Seery, N., & Canty, D. (2017). Heuristics and CAD modelling: An examination of student behaviour during problem solving episodes within CAD modelling activities. International Journal of Technology and Design Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-017-9423-2 .Camba, J. D., & Contero, M. (2015). Assessing the impact of geometric design intent annotations on parametric model alteration activities. Computers in Industry, 71, 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2015.03.006 .Camba, J. D., Contero, M., & Company, P. (2016). Parametric CAD modeling: An analysis of strategies for design reusability. Computer-Aided Design, 74, 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2016.01.003 .Camba, J. D., Contero, M., & Company, P. (2017). CAD reusability and the role of modeling information in the MBE context. Model-based enterprise summit 2017. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, April 3–7. MBE17-020. https://www.nist.gov/file/361581 .Cheng, Z., & Ma, Y. (2017). A functional feature modeling method. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 33, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2017.04.003 .Cheng, Z., Xie, Y., & Ma, Y. (2018). Graph centrality analysis of feature dependencies to unveil modeling intents. Computer-Aided Design and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1080/16864360.2018.1441236 .Chester, I. (2007). Teaching for CAD expertise. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 17, 23–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-006-9015-z .Company, P., Contero, M., Otey, J., & Plumed, R. (2015). Approach for developing coordinated rubrics to convey quality criteria in CAD training. Computer-Aided Design, 63, 101–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2014.10.00 .Company, P., & González-Lluch, C. (2013). CAD 3D con SolidWorks ® Tomo I: Diseño básico. Publicacions de la Universitat Jaume I. (Colección Sapientia, Núm. 86). http://cad3dconsolidworks.uji.es .Contero, M., Company, P., Vila, C., & Aleixos, N. (2002). Product data quality and collaborative engineering. IEEE Computer Graphics Applications, 22(3), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.2002.999786 .Dixon, B. M., & Dannenhoffer, J. F., III. (2014). Geometric sketch constraint solving with user feedback. Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, 11(5), 316–325. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.I010110 .Fudos, I., & Hoffmann, C. M. (1997). A graph-constructive approach to solving systems of geometric constraints. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 16(2), 179–216. https://doi.org/10.1145/248210.248223 .Ge, J. X., Chou, S. C., & Gao, X. S. (1999). Geometric constraint satisfaction using optimization methods. Computer-Aided Design, 31(14), 867–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-4485(99)00074-3 .González-Lluch, C., Company, P., Contero, M., Camba, J. D., & Colom, J. (2017a). A case study on the use of model quality testing tools for the assessment of MCAD models and drawings. International Journal of Engineering Education, 33(5), 1643–1653.González-Lluch, C., Company, P., Contero, M., Camba, J. D., & Plumed, R. (2017b). A survey on 3D CAD model quality assurance and testing tools. Computer-Aided Design, 83, 64–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2016.10.003 .Hamade, R. F. (2009). Profiling the desirable CAD trainee: Technical background, personality attributes, and learning preferences. Journal of Mechanical Design, 131(12), 121009–121019. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4000455 .Hekman, K. A., & Gordon, M. T. (2013). Automated grading of first year student CAD work. Paper presented at the 120th ASEE annual conference and exposition 2013, Atlanta, GA, June 23–26. Paper ID #6379.Hepworth, A., Tew, K., Trent, M., Ricks, R., Jensen, C. G., & Red, E. R. (2014). Model consistency and conflict resolution with data preservation in multi-user computer aided design. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 14(2), 021008. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4026553 .Jackson, C., & Buxton, M. (2007). The design reuse benchmark report: Seizing the opportunity to shorten product development. Boston: Aberdeen Group.Joan-Arinyo, R., Soto-Riera, A., Vila-Marta, S., & Vilaplana-Pastó, J. (2003). Transforming an under-constrained geometric constraint problem into a well-constrained one. Paper presented at proceedings of ACM SM03, Seatle, June 16–20.Kirstukas, S. J. (2016). Development and evaluation of a computer program to assess student CAD models. Paper presented at ASEE annual conference and exposition, New Orleans, June 26.Kramer, G. (1991). Using degrees of freedom analysis to solve geometric constraint systems. Paper presented at proceedings of the first ACM symposium on solid modeling foundations and CAD/CAM applications 1991, Austin, June 05–07.Kwon, S., Kim, B. C., Mun, D., & Han, S. (2015). Graph-based simplification of feature-based three-dimensional computer-aided design models for preserving connectivity. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 15(3), 031010. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4030748 .Leea, J. Y., & Kimb, K. (1998). A 2-D geometric constraint solver using DOF-based graph reduction. Computer-Aided Design, 30(11), 883–896. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-4485(98)00045-1 .Mata Burgarolas, N. (1997). Solving incidence and tangency constraints in 2D. Technical report LSI-97-3R, Departament LiSI, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.Petrina, S. (2003). Two cultures of technical courses and discourses: The case of computer aided design. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 13, 47–73.Race, P. (2001). The lecturers toolkit—A practical guide to learning, teaching and assessment. Great Britain: Glasgow.Red, E., French, D., Jensen, G., Walker, S. S., & Madsen, P. (2013). Emerging design methods and tools in collaborative product development. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 13(3), 031001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4023917 .Robertson, B. F., Walther, J., & Radcliffe, D. (2007). Creativity and the use of CAD tools: Lessons for engineering design education from industry. Journal of Mechanical Design, 129(7), 753–760. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2722329 .Stone, B., Salmon, J., Eves, K., Killian, M., Wright, L., Oldroyd, J., et al. (2017). A multi-user computer-aided design competition: Experimental findings and analysis of team-member dynamics. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 17(3), 031003. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035674 .Summers, J. D., & Shah, J. J. (2010). Mechanical engineering design complexity metrics: Size, coupling, and solvability. Journal of Mechanical Design, 132(2), 21004–21015. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4000759 .Szewczyk, J. (2003). Difficulties with the novices’ comprehension of the computer-aided design (CAD) interface: Understanding visual representations of CAD tools. Journal of Engineering Design, 14(2), 169–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/0954482031000091491

Ultra-Sensitivity Glucose Sensor Based on Field Emitters

A new glucose sensor based on field emitter of ZnO nanorod arrays (ZNA) was fabricated. This new type of ZNA field emitter-based sensor shows high sensitivity with experimental limit of detection of 1 nM glucose solution and a detection range from 1 nM to 50 μM in air at room temperature, which is lower than that of glucose sensors based on surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, fluorescence signal transmission, and electrochemical signal transduction. The new glucose sensor provides a key technique for promising consuming application in biological system for detecting low levels of glucose on single cells or bacterial cultures

FRA2 is a STAT5 target gene regulated by IL-2 in human CD4 T cells

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 5(STAT5) are cytokine induced signaling proteins, which regulate key immunological processes, such as tolerance induction, maintenance of homeostasis, and CD4 T-effector cell differentiation. In this study, transcriptional targets of STAT5 in CD4 T cells were studied by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Genomic mapping of the sites cloned and identified in this study revealed the striking observation that the majority of STAT5-binding sites mapped to intergenic (>50 kb upstream) or intronic, rather than promoter proximal regions. Of the 105 STAT5 responsive binding sites identified, 94% contained the canonical (IFN-γ activation site) GAS motifs. A number of putative target genes identified here are associated with tumor biology. Here, we identified Fos-related antigen 2 (FRA2) as a transcriptional target of IL-2 regulated STAT5. FRA2 is a basic -leucine zipper (bZIP) motif 'Fos' family transcription factor that is part of the AP-1 transcription factor complex and is also known to play a critical role in the progression of human tumours and more recently as a determinant of T cell plasticity. The binding site mapped to an internal intron within the FRA2 gene. The epigenetic architecture of FRA2, characterizes a transcriptionally active promoter as indicated by enrichment for histone methylation marks H3K4me1, H3K4me2, H3K4me3, and transcription/elongation associated marks H2BK5me1 and H4K20me1. FRA2 is regulated by IL-2 in activated CD4 T cells. Consistently, STAT5 bound to GAS sequence in the internal intron of FRA2 and reporter gene assays confirmed IL-2 induced STAT5 binding and transcriptional activation. Furthermore, addition of JAK3 inhibitor (R333) or Daclizumab inhibited the induction in TCR stimulated cells. Taken together, our data suggest that FRA2 is a novel STAT5 target gene, regulated by IL-2 in activated CD4 T cells

Financial risk tolerance of Chinese American families

This chapter investigates the factors that affect financial risk tolerance of Chinese American households. Research on the economic well-being of Chinese American households is extremely limited. Few national datasets differentiate Chinese Americans from other race/ethnicity groups. For this study, a survey of Chinese American households residing in Midwestern states was conducted. The results showed that about 80.5 % of the sample households expressed a willingness to take at least some financial risks. Factors that have an impact on financial risk tolerance of Chinese American households included gender, non-financial assets, income, and investment time horizon. Chinese Americans represents a small but fast-growing population in the USA. More research should be done to better serve the financial needs of this group.Includes bibliographical references