Phase Separation of Saturated and Mono-unsaturated Lipids as determined from a Microscopic Model

A molecular model is proposed of a bilayer consisting of fully saturated DPPC and mono unsaturated DOPC. The model not only encompasses the constant density within the hydrophobic core of the bilayer, but also the tendency of chain segments to align. It is solved within self-consistent field theory. A model bilayer of DPPC undergoes a main chain transition to a gel phase, while a bilayer of DOPC does not do so above zero degrees centigrade because of the double bond which disrupts order. We examine structural and thermodynamic properties of these membranes and find our results in reasonable accord with experiment. In particular, order-parameter profiles are in good agreement with NMR experiments. A phase diagram is obtained for mixtures of these lipids in a membrane at zero tension. The system undergoes phase separation below the main-chain transition temperature of the saturated lipid. Extensions to the ternary DPPC, DOPC, and cholesterol system are outlined.Comment: 29 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. revised versio

On a conjecture of Atiyah

In this note we explain how the computation of the spectrum of the lamplighter group from \cite{Grigorchuk-Zuk(2000)} yields a counterexample to a strong version of the Atiyah conjectures about the range of $L^2$-Betti numbers of closed manifolds.Comment: 8 pages, A4 pape

Wheat forecast economics effect study

A model to assess the value of improved information regarding the inventories, productions, exports, and imports of crop on a worldwide basis is discussed. A previously proposed model is interpreted in a stochastic control setting and the underlying assumptions of the model are revealed. In solving the stochastic optimization problem, the Markov programming approach is much more powerful and exact as compared to the dynamic programming-simulation approach of the original model. The convergence of a dual variable Markov programming algorithm is shown to be fast and efficient. A computer program for the general model of multicountry-multiperiod is developed. As an example, the case of one country-two periods is treated and the results are presented in detail. A comparison with the original model results reveals certain interesting aspects of the algorithms and the dependence of the value of information on the incremental cost function

Strategies for Reducing Voluntary Employee Turnover in Call Centers

Call center business leaders who experience voluntary employee turnover are affected by low productivity and high attrition. Call center business leaders are concerned about voluntary employee turnover, as 35 of every 100 call center employees leave the company within the first 6 months of their start date. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies call center business leaders use to reduce voluntary employee turnover among several call center managers located in Southeastern New Mexico. The conceptual framework supporting this study was Burns’ transformational leadership theory. The participants included 3 call center business leaders who successfully implemented strategies reducing voluntary employee turnover. Data collection included face-to-face interviews, open-ended questions, and audio recordings. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-stage method of qualitative data analysis. Five themes that emerged from this study were: employee turnover, job satisfaction, training and development, employee compensation, and reward and recognition. Business leaders in call center organizations who positively reduce voluntary employee turnover may influence productivity, improve organizational growth, and increase job satisfaction. Business leaders can use the findings from this study to create a positive social change in call center business leaders’ awareness of retention strategies by focusing on the organizations’ performance. Organization leaders who reduce voluntary employee turnover could potentially lead employees to long-term growth and development career opportunities that can affect social change to benefit the behaviors of the company’s employees and families in the community

Spray automated balancing of rotors: Methods and materials

The work described consists of two parts. In the first part, a survey is performed to assess the state of the art in rotor balancing technology as it applies to Army gas turbine engines and associated power transmission hardware. The second part evaluates thermal spray processes for balancing weight addition in an automated balancing procedure. The industry survey reveals that: (1) computerized balancing equipment is valuable to reduce errors, improve balance quality, and provide documentation; (2) slow-speed balancing is used exclusively, with no forseeable need for production high-speed balancing; (3) automated procedures are desired; and (4) thermal spray balancing is viewed with cautious optimism whereas laser balancing is viewed with concern for flight propulsion hardware. The FARE method (Fuel/Air Repetitive Explosion) was selected for experimental evaluation of bond strength and fatigue strength. Material combinations tested were tungsten carbide on stainless steel (17-4), Inconel 718 on Inconel 718, and Triballoy 800 on Inconel 718. Bond strengths were entirely adequate for use in balancing. Material combinations have been identified for use in hot and cold sections of an engine, with fatigue strengths equivalent to those for hand-ground materials

Molecular theory of hydrophobic mismatch between lipids and peptides

Effects of the mismatch between the hydrophobic length, d, of transmembrane alpha helices of integral proteins and the hydrophobic thickness, D_h, of the membranes they span are studied theoretically utilizing a microscopic model of lipids. In particular, we examine the dependence of the period of a lamellar phase on the hydrophobic length and volume fraction of a rigid, integral, peptide. We find that the period decreases when a short peptide, such that d<D_h, is inserted. More surprising, we find that the period increases when a long peptide, such that d>D_h, is inserted. The effect is due to the replacement of extensible lipid tails by rigid peptide. As the peptide length is increased, the lamellar period continues to increase, but at a slower rate, and can eventually decrease. The amount of peptide which fails to incorporate and span the membrane increases with the magnitude of the hydrophobic mismatch |d-D_h|. We explicate these behaviors which are all in accord with experiment. Predictions are made for the dependence of the tilt of a single trans-membrane alpha helix on hydrophobic mismatch and helix density.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Letting the Kids Run Wild: Free-Range Parenting and the (De)Regulation of Child Protective Services

Families in the United States suffer from a removal epidemic. The child welfare framework allows unnecessary and harmful intervention into family and parenting matters, traditionally left to the discretion of the parent. Many states allow Child Protective Services (“CPS”) to investigate, intervene, and permanently separate a child from their parents for innocuous activities such as letting the child play outside unattended. This especially affects low-income and minority families. To prevent CPS from unnecessarily intervening in a family’s decision to let their children engage in independent, unsupervised activities, Utah passed a “free-range” parenting act (“Act”) in 2018. The Act explicitly excludes independent, age-appropriate activities from the definition of neglect. This Act has remained largely unexamined: whether the passage of the free-range parenting law has resulted in a decrease of non-supervision cases referred to and substantiated by CPS is unclear. It is also unclear whether free-range parenting laws are a viable solution to the issue of unnecessary and harmful state intervention, in general. This Note explores whether the free-range parenting law passed in Utah in 2018 has led to any discernible reduction in non-supervision cases and removals. Since the statistical analysis has significant limitations, the Note then takes a more general approach in examining whether these laws address the causes of unnecessary state intervention. The Note finds that many free-range parenting laws fail to address larger issues in the child welfare system and tend to mainly benefit middle-class and high-income families. A solution will likely require a concerted effort by all three branches of the government. It is imperative that efforts to pass free-range parenting laws are not abandoned but rather utilized for bigger and more equitable change