Buying into the Bypass: Allowing Trucks to pay to use the Ramp Meter Bypasses

People make their route choices based on the delays they experience but not on the delays they impose on others. Moreover different travelers have different values of time. Road Pricing can be seen as the means to optimize the use of a roadway by charging each traveler the cost he imposes on others. This paper analyzes the opening of an HOV ramp meter bypass to trucks that pay a toll. Trucks are similar to HOV as both have a higher value of time than a single occupant car. Thus, by saving time for these vehicles the system stands to gain. The toll to be set was estimated under three scenarios ­ user benefit maximization, profit maximization and system benefit maximization. A queue was simulated, and based on the decision criteria the optimal toll was determined. It is found that to maximize the system welfare, the high Value of Time vehicles like trucks should be allowed to use the bypass for free, but that raises some equity and operational issues. However a toll that allows trucks to use the bypass improves the welfare over simply prohibiting the trucks from the bypass.Trucks, HOV, Ramp Meter, Pricing .

Physical and Psychological Factors Affecting sportsman Performance: The moderating role of sports training: A case on Saudi Arabia Athletics

Using a questionnaire-based technique and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, this study examined the moderating effect of sports training on the relationship between physical characteristics, psychological factors, and athletic performance among Saudi Arabian athletes (PLS-SEM). Using a straightforward sampling technique, the study recruited 250 male and female athletes from various Saudi Arabian sports groups and organizations. The study outcomes indicated that sports training significantly moderated the relationship between physical attributes and athletic performance among Saudi Arabian athletes. The data also revealed that sports training mediated the association between psychological factors and athletic performance, indicating that regular sports training can augment the positive effect of psychological factors on athletic performance. This study contributes to the literature on the moderating influence of sports training on the association between physical and psychological characteristics and athletic performance among Saudi Arabian athletes. The findings indicate frequent sports training can boost physical fitness and mental resiliency, enhancing athletic performance. The study emphasizes the relevance of adding sports training to athlete development programs in Saudi Arabia. More studies are advised to investigate other variables that may influence the association between physical and psychological components and athletic performance in Saudi Arabian athletes

Synthetic Levers Enabling Control Of Phase, Size And Morphology In Transition Metal Phosphide Nanoparticles (fe, Ni)

ABSTRACT SYNTHETIC LEVERS ENABLING CONTROL OF PHASE, SIZE AND MORPHOLOGY IN TRANSITION METAL PHOSPHIDE NANOPARTICLES (FE, NI) by ELAYARAJA MUTHUSWAMY May 2011 Advisor:Dr. Stephanie L. Brock Major: Chemistry Degree: Doctor of Philosophy This dissertation study focuses on (1) development of a synthetic strategy to control phase in nanoscale iron phosphides; (2) extension of the developed phase control strategy to the nanoscale nickel phosphide system with simultaneous control on size and morphology and (3) illustration of the enhanced reactivity of nanoscale oxide systems. A synthetic strategy to control phase in nanoscale iron phosphides was developed to prepare phase-pure samples of Fe2P and FeP. The metal nanoparticle conversion strategy first reported by Schaak and coworkers was selected as a starting point to carry out a detailed study on the effect of various synthetic levers on the phase of the final product. Spherical Fe nanoparticles were prepared by the decomposition of Fe(CO)5 and were subsequently treated with tri-octylphosphine (TOP) at temperatures in the range 350-385 °C to convert the Fe nanoparticles into iron phosphide nanoparticles. Optimized conditions for Fe2P and FeP were arrived at by evaluating temperature, heating time, order of addition of reagents and quantity of `Fe\u27 and `P\u27 precursors. The intrinsic magnetic properties of the nanoscale phosphides were determined by magnetic susceptibility measurements and attest to the purity of the samples. The phase control strategy was successfully extended to the nickel phosphide system, resulting in the preparation of phase-pure samples of Ni12P5 and Ni2P. In addition, a handle on the size and morphology of both Ni12P5 and Ni2P was achieved by evaluating them as a function of precursor ratios and quantity of oleylamine. Thus, the ability to selectively prepare either Ni12P5 or Ni2P in a range of sizes from a few nanometers to 10\u27s of nanometers, and as either hollow or dense spheres, was achieved. In addition, transformations of metal-rich phosphides (Ni12P5) to more P-rich phosphides (Ni2P) were carried out with retention of morphology (hollow and dense) of the starting product, indicating that topotactic transformations are possible in these systems. The enhanced reactivity of oxide nanoparticle systems in their transformation to phosphides and sulfides was demonstrated by reactions with TOP and elemental sulfur, respectively. Oxide nanoparticles (NiO, Fe3O4, CoO and Mn3O4) were prepared by the oxidation of salts in a high boiling solvent/surfactant system under a slow and steady air flow. The completely oxidized nanoparticles (\u3c nm) were treated with TOP at elevated temperatures (≥350 °C) under inert conditions to convert them to phosphide phases. Successful transformation was achieved for NiO, Fe3O4 and CoO nanoparticles, generating phase-pure Ni2P, FeP and CoP, respectively. Intriguingly, the method does not work for Mn3O4 nanoparticles, or to bulk oxides (size ≥ 50 nm). Transformation of all oxide nanoparticles (including Mn3O4) into their corresponding sulfide phases is also demonstrated

NITRATION AND INACTIVATION OF MANGANESE SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN METABOLIC SWITCH

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial, progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disease. Oxidative stress hypothesis is most prevalent and is gaining significant support. Inspite of the progress achieved on oxidative stress related damages in AD brain; the modification occurring on the various cellular antioxidant enzymes antioxidant has not been identified. Tyrosine nitration, a marker for peroxynitrite induced oxidative damage to protein is widespread in AD brain and Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), primary mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme is prone to peroxynitrite induced nitration and inactivation. Nitration of proteins involved in energy metabolism has been demonstrated in AD brain, which may explain the altered glucose metabolic status existing in AD brain. In the present study, we investigated the effect of tyrosine nitration of MnSOD on energy metabolism by the use of AD mouse model and cultured neuronal cells. The AD mouse model was generated from a double homozygous knock-in mouse, designated as APP/PS-1 mice, by incorporating the Swedish familial AD mutations in APP and P264L familial AD mutation in PS – 1. These animals develop age dependent increase in Aβ deposition beginning at 6 months along with an increase in insoluble Aβ1-40/Aβ1-42 levels. Genotype and age associated increase in nitration of MnSOD without any change in protein levels was also observed. MnSOD activity and mitochondrial respiration was decreased in APP/PS-1 mice. There was also concomitant increase in levels of lactate, an index of glycolytic activity in APP/PS-1 mice. To directly investigate the role of MnSOD inactivation in mitochondrial function and subsequent alteration in glycolytic activity, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells line was used and treated with peroxynitrite. Enhanced nitration and reduction in the activity of MnSOD was observed upon peroxynitrite treatment. Peroxynitrite treatment also induced mitochondrial dysfunction, but MnSOD was inactivated at a concentration of peroxynitrite 10 times lower than that required to inhibit mitochondrial respiration. Mitochondrial dysfunction was alleviated by SOD mimetic and reproduced by MnSOD siRNA. The decline in mitochondrial function did not result in decreased ATP levels but was accompanied by an up-regulated glycolysis signified by high levels of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase activity but decreased activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase. These changes were prevented by SOD mimetic and were promoted by MnSOD siRNA. Specific reduction of MnSOD in MnSOD heterozygous knock-out mice resulted in decreased RCR and complex I activity with increased lactate levels. Taken together, these data demonstrate a critical role of MnSOD in influencing the mitochondrial function and thereby the switch in the energy metabolism switch that might occur under the pathological condition of MnSOD deficiency

A New Tumor Suppressor That Regulates Tissue Architecture

Pathologists use loss of normal tissue architecture as a key criterion to identify and categorize disease states. Epithelia in all glandular structures in vivo have a characteristic organization where they line a central lumen and are involved in absorptive and/or secretory functions. Under some physiological conditions—such as pregnancy, wound healing, and the periodic tissue remodeling that occurs in tissues such as colon—there is a significant increase in the rate of cell proliferation. Although the proliferation rate in these physiological conditions is higher than that seen under disease states, the overall tissue size and structure are maintained. Such maintenance of size/structure occurs because the increased proliferation is tightly coupled with tissue morphogenesis programs, resulting in remodeling of normal tissue architecture

Antibiotics to improve recovery following tonsillectomy: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if antibiotics improve recovery following tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched using relevant search terms. Additional trials, if any, were retrieved by searching the references from all identified trials, reviews, correspondences, editorials, and conference proceedings. No language restriction was applied. STUDY SELECTION: Systematic review of trials in which antibiotic was administered as a study medication intraoperatively and/or postoperatively, in children or adults undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. Only randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials attaining preset quality scores were included. Outcomes analyzed: 1) pain, need for analgesia, fever, halitosis, and return to normal diet and activities; 2) secondary hemorrhage using 2 parameters-significant hemorrhage (ie, warranting readmission, blood transfusion, or return to theatre for hemostasis) and total hemorrhage; and 3) adverse events. RESULTS: Five trials met the eligibility criteria. Antibiotics significantly reduced the number of subjects manifesting fever (relative risk [RR]: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45, 0.85) and duration of halitosis (-1.94 [-3.57, -0.30] days), and marginally reduced the time taken to resume normal activity (-0.63 [-1.12, -0.14] days), but had no significant effect in reducing pain scores (-0.01 [-0.60, 0.57]) or need for analgesia. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the time taken to resume normal diet or incidence of significant and total hemorrhage, although data was underpowered to detect differences for these outcomes. In the antibiotic group 4 patients developed an adverse reaction (3 cases of rash and 1 case of oropharyngeal candidiasis), while in the control group 1 patient had an adverse reaction (rash). The RR of antibiotic-related adverse events was 2.45 (0.45, 13.31). CONCLUSION: Antibiotics appear to be effective in reducing some, but not all, morbid outcomes following tonsillectomy, and may increase the risk of adverse events. Further trials are needed to better define the role of antibiotics in facilitating post-tonsillectomy recovery. EBM RATING: A-1a

Autocrine prolactin: an emerging market for homegrown (prolactin) despite the imports

Prolactin (PRL) is a peptide hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland and is known to regulate lactogenic differentiation. There is a significant body of evidence that points to autocrine production of prolactin and activation of an autocrine/paracrine signaling pathway to regulate cell proliferation and migration and inhibition of cell death. This perspective highlights the recent study in the October 1, 2012, issue of Genes & Development by Chen and colleagues (pp. 2154-2168) that describes a mechanism for autocrine prolactin production and places the finding in the context of a role for prolactin in breast development and cancer

The effect of rate of flow of cutting fluid (lubricants) on the cutting performance of the H.S.S. single point tools

This experiment is to study the effect of rate of flow of cutting fluid (lubricants) on the cutting performance of the single point H.S.S. tools. For various flow rates the cutting performance (tool wear, surface finish and the force required) was studied under the same cutting conditions and the results were compared

Green HRM practices and its impact on organizations : a correlational study

The study of green HRM, also known as green human resource management, is a relatively new HRM subfield that aims to promote environmentally responsible business practices. We assessed the validity of this hypothesis using empirical methods throughout the entirety of our investigation. We analyze a conceptual model that considers the effects of psychological green climate and individual green values by researching green HRM. Responses were gathered from 411 samples of the 440 employees in the food packaging industry. A hypothesis was tested based on green HRM and the belief that green behaviors on the job contribute to a green psychological climate in the workplace. Correlation analysis and research were conducted. The study's findings indicate that workers' environmental attitudes weaken the connection between workplace climate and employees' green behavior. According to the results, this was indeed the case. We hypothesized that employees of an organization with a green HRM would develop a more environmentally conscious mindset. According to the results of these studies, green human resource management impacts green workplace behavior; however, this influence manifests itself differently along social and psychological dimensions. The study's findings indicate that workers' environmental attitudes weaken the connection between workplace climate and employees' green behavior. According to the results, this was indeed the case. We hypothesized that employees of an organization with a green HRM would develop a more environmentally conscious mindset.Vimala Venugopal Muthuswamy (School of Business, Department of Management, King Faisal University)Includes bibliographical references

Freeway Origin Destination Matrices: Not as Simple as They Seem

Travel demand can be elegantly represented using an Origin-Destination (OD) matrix. The link counts observed on the network are produced by the underlying travel demand. One could use these counts to reconstruct the OD matrix. An offline approach to estimate a static OD matrix over the peak period for freeway sections using these counts is proposed in this research. Almost all the offline methods use linear models to approximate the relationship between the on-ramp and off-ramp counts. Previous work indicates that the use of a traffic flow model embedded in a search routine performs better than these linear models. In this research that approach is enhanced using a microscopic traffic simulator, AIMSUN, and a gradient based optimization routine, MINOS, interfaced to estimate an OD matrix. This approach is an application of the Prediction Error Minimization (PEM) method. The problem is non-linear and non-smooth, and the optimization routine finds multiple local minima, but cannot guarantee a global minima. However, with a number of starting seed matrices, an OD matrix with a good fit in terms of reproducing traffic counts can be estimated. The dominance of the mainline counts in the OD estimation and an identifiability issue is indicated from the experiments. The quality of the estimates improves as the specification error, introduced due to the discrepancy between the traffic flow model and the real world process that generates the on-ramp and off-ramp counts, reduces.travel demand, OD estimation, simulation, optimization