Program document for Energy Systems Optimization Program 2 (ESOP2). Volume 1: Engineering manual

The Energy Systems Optimization Program, which is used to provide analyses of Modular Integrated Utility Systems (MIUS), is discussed. Modifications to the input format to allow modular inputs in specified blocks of data are described. An optimization feature which enables the program to search automatically for the minimum value of one parameter while varying the value of other parameters is reported. New program option flags for prime mover analyses and solar energy for space heating and domestic hot water are also covered

Towards a model for measuring holistic performance of professional Football clubs

This paper introduces an experimental model to measure the holistic performance of professional football clubs. The model utilizes a selection of established financial and sporting indicators, which are weighted in accordance with their perceived relative importance and in relation to components of financial management and governing body regulations. The paper uses data pertaining to clubs competing in the English Premier League to demonstrate the outputs of the model. The authors argue that although the model is experimental, it still provides a useful platform to analyse performance of football clubs through further scientific investigation

Passion in the Workplace: Empirical Insights from Team Sport Organisations

Although sport management scholars have focused on a fairly wide number of psychologically-related constructs in the workplace, passion has not been part of this research agenda. The present study is the first attempt to fill this gap by exploring employees’ passion in the workplace setting of sport organisations. It does so by applying for the first time the dualistic model of passion developed by Vallerand et al. (2003), which measures two distinct types of passion: harmonious and obsessive. Online survey data were gathered from administrative employees in the United Kingdom’s football industry, responsible for either business-related functions or the clubs’ social agenda (N=236) in order to measure the passion experienced by individuals guided by different institutional logics. The particular instrument has two components: harmonious and obsessive passion towards the job. Besides the passion scales, the survey contained measures related to demographic variables (e.g., age, gender and education), to employment position in the organisation and to previous job experience. Data were statistically analysed in Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and analysis of variance, using SPSS and Amos 18.0. To determine the effect of contextual variables on the passion for the job, t-test and ANOVA were also used. Both groups of employees are passionate about their job. They remain harmoniously passionate throughout their career and show low level of obsessive passion. The type of work activities influences both levels of harmonious and obsessive passion experienced by personnel within sport organisations with employees responsible for the social agenda being slightly more harmoniously and obsessively passionate compared to those responsible for the business agenda. Vallerand et al.’s (2003) dualistic model of passion has been adapted to measure passion at workplace within sport organisations. The particular working environment that forms these organisations attracts and/or facilitates employees to experience a positive work–life balance

Antimicrobial actions of the human epididymis 2 (HE2) protein isoforms, HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2

BACKGROUND: The HE2 gene encodes a group of isoforms with similarities to the antimicrobial beta-defensins. We demonstrated earlier that the antimicrobial activity of HE2 proteins and peptides is salt resistant and structure dependent and involves permeabilization of bacterial membranes. In this study, we further characterize the antimicrobial properties of HE2 peptides in terms of the structural changes induced in E. coli and the inhibition of macromolecular synthesis. METHODS: E. coli treated with 50 micro g/ml of HE2alpha, HE2beta1 or HE2beta2 peptides for 30 and 60 min were visualized using transmission and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the impact of these peptides on bacterial internal and external structure. The effects of HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2 on E. coli macromolecular synthesis was assayed by incubating the bacteria with 2, 10 and 25 micro g/ml of the individual peptides for 0–60 min and measuring the incorporation of the radioactive precursors [methyl-(3)H]thymidine, [5-(3)H]uridine and L-[4,5-(3)H(N)]leucine into DNA, RNA and protein. Statistical analyses using Student's t-test were performed using Sigma Plot software. Values shown are Mean ± S.D. RESULTS: E. coli treated with HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2 peptides as visualized by transmission electron microscopy showed extensive damage characterized by membrane blebbing, thickening of the membrane, highly granulated cytoplasm and appearance of vacuoles in contrast to the smooth and continuous membrane structure of the untreated bacteria. Similarly, bacteria observed by scanning electron microscopy after treating with HE2alpha, HE2beta1 or HE2beta2 peptides exhibited membrane blebbing and wrinkling, leakage of cellular contents, especially at the dividing septa, and external accumulation of fibrous materials. In addition, HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2 peptides inhibited E. coli DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological changes observed in E. coli treated with epididymal HE2 peptides provide further evidence for their membrane dependent mechanism of antibacterial action. HE2 C-terminal peptides can inhibit E. coli macromolecular synthesis, suggesting an additional mechanism of bacterial killing supplementary to membrane permeabilization

Estimates of Ionospheric Transport and Ion Loss at Mars

Ion loss from the topside ionosphere of Mars associated with the solar wind interaction makes an important contribution to the loss of volatiles from this planet. Data from NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission combined with theoretical modeling are now helping us to understand the processes involved in the ion loss process. Given the complexity of the solar wind interaction, motivation exists for considering a simple approach to this problem and for understanding how the loss rates might scale with solar wind conditions and solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance. This paper reviews the processes involved in the ionospheric dynamics. Simple analytical and semiempirical expressions for ion flow speeds and ion loss are derived. In agreement with more sophisticated models and with purely empirical studies, it is found that the oxygen loss rate from ion transport is about 5% (i.e., global O ion loss rate of Qion ≈ 4 × 1024 s−1) of the total oxygen loss rate. The ion loss is found to approximately scale as the square root of the solar ionizing photon flux and also as the square root of the solar wind dynamic pressure. Typical ion flow speeds are found to be about 1 km/s in the topside ionosphere near an altitude of 300 km on the dayside. Not surprisingly, the plasma flow speed is found to increase with altitude due to the decreasing ion‐neutral collision frequency.Key PointsOxygen ion loss from the ionosphere of Mars is mainly driven by magnetic forces generated by the solar wind interactionGlobal ion loss from Mars scales approximately as the square root of both the upstream solar wind pressure and solar ionizing photon fluxIon flow speeds in the ionosphere increase with altitude and with solar wind pressurePeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140009/1/jgra53859.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140009/2/jgra53859_am.pd

Estimates of Ionospheric Transport and Ion Loss at Mars

Ion loss from the topside ionosphere of Mars associated with the solar wind interaction makes an important contribution to the loss of volatiles from this planet. Data from NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission combined with theoretical modeling are now helping us to understand the processes involved in the ion loss process. Given the complexity of the solar wind interaction, motivation exists for considering a simple approach to this problem and for understanding how the loss rates might scale with solar wind conditions and solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance. This paper reviews the processes involved in the ionospheric dynamics. Simple analytical and semiempirical expressions for ion flow speeds and ion loss are derived. In agreement with more sophisticated models and with purely empirical studies, it is found that the oxygen loss rate from ion transport is about 5% (i.e., global O ion loss rate of Qion ≈ 4 × 1024 s−1) of the total oxygen loss rate. The ion loss is found to approximately scale as the square root of the solar ionizing photon flux and also as the square root of the solar wind dynamic pressure. Typical ion flow speeds are found to be about 1 km/s in the topside ionosphere near an altitude of 300 km on the dayside. Not surprisingly, the plasma flow speed is found to increase with altitude due to the decreasing ion‐neutral collision frequency

Antibacterial properties of the sperm-binding proteins and peptides of human epididymis 2 (HE2) family; salt sensitivity, structural dependence and their interaction with outer and cytoplasmic membranes of Escherichia coli

During passage through the epididymis, sperm interact with secreted epididymal proteins that promote maturation, including the acquisition of motility and fertilization competence. Viewed previously as distinct from sperm maturation, host defence capabilities are now recognized functions of the human epididymis 2 (HE2) family of sperm-binding proteins. We analysed the potent dose and time-dependent bactericidal activity of recombinant HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2 and found that the full-length proteins (10 microg/ml or approximately 1 microM) caused more than a 50% decrease in Escherichia coli colony forming units within 15 min. By contrast, human beta-defensin-1, at a similar concentration, required more than 90 min to exhibit similar antibacterial activity. The epididymis-specific lipocalin, LCN6, failed to kill bacteria. Higher concentrations (25-100 microg/ml) of HE2 proteins and a longer duration of treatment resulted in near total inhibition of bacterial growth. The C-terminal peptides of HE2alpha, HEbeta1 and HEbeta2 proteins exhibited antibacterial activity similar to their full-length counterparts, indicating that the antibacterial activity of HE2 proteins resides in these C-terminal regions. Antibacterial activities of HE2 proteins and peptides were slightly inhibited by NaCl concentrations of up to 150 mM, while human beta-defensin-1 activity was nearly eliminated. Reduction and alkylation of disulphide bonds in HE2 proteins and their C-terminal peptides abolished their antibacterial activity. Consistent with the ability to kill bacteria, full-length HE2 proteins and C-terminal peptides caused rapid dose-dependent permeabilization of outer and cytoplasmic E. coli membranes. A much longer exposure time was required for human beta-defensin-1-mediated permeabilization of membranes, suggesting a possible difference in mode of action compared with the HE2 antibacterial peptides

Growth and energy and protein intake of preterm newborns in the first year of gestation-corrected age

CONTEXT: There are few longitudinal studies that analyze the growth and nutritional status parameters of children born prematurely. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the growth and dietary intake of preterm newborns in the first year of gestation-corrected age. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: 19 children (7 male) who were born prematurely, with birth weight between 1000g and 2000g, which was adequate for the gestational age. PROCEDURES: At 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of gestation-corrected age, children were evaluated in relation to weight, height and cephalic perimeter, using the National Center for Health Statistics as the standard reference, and the Rozalez-Lopez and Frisancho standards for brachial perimeter and triceps and subscapular skinfolds. The calculated dietary intake was compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The Z score was calculated for the weight/age, height/age and weight/height relationships, and the percentiles of the perimeters and skinfolds were considered. Dietary intake records were made using the 24-hour Dietary Recall and the Food Frequency Intake Questionnaire methods. The Virtual Nutri software was used to calculate energy and protein intake. RESULTS: The weight/age, height/age and weight/height relationships and the brachial perimeter and triceps skinfold were statistically greater in the first semester in relation to the second. The cephalic perimeter remained above the 50th percentile for the ages studied and there was no difference in the subscapular skinfold between the first and second semesters, remaining below the 50th percentile. The calorie and protein intake, although statistically lower in the first than in the second semester, always remained above the recommended. CONCLUSIONS: The pace of growth is greater in the first semester than in the second, not reaching the standard expected for full-term newborns, with the exception of the cephalic perimeter, which remains adequate. Calorie/protein intake shows an inverse relationship with growth speed, remaining above the recommended for full-term newborns, although with difficulty in depositing subcutaneous fat, in spite of the high caloric intake.CONTEXTO: Atualmente há estudos longitudinais limitados que definem parâmetros de crescimento e estado nutricional de crianças nascidas prematuras. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o crescimento e a ingestão dietética em recém-nascidos pré-termo no primeiro ano de idade corrigida. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Estudo clínico prospectivo. LOCAL: Hospital de cuidados terciários. PACIENTES: 19 crianças (sete do sexo masculino) nascidas prematuras, adequadas para a idade gestacional, com peso de nascimento entre 1.000 g e 2.000 g, acompanhadas aos 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de idade corrigida. PROCEDIMENTOS: Aos 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de idade corrigida, as crianças foram avaliadas quanto ao peso, estatura e perímetros utilizando-se, como padrão de referência, o National Center of Health Statistics e quanto à circunferência braquial e às dobras cutâneas triciptal e subescapular, utilizando-se o padrão de Ronalez-Lopez e de Frisancho. A ingestão dietética calculada foi comparada às Recommended Dietary Allowances. RESULTADOS: As relações peso/idade, estatura/idade, peso/estatura, circunferência braquial e dobra cutânea do tríceps foram estatisticamente maiores no primeiro semestre em relação ao segundo. O perímetro cefálico manteve-se acima do percentil 50 nas idades estudadas e a dobra cutânea subescapular não mostrou diferença entre o primeiro e o segundo semestres, mantendo-se abaixo do percentil 50. A ingestão de calorias e proteínas, apesar de estatisticamente menor no primeiro do que no segundo semestre, permaneceu sempre maior do que o recomendado. CONCLUSÕES: O ritmo de crescimento mostra maior velocidade no primeiro semestre do que no segundo, não atingindo o padrão esperado para os recém-nascidos a termo, com exceção do perímetro cefálico, que se mantém adequado. A ingestão de calorias/proteínas mostra relação inversa com o ritmo de crescimento, permanecendo acima do recomendado para nascidos a termo, havendo, porém, dificuldade de deposição de gordura subcutânea, apesar da alta ingestão calórica.Universidade PaulistaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Identification, cloning and functional characterization of novel sperm associated antigen 11 (SPAG11) isoforms in the rat

BACKGROUND: Sperm binding proteins and their C-terminal peptides of the Sperm Associated Antigen 11 (SPAG11) family were found to play an important role in epididymal innate immunity in addition to their role in sperm maturation. However, the expression of Spag11 transcripts in rodents is not well documented. METHODS: Computational analysis was employed to identify novel Spag11 isoforms in the rat. RT-PCR analyses were carried out on RNAs isolated from the male reproductive tract tissues of rat using gene specific primers for Spag11c and Spag11t. The identities of PCR products were confirmed by sequencing. Tissue distribution, developmental expression and androgen regulation of Spag11t and Spag11c were studied using RT-PCR. The antimicrobial activities of recombinant Spag11t and Spag11c were tested against E coli in a colony forming unit assay. RESULTS: In this study, we identified two novel Spag11 transcripts, namely, Spag11t and Spag11c derived from the long arm of chromosome 16 in the rat (Rattus norvegicus), using both in silico and molecular biology approaches. Spag11c is expressed in all three regions of the epididymis, in testis and in ovary but is absent from the seminal vesicle. Spag11t expression is confined to the caput and it is not expressed in the testis, seminal vesicle or ovary. Age dependent expression of Spag11t and Spag11c was observed in the epididymides of rats (10–60 day old). Their expression was found to be most abundant in the adult rat (60 day) suggesting roles in mature reproductive function. Further, both Spag11t and Spag11c expression was down regulated in castrated rat epididymides and the expression was maintained in the testosterone replaced castrated rats. SPAG11C is a potent antibacterial agent. SPAG11T also displayed bactericidal capacity although weaker than SPAG11C and SPAG11E. CONCLUSION: The abundant expression of Spag11t and Spag11c in the male reproductive tract suggests an important role in male reproductive tract immunity. Their expression is developmentally regulated and androgen dependent. Characterization of novel SPAG11 isoforms will contribute to our understanding of the role of epididymal proteins in sperm maturation and innate immunity