Determination of the distance between two spin labels attached to a macromolecule.

An EPR "spectroscopic ruler" was developed using a series of alpha-helical polypeptides, each modified with two nitroxide spin labels. The EPR line broadening due to electron-electron dipolar interactions in the frozen state was determined using the Fourier deconvolution method. These dipolar spectra were then used to estimate the distances between the two nitroxides separated by 8-25 A. Results agreed well with a simple alpha-helical model. The standard deviation from the model system was 0.9 A in the range of 8-25 A. This technique is applicable to complex systems such as membrane receptors and channels, which are difficult to access with high-resolution NMR or x-ray crystallography, and is expected to be particularly useful for systems for which optical methods are hampered by the presence of light-interfering membranes or chromophores.

Forças, momentos e coeficiente de atrito em teste de três pontos e em teste de resistência ao deslizamento com braquetes autoligáveis e fios 0.014\" utilizando um novo dispositivo

O objetivo principal do estudo é comparar o teste em 3 pontos com braquetes com o teste de resistência ao deslizamento utilizando um novo dispositivo que realiza a mensuração simultânea do coeficiente de atrito, das forças e dos momentos nos braquetes de ancoragem e da força de desativação no braquete desalinhado, exercidos por fios ortodônticos. Os objetivos secundários foram desenvolver o dispositivo e comparar, no teste em 3 pontos: (i) a influência, nas grandezas e no coeficiente de atrito cinético, da variação da simetria nas distâncias inter-braquetes, do tipo de braquete de ancoragem (canino ou 2º pré-molar), do deslocamento (3 ou 5mm) do braquete central, do sentido do desalinhamento (vestibular ou lingual) do braquete central e da marca de fio-braquete; (ii) as 3 formas de cálculo do coeficiente de atrito cinético; (iii) os 10 ciclos, para vestibular ou lingual, para verificar se eles são semelhantes ou não entre si. Foram utilizados braquetes autoligáveis (dentes 13, 14 e 15) e fios 0.014\'\' NiTi e CuNiTi das marcas Aditek e Ormco. O teste de resistência ao deslizamento foi realizado no desalinhamento lingual, nos dois deslocamentos e na configuração simétrica. O teste em 3 pontos com braquetes foi realizado no desalinhamento lingual e vestibular, nos dois deslocamentos e na configuração simétrica e assimétrica. Por meio da ANOVA, foram comparados, entre os dois tipos de teste: (A) as grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito e (B) o coeficiente de atrito gerado apenas no braquete de 2º pré-molar. Utilizando-se do mesmo teste estatístico foram comparados, no teste em 3 pontos com braquetes: (A) na configuração simétrica, algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito advindos da variação da marca de fio-braquete, do deslocamento, do desalinhamento e do tipo de braquete; (B) algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito gerados na configuração simétrica e assimétrica; (C) os valores das 3 formas de cálculo do coeficiente de atrito na configuração simétrica; e (D) algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito encontrados nos 10 ciclos. Resultados: (A) a maioria dos valores das grandezas e do coeficiente de atrito gerados pelos dois tipos de teste foram diferentes estatisticamente; (B) o braquete de 2º pré-molar apresentou valores de coeficiente de atrito diferentes entre os dois tipos de teste; (C) na configuração simétrica, as variáveis foram estatisticamente significantes na maioria dos casos para as grandezas analisadas e para o coeficiente de atrito; (D) houve diferença entre a configuração simétrica e assimétrica; (E) o coeficiente de atrito baseado nas duas normais e na força de atrito se aproximou mais da realidade clínica e foi sensível à variação da geometria da relação fio-braquete; e (F) os 10 ciclos para lingual foram semelhantes entre si em 70% dos casos e os 10 ciclos para vestibular foram diferentes em 57% dos casos. Conclusões: o teste em 3 pontos com braquetes é diferente do teste de resistência ao deslizamento; a variação das configurações geométricas e da marca de fio-braquete pode influenciar nos valores das grandezas e do coeficiente de atrito cinético; os 10 ciclos para lingual foram mais semelhantes entre si que os 10 ciclos para vestibular.

Comparison of Couples' Normal Life Cycle Development and Intimacy Distance Regulation

When conceptualizing healthy couple relationships, it is tempting to use a simple framework as a panacea. Unfortunately, this desire for simplicity can lead to a narrow and naive perspective. Individuals interact and are influenced by a variety of factors (i.e., various social systems, multiple context memberships, complex interconnecting exchanges, etc.); consequently, it is necessary to guard against an overly narrow interpretation when examining healthy couple interactions. It is the purpose of this paper to develop one aspect of a complex perspective for healthy couple relationships by comparing couple life cycle development with couple intimacy-distance regulation.

On the development of advanced techniques for mixed-elastohydrodynamic lubrification modelling of journal and sliding bearing systems.

The present thesis is focused on the development of a thorough mathematical modelling and computational solution framework aimed at the numerical simulation of journal and sliding bearing systems operating under a wide range of lubrication regimes (mixed, elastohydrodynamic and full film lubrication regimes) and working conditions (static, quasi-static and transient conditions). The fluid flow effects have been considered in terms of the Isothermal Generalized Equation of the Mechanics of the Viscous Thin Films (Reynolds equation), along with the massconserving p-Ø Elrod-Adams cavitation model that accordingly ensures the so-called JFO complementary boundary conditions for fluid film rupture. The variation of the lubricant rheological properties due to the viscous-pressure (Barus and Roelands equations), viscous-shear-thinning (Eyring and Carreau-Yasuda equations) and density-pressure (Dowson-Higginson equation) relationships have also been taken into account in the overall modelling. Generic models have been derived for the aforementioned bearing components in order to enable their applications in general multibody dynamic systems (MDS), and by including the effects of angular misalignments, superficial geometric defects (form/waviness deviations, EHL deformations, etc.) and axial motion. The bearing exibility (conformal EHL) has been incorporated by means of FEM model reduction (or condensation) techniques. The macroscopic in fluence of the mixedlubrication phenomena have been included into the modelling by the stochastic Patir and Cheng average ow model and the Greenwood-Williamson/Greenwood-Tripp formulations for rough contacts. Furthermore, a deterministic mixed-lubrication model with inter-asperity cavitation has also been proposed for full-scale simulations in the microscopic (roughness) level. According to the extensive mathematical modelling background established, three significant contributions have been accomplished. Firstly, a general numerical solution for the Reynolds lubrication equation with the mass-conserving p - Ø cavitation model has been developed based on the hybridtype Element-Based Finite Volume Method (EbFVM). This new solution scheme allows solving lubrication problems with complex geometries to be discretized by unstructured grids. The numerical method was validated in agreement with several example cases from the literature, and further used in numerical experiments to explore its exibility in coping with irregular meshes for reducing the number of nodes required in the solution of textured sliding bearings. Secondly, novel robust partitioned techniques, namely: Fixed Point Gauss-Seidel Method (PGMF), Point Gauss-Seidel Method with Aitken Acceleration (PGMA) and Interface Quasi-Newton Method with Inverse Jacobian from Least-Squares approximation (IQN-ILS), commonly adopted for solving uid-structure interaction problems have been introduced in the context of tribological simulations, particularly for the coupled calculation of dynamic conformal EHL contacts. The performance of such partitioned methods was evaluated according to simulations of dynamically loaded connecting-rod big-end bearings of both heavy-duty and high-speed engines. Finally, the proposed deterministic mixed-lubrication modelling was applied to investigate the in fluence of the cylinder liner wear after a 100h dynamometer engine test on the hydrodynamic pressure generation and friction of Twin-Land Oil Control Rings.

Distance Education and the Evolution of Online Learning in the United States

Online education is no longer a trend, rather it is mainstream. In the Fall of 2012, 69.1% of chief academic leaders indicated online learning was critical to their long-term strategy and of the 20.6 million students enrolled in higher education, 6.7 million were enrolled in an online course (Allen & Seaman, 2013; United States Department of Education, 2013). The advent of online education and its rapid growth has forced academic institutions and faculty to question the current styles and techniques for teaching and learning. As developments in educational technology continue to advance, the ways in which we deliver and receive knowledge in both the traditional and online classrooms will further evolve. It is necessary to investigate and understand the progression and advancements in educational technology and the variety of methods used to deliver knowledge to improve the quality of education we provide today and motivate, inspire, and educate the students of the 21st century. This paper explores the atioevolution of distance education beginning with correspondence and the use of parcel post, to radio, then to television, and finally to online education.