bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-Dimensional Performance Prediction of Subsonic Vaned Diffusers
Authors: Ribi Beat , Dalbert Peter
Published: December 2014

A simple 1-d-theory to predict the performance of a diffuser using as few empirical factors as possible is presented. The prediction method uses two empirical functions to assess both the pressure recovery and the losses. The functions have been calibrated from experimental data from the company’s standard diffusers. The method is, however, adaptable for any type of subsonic vaned diffusers provided that the empirical functions can be calibrated from measurements.

The pressure rise in the diffuser is calculated from the continuity equation taking into account the blockage, while the losses are determined by means of displacement and momentum thickness. These values are calculated at design point from an integral boundary layer calculation. To take into account the influence of flow separation at off-design the calculated displacement and momentum thickness are increased according to empirical functions.

When designing a new impeller the method provides a simple way to evaluate the diffuser resulting in the best combination in terms of efficiency and range. It further provides a simple means of estimating the change to be expected in a known stage performance characteristic due to a modification of the diffuser geometry.
Constrained Shape Optimization of Airfoil Cascades Using a Navier-Stokes Solver and a Genetic/SQP Algorithm
Authors: Dennis Brian H. , Dulikravich George S. , Han Zhen-Xue
Published: December 2014

The objective in this aerodynamic shape design effort is to minimize total pressure loss across the two-dimensional linear airfoil cascade row while satisfying a number of constraints. They included fixed axial chord, total torque, inlet and exit flow angles, and blade cross-section area, while maintaining thickness distribution greater than a minimum specified value. The aerodynamic shape optimization can be performed by using any available flow-field analysis code. For the analysis of the performance of intermediate cascade shapes we used an unstructured grid based compressible Navier-Stokes flow-field analysis code with k-e turbulence model. A robust genetic optimization algorithm was used for optimization and a constrained sequential quadratic programming was used enforcement of certain constraints. The airfoil geometry was parameterized using conic section parameters and B-splines thus keeping the number of geometric design variables to a minimum while achieving a high degree of geometric flexibility and robustness. Significant reductions of the total pressure loss were achieved using this constrained method for a supersonic exit flow axial turbine cascade.
A systems-wide screen identifies substrates of the SCF
βTrCP
ubiquitin ligase
Authors: Low Teck Yew , Peng Mao , Magliozzi Roberto , Mohammed Shabaz , Guardavaccaro Daniele , R. Heck Albert J.
Published: December 2014

A proteomic and bioinformatic approach provides a method for identifying substrates and regulators of ubiquitin E3 ligases.
AbuO, a TolC-Like Outer Membrane Protein of Acinetobacter baumannii, Is Involved in Antimicrobial and Oxidative Stress Resistance
Authors: Srinivasan Vijaya Bharathi , Vaidyanathan Vasanth , Rajamohan Govindan
Published: December 2014

Although
Acinetobacter baumannii
is well accepted as a nosocomial pathogen, only a few of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) have been functionally characterized. In this study, we demonstrate the biological functions of AbuO, a homolog of TolC from
Escherichia coli
. Inactivation of
abuO
led to increased sensitivity to high osmolarity and oxidative stress challenge. The Δ
abuO
mutant displayed increased susceptibility to antibiotics, such as amikacin, carbenicillin, ceftriaxone, meropenem, streptomycin, and tigecycline, and hospital-based disinfectants, such as benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine. The reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis indicated increased expression of efflux pumps (resistance nodulation cell division [RND] efflux pump
acrD
, 8-fold; SMR-type
emrE
homolog, 12-fold; and major facilitator superfamily [MFS]-type
ampG
homolog, 2.7-fold) and two-component response regulators (
baeR
, 4.67-fold;
ompR
, 10.43-fold) in the Δ
abuO
mutant together with downregulation of
rstA
(4.22-fold) and the pilin chaperone (9-fold). The isogenic mutant displayed lower virulence in a nematode model (
P
< 0.01). Experimental evidence for the binding of MerR-type transcriptional regulator SoxR to radiolabeled
abuO
promoter suggests regulation of
abuO
by SoxR in
A. baumannii
.
Identification of a New Amide-Containing Thiazole as a Drug Candidate for Treatment of Chagas' Disease
Authors: Álvarez Guzmán , Varela Javier , Cruces Eugenia , Fernández Marcelo , Gabay Martín , Leal Sandra M. , Escobar Patricia , Sanabria Luis , Serna Elva , Torres Susana , Figueredo Thiel Susy J. , Yaluff Gloria , Vera de Bilbao Ninfa I. , Cerecetto Hugo , González Mercedes
Published: December 2014

Although the parasitic infection Chagas' disease was described over 100 years ago, even now there are not suitable drugs. The available drugs nifurtimox and benznidazole have limited efficacies and tolerances, with proven mutagenic effects. Attempting to find appropriate drugs to deal with this problem, here we report on the development and pharmacological characterization of new amide-containing thiazoles. In the present study, we evaluated the
in vitro
and
in vivo
effects of new candidates against
Trypanosoma cruzi
, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease. The lead amide-containing thiazole derivative had potent
in vitro
activity, an absence of both
in vitro
mutagenic and
in vivo
clastogenic effects, and excellent
in vitro
selectivity and
in vivo
tolerance. The compound suppressed parasitemia in mice, modifying the anti-
T. cruzi
antibodies like the reference drug, benznidazole, and displayed the lowest mortality among the tested drugs. The present evidence suggests that this compound is a promising anti-
T. cruzi
agent surpassing the lead optimization stage in drug development and leading to a candidate for preclinical study.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety Study of Posaconazole Intravenous Solution Administered Peripherally to Healthy Subjects
Authors: Kersemaekers Wendy M. , van Iersel Thijs , Nassander Ulla , O'Mara Edward , Waskin Hetty , Caceres Maria , van Iersel Marlou L. P. S.
Published: December 2014

This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a posaconazole i.v. (intravenous) solution. This was a single-center, 2-part, randomized, rising single- and multiple-dose study in healthy adults. In part 1, subjects received 0 (vehicle), 50, 100, 200, 250, or 300 mg posaconazole in a single dose i.v. by 30-min peripheral infusion (6 cohorts of 12 subjects each [9 active and 3 placebo], making a total of 72 subjects). Blood samples were collected until 168 h postdose. In part 2, subjects were to receive 2 peripheral infusions at a 12-h interval on day 1 followed by once-daily infusion for 9 days. However, part 2 was terminated early because of high rates of infusion site reactions with multiple dosing at the same infusion site. The pharmacokinetics results for part 1 (
n
= 45 subjects) showed that the mean posaconazole exposure (area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity [AUC
0–∞
]) ranged from 4,890 to 46,400 ng · h/ml (range of coefficient of variation values, 26 to 50). The dose-proportionality slope estimate (90% confidence interval) for AUC
0–∞
was 1.30 (1.19 to 1.41), indicating a greater-than-dose-proportional increase. The data for safety in part 1 show that 29/72 subjects had ≥1 adverse event. Infusion site reactions were reported in 2/9 vehicle subjects, 0/18 placebo subjects, and 7/45 i.v. posaconazole subjects. The data for safety in part 2 show that infusion site reactions were reported in 1/4 (25%) placebo subjects, 3/9 (33%) vehicle control subjects, and 4/5 (80%) i.v. posaconazole (100 mg) subjects (3 posaconazole recipients subsequently developed thrombophlebitis and were discontinued from treatment). In conclusion, the posaconazole i.v. solution showed a greater-than-dose-proportional increase in exposure, primarily at doses below 200 mg. When administered peripherally at the same infusion site, multiple dosing of i.v. posaconazole led to unacceptably high rates of infusion site reactions. Intravenous posaconazole was otherwise well tolerated. Single doses of i.v. posaconazole were tolerated when given through a peripheral vein over 30 min.
STING Agonists Induce an Innate Antiviral Immune Response against Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Guo Fang , Han Yanxing , Zhao Xuesen , Wang Jianghua , Liu Fei , Xu Chunxiao , Wei Lai , Jiang Jian-Dong , Block Timothy M. , Guo Ju-Tao , Chang Jinhong
Published: December 2014

Chronicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is due to the failure of a host to mount a sufficient immune response to clear the virus. The aim of this study was to identify small-molecular agonists of the pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-mediated innate immune response to control HBV infection. To achieve this goal, a coupled mouse macrophage and hepatocyte culture system mimicking the intrahepatic environment was established and used to screen small-molecular compounds that activate macrophages to produce cytokines, which in turn suppress HBV replication in a hepatocyte-derived stable cell line supporting HBV replication in a tetracycline-inducible manner. An agonist of the mouse stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING), 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), was found to induce a robust cytokine response in macrophages that efficiently suppressed HBV replication in mouse hepatocytes by reducing the amount of cytoplasmic viral nucleocapsids. Profiling of cytokines induced by DMXAA and agonists of representative Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in mouse macrophages revealed that, unlike TLR agonists that induced a predominant inflammatory cytokine/chemokine response, the STING agonist induced a cytokine response dominated by type I IFNs. Moreover, as demonstrated in an HBV hydrodynamic mouse model, intraperitoneal administration of DMXAA significantly induced the expression of IFN-stimulated genes and reduced HBV DNA replication intermediates in the livers of mice. This study thus proves the concept that activation of the STING pathway induces an antiviral cytokine response against HBV and that the development of small-molecular human STING agonists as immunotherapeutic agents for treatment of chronic hepatitis B is warranted.
Synergistic Activity of Chloroquine with Fluconazole against Fluconazole-Resistant Isolates of Candida Species
Authors: Li Yali , Wan Zhe , Liu Wei , Li Ruoyu
Published: December 2014

The
in vitro
activity of chloroquine and the interactions of chloroquine combined with fluconazole against 37
Candida
isolates were tested using the broth microdilution, disk diffusion, and Etest susceptibility tests. Synergistic effect was detected with 6 of 9 fluconazole-resistant
Candida albicans
isolates, with
Candida krusei
ATCC 6258, and with all 12 fluconazole-resistant
Candida tropicalis
isolates.
Vancomycin-Variable Enterococci Can Give Rise to Constitutive Resistance during Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: Thaker Maulik N. , Kalan Lindsay , Waglechner Nicholas , Eshaghi Alireza , Patel Samir N. , Poutanen Susan , Willey Barbara , Coburn Bryan , McGeer Allison , Low Donald E. , Wright Gerard D.
Published: December 2014

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are notorious clinical pathogens restricting the use of glycopeptide antibiotics in the clinic setting. Routine surveillance to detect VRE isolated from patients relies on PCR bioassays and chromogenic agar-based test methods. In recent years, we and others have reported the emergence of enterococcal strains harboring a “silent” copy of vancomycin resistance genes that confer a vancomycin-susceptible phenotype (vancomycin-susceptible enterococci [VSE]) and thus escape detection using drug sensitivity screening tests. Alarmingly, these strains are able to convert to a resistance phenotype (VSE→VRE) during antibiotic treatment, severely compromising the success of therapy. Such strains have been termed vancomycin-variable enterococci (VVE). We have investigated the molecular mechanisms leading to the restoration of resistance in VVE isolates through the whole-genome sequencing of resistant isolates, measurement of resistance gene expression, and quantification of the accumulation of drug-resistant peptidoglycan precursors. The results demonstrate that VVE strains can revert to a VRE phenotype through the constitutive expression of the vancomycin resistance cassette. This is accomplished through a variety of changes in the DNA region upstream of the resistance genes that includes both a deletion of a likely transcription inhibitory secondary structure and the introduction of a new unregulated promoter. The VSE→VRE transition of VVE can occur in patients during the course of antibiotic therapy, resulting in treatment failure. These VVE strains therefore pose a new challenge to the current regimen of diagnostic tests used for VRE detection in the clinic setting.
The
prrF
-Encoded Small Regulatory RNAs Are Required for Iron Homeostasis and Virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Reinhart Alexandria A. , Powell Daniel A. , Nguyen Angela T. , O'Neill Maura , Djapgne Louise , Wilks Angela , Ernst Robert K. , Oglesby-Sherrouse Amanda G.
Published: December 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic pathogen that requires iron to cause infection, but it also must regulate the uptake of iron to avoid iron toxicity. The iron-responsive PrrF1 and PrrF2 small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are part of
P. aeruginosa's
iron regulatory network and affect the expression of at least 50 genes encoding iron-containing proteins. The genes encoding the PrrF1 and PrrF2 sRNAs are encoded in tandem in
P. aeruginosa
, allowing for the expression of a distinct, heme-responsive sRNA named PrrH that appears to regulate genes involved in heme metabolism. Using a combination of growth, mass spectrometry, and gene expression analysis, we showed that the Δ
prrF1
,
2
mutant, which lacks expression of the PrrF and PrrH sRNAs, is defective for both iron and heme homeostasis. We also identified
phuS
, encoding a heme binding protein involved in heme acquisition, and
vreR
, encoding a previously identified regulator of
P. aeruginosa
virulence genes, as novel targets of
prrF
-mediated heme regulation. Finally, we showed that the
prrF
locus encoding the PrrF and PrrH sRNAs is required for
P. aeruginosa
virulence in a murine model of acute lung infection. Moreover, we showed that inoculation with a Δ
prrF1,2
deletion mutant protects against future challenge with wild-type
P. aeruginosa
. Combined, these data demonstrate that the
prrF
-encoded sRNAs are critical regulators of
P. aeruginosa
virulence.
The Identification and Functional Characterization of WxL Proteins from Enterococcus faecium Reveal Surface Proteins Involved in Extracellular Matrix Interactions
Authors: Galloway-Peña Jessica R. , Liang Xiaowen , Singh Kavindra V. , Yadav Puja , Chang Chungyu , La Rosa Sabina Leanti , Shelburne Samuel , Ton-That Hung , Höök Magnus , Murray Barbara E.
Published: December 2014

The WxL domain recently has been identified as a novel cell wall binding domain found in numerous predicted proteins within multiple Gram-positive bacterial species. However, little is known about the function of proteins containing this novel domain. Here, we identify and characterize 6
Enterococcus faecium
proteins containing the WxL domain which, by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and genomic analyses, are located in three similarly organized operons, deemed WxL loci A, B, and C. Western blotting, electron microscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) determined that genes of WxL loci A and C encode antigenic, cell surface proteins exposed at higher levels in clinical isolates than in commensal isolates. Secondary structural analyses of locus A recombinant WxL domain-containing proteins found they are rich in β-sheet structure and disordered segments. Using Biacore analyses, we discovered that recombinant WxL proteins from locus A bind human extracellular matrix proteins, specifically type I collagen and fibronectin. Proteins encoded by locus A also were found to bind to each other, suggesting a novel cell surface complex. Furthermore, bile salt survival assays and animal models using a mutant from which all three WxL loci were deleted revealed the involvement of WxL operons in bile salt stress and endocarditis pathogenesis. In summary, these studies extend our understanding of proteins containing the WxL domain and their potential impact on colonization and virulence in
E. faecium
and possibly other Gram-positive bacterial species.
Variations in O-Antigen Biosynthesis and O-Acetylation Associated with Altered Phage Sensitivity in Escherichia coli 4s
Authors: Knirel Yuriy A. , Prokhorov Nikolai S. , Shashkov Alexander S. , Ovchinnikova Olga G. , Zdorovenko Evelina L. , Liu Bin , Kostryukova Elena S. , Larin Andrey K. , Golomidova Alla K. , Letarov Andrey V.
Published: December 2014

The O polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide (O antigen) of Gram-negative bacteria often serves as a receptor for bacteriophages that can make the phage dependent on a given O-antigen type, thus supporting the concept of the adaptive significance of the O-antigen variability in bacteria. The O-antigen layer also modulates interactions of many bacteriophages with their hosts, limiting the access of the viruses to other cell surface receptors. Here we report variations of O-antigen synthesis and structure in an environmental
Escherichia coli
isolate, 4s, obtained from horse feces, and its mutants selected for resistance to bacteriophage G7C, isolated from the same fecal sample. The 4s O antigen was found to be serologically, structurally, and genetically related to the O antigen of
E. coli
O22, differing only in side-chain α-
d
-glucosylation in the former, mediated by a
gtr
locus on the chromosome. Spontaneous mutations of
E. coli
4s occurring with an unusually high frequency affected either O-antigen synthesis or O-acetylation due to the inactivation of the gene encoding the putative glycosyltransferase WclH or the putative acetyltransferase WclK, respectively, by the insertion of IS
1
-like elements. These mutations induced resistance to bacteriophage G7C and also modified interactions of
E. coli
4s with several other bacteriophages conferring either resistance or sensitivity to the host. These findings suggest that O-antigen synthesis and O-acetylation can both ensure the specific recognition of the O-antigen receptor following infection by some phages and provide protection of the host cells against attack by other phages.
Resuscitation-Promoting Factors Are Cell Wall-Lytic Enzymes with Important Roles in the Germination and Growth of Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Sexton Danielle L. , St-Onge Renée J. , Haiser Henry J. , Yousef Mary R. , Brady Lauren , Gao Chan , Leonard Jacqueline , Elliot Marie A.
Published: December 2014

Dormancy is a common strategy adopted by bacterial cells as a means of surviving adverse environmental conditions. ForStreptomycesbacteria, this involves developing chains of dormant exospores that extend away from the colony surface. Both spore formation and subsequent spore germination are tightly controlled processes, and while significant progress has been made in understanding the underlying regulatory and enzymatic bases for these, there are still significant gaps in our understanding. One class of proteins with a potential role in spore-associated processes are the so-called resuscitation-promoting factors, or Rpfs, which in other actinobacteria are needed to restore active growth to dormant cell populations. The model speciesStreptomyces coelicolorencodes five Rpf proteins (RpfA to RfpE), and here we show that these proteins have overlapping functions during growth. Collectively, theS. coelicolorRpfs promote spore germination and are critical for growth under nutrient-limiting conditions. Previous studies have revealed structural similarities between the Rpf domain and lysozyme, and ourin vitrobiochemical assays revealed various levels of peptidoglycan cleavage capabilities for each of these fiveStreptomycesenzymes. Peptidoglycan remodeling by enzymes such as these must be stringently governed so as to retain the structural integrity of the cell wall. Our results suggest that one of the Rpfs, RpfB, is subject to a unique mode of enzymatic autoregulation, mediated by a domain of previously unknown function (DUF348) located within the N terminus of the protein; removal of this domain led to significantly enhanced peptidoglycan cleavage.
Kimchi: Spicy Science for the Undergraduate Microbiology Laboratory
Authors: Young Virginia A. , Kiefer Adam M.
Published: December 2014

Undergraduate microbiology courses offer a perfect opportunity to introduce students to historical food preservation processes that are still in use today. The fermentation of vegetables, as occurs in the preparation of sauerkraut and kimchi, uses an enrichment step to select for the growth of naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This is an active learning exercise in which students learn a food preparation skill and basic microbiological terms such as selection and enrichment. When performed in conjunction with cultured fermentations, such as yogurt making, students can see the difference between fermentations by naturally occurring microorganisms versus inoculated microorganisms. Additionally, this exercise introduces students to concepts of food safety, intrinsic factors influencing microbial growth such as pH, and cultural uses of fermentation to preserve locally available foods.
From Pipe Cleaners and Pony Beads to Apps and 3D Glasses: Teaching Protein Structure
Authors: Marshall Pamela A.
Published: December 2014

Students often self-identify as visual learners and prefer to engage with a topic in an active, hands-on way. Indeed, much research has shown that students who actively engage with the material and are engrossed in the topics retain concepts better than students who are passive receivers of information. However, much of learning life science concepts is still driven by books and static pictures. One concept students have a hard time grasping is how a linear chain of amino acids folds to becomes a 3D protein structure. Adding three dimensional activities to the topic of protein structure and function should allow for a deeper understanding of the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of proteins and how proteins function in a cell. Here, I review protein folding activities and describe using Apps and 3D visualization to enhance student understanding of protein structure.
A Modified Challenge-Based Learning Approach in a Capstone Course to Improve Student Satisfaction and Engagement
Authors: Gabriel Scott E.
Published: December 2014

Advanced Biochemistry, a senior capstone course for biochemistry majors, was first offered in 2011. The course objectives focused on students’ ability to access and use primary literature. Despite engaging conversation and excellent student presentations, evaluations of the course content were lower than what this instructor usually receives (3.65/5 compared to 4.3/5 from the previous semester). However, the evaluation of just the instructor was equivalent to historical results. In an effort to improve the course, a challenge-based learning (CBL) design was implemented in 2013 to frame the course around four big questions relevant to our world and local community. This change was made to test if a CBL course design would increase student engagement in the course and therefore their achievement of learning outcomes. Collected data show an improvement in students’ perception of the course. Most significantly, course evaluation results increased when compared to the previous year (4.5/5 as compared to 3.65/5 in 2011). Students also rated the CBL approach as highly effective in achieving core course outcomes and related skills (all queried outcomes averaged 4.2/5 at midterm).
Teaching Scientific Ethics Effectively at Any LevelReview of:	Scientific Integrity: Text and Cases in Responsible Conduct of Research,	4th ed;	MacrinaFrancis; (	2014).	ASM Press,	Washington, DC.	440 pages.
Authors: Carroll Melissa A.
Published: December 2014

Review of:
Scientific Integrity: Text and Cases in Responsible Conduct of Research, 4th ed;
Francis Macrina; (2014). ASM Press, Washington, DC. 440 pages.
Cautionary Tales: Ethics and Case Studies in Science
Authors: Herreid Clyde Freeman
Published: December 2014

Ethical concerns are normally avoided in science classrooms in spite of the fact that many of our discoveries impinge directly on personal and societal values. We should not leave the ethical problems for another day, but deal with them using realistic case studies that challenge students at their ethical core. In this article we illustrate how case studies can be used to teach STEM students principles of ethics.
Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Memory and LearningReview of:	Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning;	BrownPeter C.RoedigerHenry L.IIIMcDanielMark A.; (	2014).	Belknap Press,	Cambridge, MA.	336 pages.
Authors: Sleister Heidi M.
Published: December 2014

Review of:
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning;
Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel; (2014). Belknap Press, Cambridge, MA. 336 pages.
Moral Games Teach Bioethics at Any LevelReview of:	Moral Games for Teaching Bioethics;	MacerDarryl R. J.; (	2008).	UNESCO Chair in Bioethics,	Haifa, Israel.	128 pages. http://www.eubios.info/MacerMoralGames.pdf.
Authors: Govindan Brinda
Published: December 2014

Review of:
Moral Games for Teaching Bioethics;
Darryl R. J. Macer; (2008). UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Haifa, Israel. 128 pages.
http://www.eubios.info/MacerMoralGames.pdf
Life after Misconduct: Promoting Rehabilitation while Minimizing Damage
Authors: Stemwedel Janet D.
Published: December 2014

The scientific community has an interest in dealing with misconduct, but also in providing a path to rehabilitation in the aftermath of misconduct. The prospect of rehabilitation could minimize harms by improving reporting of misconduct, rebuilding damaged trust, and providing more insight into the conditions that led to unethical behavior, allowing scientists to work collectively to create conditions in which scientific misconduct is less likely.
Aligning Objectives and Assessment in Responsible Conduct of Research Instruction
Authors: Antes Alison L. , DuBois James M.
Published: December 2014

Efforts to advance research integrity in light of concerns about misbehavior in research rely heavily on education in the responsible conduct of research (RCR). However, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of RCR instruction as a remedy. Assessment is essential in RCR education if the research community wishes to expend the effort of instructors, students, and trainees wisely. This article presents key considerations that instructors and course directors must consider in aligning learning objectives with instructional methods and assessment measures, and it provides illustrative examples. Above all, in order for RCR educators to assess outcomes more effectively, they must align assessment to their learning objectives and attend to the validity of the measures used.
Ethical Considerations Regarding Classroom Use of Personal Genomic Information
Authors: Parker Lisa S. , Grubs Robin
Published: December 2014

Rapidly decreasing costs of genetic technologies—especially next-generation sequencing—and intensifying need for a clinical workforce trained in genomic medicine have increased interest in having students use personal genomic information to motivate and enhance genomics education. Numerous ethical issues attend classroom/pedagogical use of students’ personal genomic information, including their informed decision to participate, pressures to participate, privacy concerns, and psychosocial sequelae of learning genomic information. This paper addresses these issues, advocates explicit discussion of these issues to cultivate students’ ethical reasoning skills, suggests ways to mitigate potential harms, and recommends collection of ethically relevant data regarding pedagogical use of personal genomic information.
Beyond Responsible Conduct: Taking Responsibility for the Responsible Conduct of Others
Authors: McGee Richard , Schneeweis David M. , Hitsman Brian , Daniels Lauren
Published: December 2014

A unique Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course was created for Ph.D., M.D., and M.D./Ph.D. postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty at Northwestern University, some of whom had prior RCR training and some of whom did not. The unique feature of the course is its dual focus on learning the core elements of RCR and preparing participants for being responsible for guiding and monitoring RCR behaviors of others. These more advanced but still junior scientists are at a key junction where they are beginning to mentor and supervise others. A second unique element is a required conversation on at least two RCR topics with their current mentors, with a short written report, modeling explicit conversations about RCR prospectively. Overall response has been very positive with a high level of engagement. Formal and informal evaluation feedback reveals how participants see the value of the course and how it has shaped how they intend to guide others in the future. An important goal of the course is to also position high quality RCR and RCR training within the research environment, not just the classroom.
A Modest Proposal to Move RCR Education Out of the Classroom and into Research
Authors: Kalichman Michael
Published: December 2014

Requirements for training in responsible conduct of research have significantly increased over the past 25 years, but worries about the integrity of science have only intensified. The approach to training has relied largely on short-term experiences, either online or in person. Even if done well, such strategies remain separate from, and a negligible fraction of, the practice of research. A proposed alternative is to empower faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate student leaders to foster conversations about research ethics in the research environment.
Milk intake, height and body mass index in preschool children
Authors: DeBoer Mark D , Agard Hannah E , Scharf Rebecca J
Published: December 2014

Objectives

To evaluate links between the volume of milk consumed and weight and height status in children aged 4 and 5 years.

Design

We analysed data from 8950 children followed up as part of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey, Birth cohort, a nationally representative cohort of children. We used linear and logistic regression to assess associations of daily servings of milk intake at age 4 years with z-scores of body mass index (BMI), height and weight-for-height at 4 and 5 years, adjusted for sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and type of milk consumed.

Results

Among children who drank milk at age 4 years, higher milk consumption was associated with higher z-scores of BMI, height and weight-for-height at 4 years (all p<0.05). This corresponded to differences between children drinking <1 and ≥4 milk servings daily of approximately 1 cm in height and 0.15 kg in weight. By age 5 years, only the association with height remained significant (p<0.001). At 4 years, children drinking ≥3 servings of milk daily were more likely to be overweight/obese (BMI≥85th percentile) than those drinking 0.5–2 servings of milk daily (adjusted OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.32) p=0.02).

Conclusions

In a cohort of children at age 4 years, the volume of milk consumed was associated with higher weight status and taller stature, while at 5 years, higher milk consumption continued to be associated with taller stature. Given higher odds of overweight/obesity with milk consumption ≥3 servings daily, this study supports current American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations that pre-school children consume two milk servings daily.
Advertisements of follow-on formula and their perception by pregnant women and mothers in Italy
Authors: Cattaneo Adriano , Pani Paola , Carletti Claudia , Guidetti Margherita , Mutti Valentina , Guidetti Cecilia , Knowles Alessandra
Published: December 2014

Objective

To assess how follow-on formula milks for infants aged 6–12 months are presented to and understood by mothers.

Design

A quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional study including (1) an analysis of advertisements in three magazines for parents; (2) in-depth semistructured qualitative interviews to pregnant women on their perception of two advertisements for follow-on formula and (3) self-administered questionnaires for mothers to explore their exposure to and perception of formula advertisements.

Participants

Eighty pregnant women 32–36 weeks of gestation with no previous children and 562 mothers of children <3 years old.

Setting

Maternal and child health centres in eight cities of Italy.

Results

Advertisements of formula (n=89) represented about 7% of all advertisements in the three magazines, the majority (58%) being for follow-on formula. Advertisements were parent-oriented, aimed at helping parents solve health problems of their babies or at eliciting good feelings, or both. The qualitative interviews to pregnant women showed inability to define the advertised products at first glance due to the ambiguity of the numeral 2 and the presumed age of the portrayed baby; this inability did not disappear after carefully viewing the advertisements and reading the text. When asked in the self-administered questionnaires whether they had ever come across advertisements of infant formula, 81% of mothers reported that they had, despite the legal inexistence of such advertisements, and 65% thought that it was for a product to be used from birth.

Conclusions

Advertisements of follow-on formula are perceived by pregnant women and mothers as promoting infant formula.
Attitudes, access and anguish: a qualitative interview study of staff and patients’ experiences of diabetic retinopathy screening
Authors: Hipwell A E , Sturt J , Lindenmeyer A , Stratton I , Gadsby R , O'Hare P , Scanlon P H
Published: December 2014

Objective

To examine the experiences of patients, health professionals and screeners; their interactions with and understandings of diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS); and how these influence uptake.

Design

Purposive, qualitative design using multiperspectival, semistructured interviews and thematic analysis.

Setting

Three UK Screening Programme regions with different service-delivery modes, minority ethnic and deprivation levels across rural, urban and inner-city areas, in general practitioner practices and patients’ homes.

Participants

62 including 38 patients (22 regular-screening attenders, 16 non-regular attenders) and 24 professionals (15 primary care professionals and 9 screeners).

Results

Antecedents to attendance included knowledge about diabetic retinopathy and screening; antecedents to non-attendance included psychological, pragmatic and social factors. Confusion between photographs taken at routine eye tests and DRS photographs was identified. The differing regional invitation methods and screening locations were discussed, with convenience and transport safety being over-riding considerations for patients. Some patients mentioned significant pain and visual disturbance from mydriasis drops as a deterrent to attendance.

Conclusions

In this, the first study to consider multiperspectival experiential accounts, we identified that proactive coordination of care involving patients, primary care and screening programmes, prior to, during and after screening is required. Multiple factors, prior to, during and after screening, are involved in the attendance and non-attendance for DRS. Further research is needed to establish whether patient self-management educational interventions and the pharmacological reformulation of shorter acting mydriasis drops, may improve uptake of DRS. This might, in turn, reduce preventable vision loss and its associated costs to individuals and their families, and to health and social care providers, reducing current inequalities.
Acetyl-lysine erasers and readers in the control of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy
Authors: Stratton Matthew S. , McKinsey Timothy A.
Published: December 2014

Acetylation of lysine residues within nucleosomal histone tails provides a crucial mechanism for epigenetic control of gene expression. Acetyl groups are coupled to lysine residues by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and removed by histone deacetylases (HDACs), which are also commonly referred to as “writers” and “erasers”, respectively. In addition to altering the electrostatic properties of histones, lysine acetylation often creates docking sites for bromodomain-containing “reader” proteins. This review focuses on epigenetic control of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and associated right ventricular (RV) cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Effects of small molecule HDAC inhibitors in pre-clinical models of PH are highlighted. Furthermore, we describe the recently discovered role of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) reader proteins in the control of cardiac hypertrophy, and provide evidence suggesting that one member of this family, BRD4, contributes to the pathogenesis of RV failure. Together, the data suggest intriguing potential for pharmacological epigenetic therapies for the treatment of PH and right-sided heart failure.
Shell galaxies as laboratories for testing MOND
Authors: Bílek M. , Ebrová I. , Jungwiert B. , Jílková L. , Bartošková K.
Published: December 2014

Tests of MOND in elliptical galaxies are relatively rare because they often lack kinematic tracers in the regions where MOND effects are significant. Stellar shells observed in many elliptical galaxies offer a promising way to constrain their gravitational fields. Shells appear as glowing arcs around the host galaxy, with radii observed up to ∼100 kpc. The stars in axially symmetric shell systems move in nearly radial orbits. The radial distributions of shell locations and the spectra of stars in shells can be used to constrain the gravitational potential of their host galaxy. The symmetrical shell systems, being especially suitable for these studies, occur in approximately 3% of all early-type galaxies. Hence, if we overcome several problems (e.g., multiple shell generations present in the system, shells missed by observations, blurry shell edges, dynamical friction during the merger), the shells substantially increase the number of ellipticals in which MOND can be tested up to large radii. In this paper, we review our work on shell galaxies in MOND. We summarize Bílek et al. (Astron. Astrophys. 559, A110 (2013)), where we demonstrated the consistency of shell radii in an elliptical NGC 3923 with MOND, and Bílek et al. (arXiv:1404.1109. 2014), in which we predicted a giant (∼200 kpc), yet undiscovered shell of NGC 3923. We explain the shell identification method that was used in these two papers. We further describe the expected shape of line profiles in shell spectra in MOND, which is very special because of the direct relation of the gravitational field and baryonic matter distribution (Bílek et al. 2014, in preparation).
Voltage Controller for a Synchronous Generator with Exciter
Authors: Stojic Djordje , Veinovic Slavko , Milinkovic Milan , Joksimovic Dusan , Milojcic Nemanja
Published: December 2014

In this paper, the excitation controller for a synchronous generator (SG) with an exciter is presented, based on novel stabilization feedback actions comprising the SG rotor current and rotor voltage measurements. The novel stabilizing feedback actions are used to compensate the dynamic lag introduced by the exciter machine, and to improve the overall excitation system's dynamic performance without employing differential control actions. Namely, by avoiding differential control actions, an improved level of performance can be achieved without compromising the control system's sensitivity in relation to the measurement noise. Also, compared with the existing solutions based on a different set of stabilizing feedback signals, the controlling structure proposed in this paper enables a more stable and faster dynamic response, which is illustrated in the paper by means of the system frequency response analysis. The performance of the proposed solution is verified through the set of simulation and experimental runs presented in the paper. While the controller design is based on a simplified generator model, the simulations are carried out using the full order generator and exciter models. The experimental tests were carried out on a 300 MW thermal power plant aggregate with an AC exciter.
Certain subclasses of multivalent meromorphic functions involving iterations of the Cho–Kwon–Srivastava transform and its combinations
Authors: Mishra A. K. , Soren M. M.
Published: December 2014

In this paper, by making use of a meromorphic analogue of the Cho–Kwon–Srivastava operator and its iterations, certain new families of meromorphic p-valent functions are introduced. Several interesting properties of these function classes, such as inclusion theorems, convolution theorems and class preserving transforms, are studied.
Geodynamic processes in the Andes of Central Chile and Argentina: an introduction
Authors: Sepúlveda Sergio A. , Giambiagi Laura B. , Moreiras Stella M. , Pinto Luisa , Tunik Maisa , Hoke Gregory D. , Farías Marcelo
Published: December 2014

The Andes, the world's largest non-collisional orogen, is considered the paradigm for geodynamic processes associated with the subduction of an oceanic plate below a continental plate margin. In the framework of UNESCO-sponsored IGCP 586-Y project, this Special Publication includes state-of-the-art reviews and original articles from a range of Earth Science disciplines that investigate the complex interactions of tectonics and surface processes in the subduction-related orogen of the Andes of central Chile and Argentina (
c.
27–39°S). This introduction provides the geological context of the transition from flat slab to normal subduction angles, where this volume is focused, along with a brief description of the individual contributions ranging from internal geodynamics and tectonics, Quaternary tectonics and related geohazards, to landscape evolution of this particular segment of the Andes.
The artist as geotourist: Eugene von Guérard and the seminal sites of early volcanic research in Europe and Australia
Authors: Pullin Ruth
Published: December 2014

The career of the Austrian-born landscape painter Eugene von Guérard (1811–1901) was defined by his travels, which took him to Italy and Germany in the 1830s and 1840s and to Australia and New Zealand between 1852 and 1882. Today he is recognized as one of Australia's greatest nineteenth-century landscape painters. His formative years coincided with the emergence of geology as an independent scientific discipline and a growing awareness in the wider community of the role played by volcanic activity and other geological processes in the formation of the Earth's geomorphology. This new understanding was particularly pertinent to landscape painters, whose very subject was the form of the land; in Germany, where von Guérard trained and worked between 1838 and 1852, its relevance for landscape painters was emphasized by the influential natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt and the scientist, landscape painter and art theorist Carl Gustav Carus. They argued that the artist should paint from a geologically informed perspective. Von Guérard's interest in volcanic geology was sparked by his experiences in southern Italy, consolidated in Germany on expeditions through the Harz and Eifel regions and then fully realized in response to the landscapes of southeastern Australia. Through his informed portrayal of sites of geological significance in each hemisphere and through the cultural value invested in them as a consequence of his depiction of them, von Guérard epitomized that recently conceived construct: the geotourist.
A Framework for Supporting Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Solutions
Authors: Siozios Kostas , Soudris Dimitrios , Hübner Michael
Published: December 2014

For decades, computer architects pursued one primary goal: performance. The ever-faster transistors provided by Moore's law were translated into remarkable gains in operation frequency and power consumption. However, the device-level size and architecture complexity impose several new challenges, including a decrease in dependability level due to physical failures. In this article we propose a software-supported methodology based on game theory for adapting the aggressiveness of fault tolerance at runtime. Experimental results prove the efficiency of our solution since it achieves comparable fault masking to relevant solutions, but with significantly lower mitigation cost. More specifically, our framework speeds up the identification of suspicious failure resources on average by 76% as compared to the HotSpot tool. Similarly, the introduced solution leads to average Power×Delay (PDP) savings against an existing TMR approach by 53%.
Power-Based Diagnosis of Node Silence in Remote High-End Sensing Systems
Authors: Yang Yong , Su Lu , Khan Mohammad , Lemay Michael , Abdelzaher Tarek , Han Jiawei
Published: December 2014

Troubleshooting unresponsive sensor nodes is a significant challenge in remote sensor network deployments. While prior work often targets low-end sensor networks, this article introduces a novel diagnostic tool, called the telediagnostic powertracer, geared for remote high-end sensing systems. Leveraging special properties of high-end systems, this in situ troubleshooting tool uses external power measurements to determine the internal health condition of an unresponsive node and the most likely cause of its failure. We develop our own low-cost power meter with low-bandwidth radio, propose both passive and active sampling schemes to measure the power consumption of the host node, and then report the measurements to a base station, hence allowing remote (i.e., tele-) diagnosis. The tool was deployed and tested in a remote solar-powered sensing system for acoustic and visual environmental monitoring. It was shown to successfully distinguish between several categories of failures that cause unresponsive behavior including energy depletion, antenna damage, radio disconnection, system crashes, and anomalous reboots. It was also able to determine the internal health conditions of an unresponsive node, such as the presence or absence of sensing and data storage activities (for each of multiple applications). The article explores the feasibility of building such a remote diagnostic tool from the standpoint of economy, scale, and diagnostic accuracy. The main novelty lies in its use of power consumption as a side channel, which has more availability than other I/O ports, to diagnose sensing system failures.