How do meters mediate? Energy meters, boundary objects and household transitions in Australia and the United Kingdom

This paper investigates the changing role of an integral but often overlooked technology within our energy systems: the meter. Empirical cases from the United Kingdom and Australia demonstrate the repurposing of the energy meter. No longer just an instrument of metrology, the meter is increasingly seen by utilities and governments as a key enabling technology for a raft of objectives, from tariff reform to peak load reduction. We draw on the Science and Technology Studies concept of a boundary object to explore these changes. A boundary object is conceptualised as positioned between different social worlds – such as those of householders, government, and utilities – and as having sufficient interpretive flexibility to mediate between their distinct interests. Here we use the boundary object concept to explain the ways in which the meter is being reconfigured, and in particular to analyse the role of householders in the transition to digital meters

Chronic lung diseases:entangled in extracellular matrix

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the scaffold that provides structure and support to all organs, including the lung; however, it is also much more than this. The ECM provides biochemical and biomechanical cues to cells that reside or transit through this micro-environment, instructing their responses. The ECM structure and composition changes in chronic lung diseases; how such changes impact disease pathogenesis is not as well understood. Cells bind to the ECM through surface receptors, of which the integrin family is one of the most widely recognised. The signals that cells receive from the ECM regulate their attachment, proliferation, differentiation, inflammatory secretory profile and survival. There is extensive evidence documenting changes in the composition and amount of ECM in diseased lung tissues. However, changes in the topographical arrangement, organisation of the structural fibres and stiffness (or viscoelasticity) of the matrix in which cells are embedded have an undervalued but strong impact on cell phenotype. The ECM in diseased lungs also changes in physical and biomechanical ways that drive cellular responses. The characteristics of these environments alter cell behaviour and potentially orchestrate perpetuation of lung diseases. Future therapies should target ECM remodelling as much as the underlying culprit cells

Inter-familial relationships of the shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes) based on nuclear DNA sequence data

BACKGROUND: Phylogenetic hypotheses of higher-level relationships in the order Charadriiformes based on morphological data, partly disagree with those based on DNA-DNA hybridisation data. So far, these relationships have not been tested by analysis of DNA sequence data. Herein we utilize 1692 bp of aligned, nuclear DNA sequences obtained from 23 charadriiform species, representing 15 families. We also test earlier suggestions that bustards and sandgrouses may be nested with the charadriiforms. The data is analysed with methods based on the parsimony and maximum-likelihood criteria. RESULTS: Several novel phylogenetic relationships were recovered and strongly supported by the data, regardless of which method of analysis was employed. These include placing the gulls and allied groups as a sistergroup to the sandpiper-like birds, and not to the plover-like birds. The auks clearly belong to the clade with the gulls and allies, and are not basal to most other charadriiform birds as suggested in analyses of morphological data. Pluvialis, which has been supposed to belong to the plover family (Charadriidae), represents a basal branch that constitutes the sister taxon to a clade with plovers, oystercatchers and avocets. The thick-knees and sheathbills unexpectedly cluster together. CONCLUSION: The DNA sequence data contains a strong phylogenetic signal that results in a well-resolved phylogenetic tree with many strongly supported internodes. Taxonomically it is the most inclusive study of shorebird families that relies on nucleotide sequences. The presented phylogenetic hypothesis provides a solid framework for analyses of macroevolution of ecological, morphological and behavioural adaptations observed within the order Charadriiformes

Modelling the impact of specific food policy options on coronary heart disease and stroke deaths in Ireland

Objective: To estimate the potential reduction in cardiovascular (CVD) mortality possible by decreasing salt, trans fat and saturated fat consumption, and by increasing fruit and vegetable (F/V) consumption in Irish adults aged 25–84years for 2010. Design: Modelling study using the validated IMPACT Food Policy Model across two scenarios. Sensitivity analysis was undertaken. First, a conservative scenario: reductions in dietary salt by 1 g/day, trans fat by 0.5% of energy intake, saturated fat by 1% energy intake and increasing F/V intake by 1 portion/day. Second, a more substantial but politically feasible scenario: reductions in dietary salt by 3 g/day, trans fat by 1% of energy intake, saturated fat by 3% of energy intake and increasing F/V intake by 3 portions/day. Setting: Republic of Ireland. Outcomes: Coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke deaths prevented. Results: The small, conservative changes in food policy could result in approximately 395 fewer cardiovascular deaths per year; approximately 190 (minimum 155, maximum 230) fewer CHD deaths in men, 50 (minimum 40, maximum 60) fewer CHD deaths in women, 95 (minimum 75, maximum 115) fewer stroke deaths in men, and 60 (minimum 45, maximum 70) fewer stroke deaths in women. Approximately 28%, 22%, 23% and 26% of the 395 fewer deaths could be attributable to decreased consumptions in trans fat, saturated fat, dietary salt and to increased F/V consumption, respectively. The 395 fewer deaths represent an overall 10% reduction in CVD mortality. Modelling the more substantial but feasible food policy options, we estimated that CVD mortality could be reduced by up to 1070 deaths/year, representing an overall 26% decline in CVD mortality. Conclusions: A considerable CVD burden is attributable to the excess consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, salt and insufficient fruit and vegetables. There are significant opportunities for Government and industry to reduce CVD mortality through effective, evidence-based food policies

The Pericytic Phenotype of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells Is Promoted by NOTCH2

Long-term diabetes leads to macrovascular and microvascular complication. In diabetic retinopathy (DR), persistent hyperglycemia causes permanent loss of retinal pericytes and aberrant proliferation of microvascular endothelial cells (ECs). Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) may serve to functionally replace retinal pericytes and normalize retinal microvasculature during disease progression. We hypothesized that Notch signaling in ASC underlies regulation and stabilization of dysfunctional retinal microvascular networks such as in DR. ASC prominently and constitutively expressed NOTCH2. Genetic knockdown of NOTCH2 in ASC (SH-NOTCH2) disturbed the formation of vascular networks of human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells both on monolayers of ASC and in organotypical three-dimensional cocultures with ASC. On ASC SH-NOTCH2, cell surface platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta was downregulated which disrupted their migration toward the chemoattractant platelet-derived growth factor beta subunits (PDGF-BB) as well as to conditioned media from EC and bovine retinal EC. This chemoattractant is secreted by pro-angiogenic EC in newly formed microvascular networks to attract pericytes. Intravitreal injected ASC SH-NOTCH2 in oxygen-induced retinopathy mouse eyes did not engraft in the preexisting retinal microvasculature. However, the in vivo pro-angiogenic capacity of ASC SH-NOTCH2 did not differ from controls. In this respect, multifocal electroretinography displayed similar b-wave amplitudes in the avascular zones when either wild type ASC or SH-NOTCH2 ASC were injected. In conclusion, our results indicate that NOTCH2 is essential to support in vitro vasculogenesis via juxtacrine interactions. In contrast, ongoing in vivo angiogenesis is influenced by paracrine signaling of ASC, irrespective of Notch signaling

Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 2. ammonia, dust and foliar nitrogen

This study evaluated the potential of trees planted around commercial poultry farms to trap ammonia (NH3) and dust or particulate matter (PM). Norway spruce, Spike hybrid poplar, hybrid willow, and Streamco purpleosier willow were planted on five commercial farms from 2003 to 2004. Plant foliage was sampled in front of the exhaust fans and at a control distance away from the fans on one turkey, two laying hen, and two broiler chicken farms between June and July 2006. Samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and PM content. In addition, NH3concentrations were measured downwind of the exhaust fans among the trees and at a control distance using NH3 passive dosi–tubes. Foliage samples were taken and analyzed separately based on plant species. The two layer farms had both spruce and poplar plantings whereas the two broiler farms had hybrid willow and Streamco willow plantings which allowed sampling and species comparisons with the effect of plant location (control vs. fan). The results showed that NH3 concentration h− 1 was reduced by distance from housing fans (P ≤ 0.0001), especially between 0 m (12.01 ppm), 11.4 m (2.59 ppm), 15 m (2.03 ppm), and 30 m (0.31 ppm). Foliar N of plants near the fans was greater than those sampled away from the fans for poplar (3.87 vs. 2.56%; P ≤ 0.0005) and hybrid willow (3.41 vs. 3.02%; P ≤ 0.05). The trends for foliar N in spruce (1.91 vs. 1.77%; P = 0.26) and Streamco willow (3.85 vs. 3.33; P = 0.07) were not significant. Pooling results of the four plant species indicated greater N concentration from foliage sampled near the fans than of that away from the fans (3.27 vs. 2.67%; P ≤ 0.0001). Foliar DM concentration was not affected by plant location, and when pooled the foliar DM of the four plant species near the fans was 51.3% in comparison with 48.5% at a control distance. There was a significant effect of plant location on foliar N and DM on the two layer farms with greater N and DM adjacent to fans than at a control distance (2.95 vs. 2.15% N and 45.4 vs. 38.2% DM, respectively). There were also significant plant species effects on foliar N and DM with poplar retaining greater N (3.22 vs. 1.88%) and DM (43.7 vs. 39.9%) than spruce. The interaction of location by species (P ≤ 0.005) indicated that poplar was more responsive in terms of foliar N, but less responsive for DM than spruce. The effect of location and species on foliar N and DM were not clear among the two willow species on the broiler farms. Plant location had no effect on plant foliar PM weight, but plant species significantly influenced the ability of the plant foliage to trap PM with spruce and hybrid willow showing greater potential than poplar and Streamco willow for PM2.5(0.0054, 0.0054, 0.0005, and 0.0016 mg cm− 2; P ≤ 0.05) and total PM (0.0309, 0.0102, 0.0038, and 0.0046 mg cm− 2, respectively; P ≤ 0.001). Spruce trapped more dust compared to the other three species (hybrid willow, poplar, and Streamco willow) for PM10 (0.0248 vs. 0.0036 mg cm− 2; P ≤ 0.0001) and PM\u3e 10 (0.0033 vs. 0.0003 mg cm− 2; P = 0.052). This study indicates that poplar, hybrid willow, and Streamco willow are appropriate species to absorb poultry house aerial NH3–N, whereas spruce and hybrid willow are effective traps for dust and its associated odors

Matrix Metalloproteases from Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells Are Spatiotemporally Regulated by Hydrogel Mechanics in a 3D Microenvironment

Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are of interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) due to their easy acquisition, multipotency, and secretion of a host of factors that promote regeneration. Retention of ASCs in or around lesions is poor following direct administration. Therefore, for TERM applications, ASCs can be ‘immobilized’ via their incorporation into hydrogels such as gelatine methacryloyl (GelMA). Tweaking GelMA concentration is a common approach to approximate the mechanical properties found in organs or tissues that need repair. Distinct hydrogel mechanics influence the ability of a cell to spread, migrate, proliferate, and secrete trophic factors. Mesenchymal cells such as ASCs are potent remodellers of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Not only do ASCs deposit components, they also secrete matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) which degrade ECM. In this work, we investigated if GelMA polymer concentration influenced the expression of active MMPs by ASCs. In addition, MMPs’ presence was interrogated with regard to ASCs morphology and changes in hydrogel ultrastructure. For this, immortalised ASCs were embedded in 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/v) GelMA hydrogels, photopolymerised and cultured for 14 d. Zymography in situ indicated that MMPs had a variable, hydrogel concentration-dependent influence on ASCs-secreted MMPs. In 5% GelMA, ASCs showed a high and sustained expression of MMPs, while, in 10% and 15% GelMA, such expression was almost null. ASCs morphology based on F-actin staining showed that increasing GelMA concentrations inhibit their spreading. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that hydrogel ultrastructure in terms of pore density, pore size, and percentage porosity were not consistently influenced by cells. Interestingly, changes in ultrastructural parameters were detected also in cell-free materials, albeit without a clear trend. We conclude that hydrogel concentration and its underlying mechanics influenced MMP expression by ASCs. The exact MMPs that respond to these mechanical cues should be defined in follow-up experiments

Towards standardization of human adipose-derived stromal cells secretomes

The secretome of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) is a heterogeneous mixture of components with a beneficial influence on cellular microenvironments. As such, it represents a cell-free alternative in regenerative medicine therapies. Pathophysiological conditions increase the therapeutic capacity of ASC and, with this, the benefits of the secretome. Such conditions can be partially mimicked in vitro by adjusting culturing conditions. Secretomics, the unbiased analysis of a cell secretome by mass spectrometry, is a powerful tool to describe the composition of ASC secretomes. In this proteomics databases review, we compared ASC secretomic studies to retrieve persistently reported proteins resulting from the most explored types of culturing conditions used in research, i.e., exposure to normoxia, hypoxia, or cytokines. Our comparisons identified only eight common proteins within ASC normoxic secretomes, no commonalities within hypoxic ASC secretomes, and only nine within secretomes of ASC exposed to proinflammatory cytokines. Within these, and regardless of the culturing condition that stimulated secretion, a consistent presence of extracellular matrix-related pathways associated with such proteins was identified. Confounders such as donors' age, sex, body mass index, the anatomical area where ASC were harvested, secretome collection method, data description, and how the data is shared with the scientific community are discussed as factors that might explain our outcomes. We conclude that standardization is imperative as the currently available ASC secretomic studies do not facilitate solid conclusions on the therapeutic value of different ASC secretomes.</p