Study of fuel cell on-site, integrated energy systems in residential/commercial applications

Three building applications were selected for a detailed study: a low rise apartment building; a retail store, and a hospital. Building design data were then specified for each application, based on the design and construction of typical, actual buildings. Finally, a computerized building loads analysis program was used to estimate hourly end use load profiles for each building. Conventional and fuel cell based energy systems were designed and simulated for each building in each location. Based on the results of a computer simulation of each energy system, levelized annual costs and annual energy consumptions were calculated for all systems

Drosophila Morgana is an Hsp90-interacting protein with a direct role in microtubule polymerisation

Morgana/CHORDC1/CHP1 is a highly conserved CHORD (Cysteine and Histidine Rich Domain) containing protein that has been proposed to function as an Hsp90 cochaperone. Morgana deregulation promotes carcinogenesis in both mice and humans while, in Drosophila, loss of morgana (mora) causes lethality and a complex mitotic phenotype that is rescued by a human morgana transgene. Here, we show that Drosophila Morgana localizes to mitotic spindles and co-purifies with the Hsp90- R2TP-TTT super-complex, and with additional well-known Hsp90 co-chaperones. Acute inhibition of Morgana function in the early embryo results in a dramatic reduction in centrosomal microtubule stability, leading to small spindles nucleated from mitotic chromatin. Purified Mora binds microtubules directly and promotes microtubule polymerization in vitro, suggesting that Mora directly regulates spindle dynamics independently of its Hsp90 co-chaperone role

Evolutionary adaptation of an AraC-like regulatory protein in Citrobacter rodentium and Escherichia species

© 2015, American Society for Microbiology. The evolution of pathogenic bacteria is a multifaceted and complex process, which is strongly influenced by the horizontal acquisition of genetic elements and their subsequent expression in their new hosts. A well-studied example is the RegA regulon of the enteric pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. The RegA regulatory protein is a member of the AraC/XylS superfamily, which coordinates the expression of a gene repertoire that is necessary for full pathogenicity of this murine pathogen. Upon stimulation by an exogenous, gut-associated signal, namely, bicarbonate ions, RegA activates the expression of a series of genes, including virulence factors, such as autotransporters, fimbriae, a dispersin-like protein, and the grlRA operon on the locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island. Interestingly, the genes encoding RegA homologues are distributed across the genus Escherichia, encompassing pathogenic and nonpathogenic subtypes. In this study, we carried out a series of bioinformatic, transcriptional, and functional analyses of the RegA regulons of these bacteria. Our results demonstrated that regA has been horizontally transferred to Escherichia spp. and C. rodentium. Comparative studies of two RegA homologues, namely, those from C. rodentium and E. coli SMS-3-5, a multiresistant environmental strain of E. coli, showed that the two regulators acted similarly in vitro but differed in terms of their abilities to activate the virulence of C. rodentium in vivo, which evidently was due to their differential activation of grlRA. Our data indicate that RegA from C. rodentium has strain-specific adaptations that facilitate infection of its murine host. These findings shed new light on the development of virulence by C. rodentium and on the evolution of virulence- regulatory genes of bacterial pathogens in general

The relationship between group identification and satisfaction with life in a cross-cultural community sample

A variety of studies have shown that group identification (a sense of belonging to one’s social group, coupled with a sense of commonality with the group’s members) is linked to high levels of satisfaction with life (SWL). The aim of the present study was to support and extend this literature by: i) investigating the link between group identification and SWL with a large cross-cultural community sample; ii) examining whether the relationship is moderated by nationality; and iii) considering whether SWL is enhanced by possessing multiple group identifications simultaneously. Utilizing data from Wave 1 of the Health in Groups project, 3,829 participants from both Scotland and Italy completed a questionnaire assessing their identification with their family, their local community, and a group of their choice, as well as their level of SWL. Higher identification with each group predicted higher SWL. Nationality was a marginal moderator of the relationship between family identification and SWL, with the relationship being stronger for Italian participants than for Scottish participants. There was also an additive effect of group identification, with a positive relationship between the number of groups with which participants identified and their SWL. These effects were obtained even after controlling for gender, age, employment status, nationality, and extent of contact with each group. The implications for healthcare professionals and their patients are discussed

Muscle stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis is not altered or associated with muscle weakness: a shear wave elastography study

Objective: To investigate muscle stiffness and strength in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healthy controls. Methods: A sample of 80 RA patients from three discrete groups: 1-newly diagnosed treatment-naïve RA (n = 29), 2-active RA for at least 1 year (n = 18) and 3-in remission RA for at least 1 year (n = 33), was compared to 40 healthy controls. Shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured using shear wave elastography as a surrogate for tissue stiffness in multiple muscles. All participants performed isometric grip strength, timed get-up-and-go test, 30-sec chair stand test and isokinetic knee extension/flexion(60°/sec). The difference in SWV amongst the groups was tested using one-way ANOVA, and the correlation between SWV and muscle strength results were calculated using Pearson's coefficients. Results: The mean age ± SD was 61.2 ± 12.8 for RA patients and 61.5 ± 10.5 years for controls. SWV was not significantly different amongst the groups on all muscles (p > 0.05). In comparison to controls, the new and active RA groups showed a significantly lower isokinetic strength by -29%(p = 0.013) and -28%(p = 0.040), fewer chair stands by -28%(p = 0.001) and -44%(p  0.05). Conclusions: Significant muscle weakness was demonstrated in patients with RA disease. However, muscle stiffness was normal and not associated with muscle strength

Low cost silicon solar arrays

The economic production of silicon solar cell arrays circumvents p-n junction degradation by nuclear doping, in which the Si-30 transmutes to P-31 after thermal neutron capture. Also considered are chemical purity specifications for improved silicon bulk states, surface induced states, and surface states

Practical Issues in Imputation-Based Association Mapping

Imputation-based association methods provide a powerful framework for testing untyped variants for association with phenotypes and for combining results from multiple studies that use different genotyping platforms. Here, we consider several issues that arise when applying these methods in practice, including: (i) factors affecting imputation accuracy, including choice of reference panel; (ii) the effects of imputation accuracy on power to detect associations; (iii) the relative merits of Bayesian and frequentist approaches to testing imputed genotypes for association with phenotype; and (iv) how to quickly and accurately compute Bayes factors for testing imputed SNPs. We find that imputation-based methods can be robust to imputation accuracy and can improve power to detect associations, even when average imputation accuracy is poor. We explain how ranking SNPs for association by a standard likelihood ratio test gives the same results as a Bayesian procedure that uses an unnatural prior assumption—specifically, that difficult-to-impute SNPs tend to have larger effects—and assess the power gained from using a Bayesian approach that does not make this assumption. Within the Bayesian framework, we find that good approximations to a full analysis can be achieved by simply replacing unknown genotypes with a point estimate—their posterior mean. This approximation considerably reduces computational expense compared with published sampling-based approaches, and the methods we present are practical on a genome-wide scale with very modest computational resources (e.g., a single desktop computer). The approximation also facilitates combining information across studies, using only summary data for each SNP. Methods discussed here are implemented in the software package BIMBAM, which is available from http://stephenslab.uchicago.edu/software.html

OMERACT Definitions for Ultrasonographic Pathology and Elementary Lesions Of Rheumatic Disorders Fifteen Years On

Objective. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasound (US) working group (WG) operates research activities for the validation of US as an outcome measurement instrument according to the Filter 2.0 framework Methods. From the onset of the WG research in 2005 through now, original publications on definitions and scoring systems for pathophysiological manifestations and elementary lesions of various rheumatic disorders were reviewed Results. Definitions and scoring systems according to new terminology are provided Conclusions. We have redefined OMERACT definitions of US pathology and elementary lesions as well as scoring systems which are now proposed for OMERACT approval for application in clinical trial

Lack of Association between Measles Virus Vaccine and Autism with Enteropathy: A Case-Control Study

Background: The presence of measles virus (MV) RNA in bowel tissue from children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances was reported in 1998. Subsequent investigations found no associations between MV exposure and ASD but did not test for the presence of MV RNA in bowel or focus on children with ASD and GI disturbances. Failure to replicate the original study design may contribute to continued public concern with respect to the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Methodology/Principal Findings: The objective of this case-control study was to determine whether children with GI disturbances and autism are more likely than children with GI disturbances alone to have MV RNA and/or inflammation in bowel tissues and if autism and/or GI episode onset relate temporally to receipt of MMR. The sample was an age-matched group of US children undergoing clinically-indicated ileocolonoscopy. Ileal and cecal tissues from 25 children with autism and GI disturbances and 13 children with GI disturbances alone (controls) were evaluated by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for presence of MV RNA in three laboratories blinded to diagnosis, including one wherein the original findings suggesting a link between MV and ASD were reported. The temporal order of onset of GI episodes and autism relative to timing of MMR administration was examined. We found no differences between case and control groups in the presence of MV RNA in ileum and cecum. Results were consistent across the three laboratory sites. GI symptom and autism onset were unrelated to MMR timing. Eighty-eight percent of ASD cases had behavioral regression. Conclusions/Significance: This study provides strong evidence against association of autism with persistent MV RNA in the GI tract or MMR exposure. Autism with GI disturbances is associated with elevated rates of regression in language or other skills and may represent an endophenotype distinct from other ASD