231 research outputs found
New mutants and wild type standard reference strains of Neurospora intermedia
New mutants and wild type standard reference strains of Neurospora intermedi
Lagrangian temperature, velocity and local heat flux measurement in Rayleigh-Benard convection
We have developed a small, neutrally buoyant, wireless temperature sensor.
Using a camera for optical tracking, we obtain simultaneous measurements of
position and temperature of the sensor as it is carried along by the flow in
Rayleigh-B\'enard convection, at . We report on statistics of
temperature, velocity, and heat transport in turbulent thermal convection. The
motion of the sensor particle exhibits dynamics close to that of Lagrangian
tracers in hydrodynamic turbulence. We also quantify heat transport in plumes,
revealing self-similarity and extreme variations from plume to plume.Comment: 4 page
Characterizing flows with an instrumented particle measuring Lagrangian accelerations
We present in this article a novel Lagrangian measurement technique: an
instrumented particle which continuously transmits the force/acceleration
acting on it as it is advected in a flow. We develop signal processing methods
to extract information on the flow from the acceleration signal transmitted by
the particle. Notably, we are able to characterize the force acting on the
particle and to identify the presence of a permanent large-scale vortex
structure. Our technique provides a fast, robust and efficient tool to
characterize flows, and it is particularly suited to obtain Lagrangian
statistics along long trajectories or in cases where optical measurement
techniques are not or hardly applicable.Comment: submitted to New Journal of Physic
Vaccinating sons against HPV: results from a U.S. national survey of parents
PURPOSE:
The quadrivalent HPV vaccination was approved for use in males ages 9 to 26 in 2009 and recommended for routine administration in 2011. The purpose of this study was to uncover predictable commonalities amongst parents who chose to vaccinate their 11-17 year old sons against HPV.
METHODS:
We compiled data from a U.S. national sample of 779 parents with sons 11-17 years old using a web-based survey to gather information about behavioral and sociodemographic factors which predicted receipt of 1 or more HPV vaccine doses based on parental report. Predictors were first modeled individually for univariable associations. Significant predictors (p<0.10) were combined in a multivariable model.
RESULTS:
In the adjusted model, independent predictors included receipt of flu vaccination, health insurance coverage and sexual health topic discussions with sons. Sons who had received a flu shot in the last two years more frequently received at least one dose of the vaccine (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.45-2.26). Sons covered by private health insurance had decreased odds of HPV vaccination (OR 0.56 95% CI 0.37-0.83). Lastly, parents who had discussed sexual health topics with their sons were more likely to vaccinate (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.37-1.89).
CONCLUSIONS:
Male vaccination rates in the U.S. have increased, but males continue to be under-immunized. Utilization of health care is an important factor in HPV vaccine uptake; therefore, health care providers should use every contact as an opportunity to vaccinate. Communication about sexual health topics may provide a forum for parents and health care providers to have conversations about HPV vaccination as those more comfortable discussing these topics may also be more comfortable discussing HPV vaccination
Monte Carlo study of the Widom-Rowlinson fluid using cluster methods
The Widom-Rowlinson model of a fluid mixture is studied using a new cluster
algorithm that is a generalization of the invaded cluster algorithm previously
applied to Potts models. Our estimate of the critical exponents for the
two-component fluid are consistent with the Ising universality class in two and
three dimensions. We also present results for the three-component fluid.Comment: 13 pages RevTex and 2 Postscript figure
Preparing the Next Generation of Sustainability Scientists
Graduate programs emerging in universities over recent decades support the advanced study of sustainability issues in complex socio-environmental systems. Constructing the problem-scope to address these issues requires graduate students to integrate across disciplines and synthesize the social and natural dimensions of sustainability. Graduate programs that are designed to foster inter- and transdisciplinary research acknowledge the importance of training students to use integrative research approaches. However, this training is not available in all graduate programs that support integrative research, often requiring students to seek external training opportunities. We present perspectives from a group of doctoral students with diverse disciplinary backgrounds conducting integrative research in universities across the United States who participated in a 10-day, National Science Foundation-funded integrative research training workshop to learn and develop socio-environmental research skills. Following the workshop, students conducted a collaborative autoethnographic study to share pre- and postworkshop research experiences and discuss ways to increase integrative research training opportunities. Results reveal that students, regardless of disciplinary background, face common barriers conducting integrative research that include: (1) lack of exposure to epistemological frameworks and team-science skills, (2) challenges to effectively include stakeholder perspectives in his/her research, and (3) variable levels of committee support to conduct integrative research. To overcome the identified barriers and advance integrative research, students recommend how training opportunities can be embedded within existing graduate programs. Students advocate that both internal and external training opportunities are necessary to support the next generation of sustainability scientists
Non-targeting siRNA induces NPGPx expression to cooperate with exoribonuclease XRN2 for releasing the stress
Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) target specific mRNAs for their degradation mediated by RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Persistent activation of siRNA-RISC frequently leads to non-targeting toxicity. However, how cells mediate this stress remains elusive. In this communication, we found that the presence of non-targeting siRNA selectively induced the expression of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein, non-selenocysteine containing phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (NPGPx), but not other ER-stress proteins including GRP78, Calnexin and XBP1. Cells suffering from constant non-targeting siRNA stress grew slower and prolonged G1 phase, while NPGPx-depleted cells accumulated mature non-targeting siRNA and underwent apoptosis. Upon the stress, NPGPx covalently bound to exoribonuclease XRN2, facilitating XRN2 to remove accumulated non-targeting siRNA. These results suggest that NPGPx serves as a novel responder to non-targeting siRNA-induced stress in facilitating XRN2 to release the non-targeting siRNA accumulation
Visceral obesity and insulin resistance associate with CD36 deletion in lymphatic endothelial cells
Disruption of lymphatic lipid transport is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), but regulation of lymphatic vessel function and its link to disease remain unclear. Here we show that intestinal lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) have an increasing CD36 expression from lymphatic capillaries (lacteals) to collecting vessels, and that LEC CD36 regulates lymphatic integrity and optimizes lipid transport. Inducible deletion of CD36 in LECs in adult mice (Cd36(ĪLEC)) increases discontinuity of LEC VE-cadherin junctions in lacteals and collecting vessels. Cd36(ĪLEC) mice display slower transport of absorbed lipid, more permeable mesenteric lymphatics, accumulation of inflamed visceral fat and impaired glucose disposal. CD36 silencing in cultured LECs suppresses cell respiration, reduces VEGF-C-mediated VEGFR2/AKT phosphorylation and destabilizes VE-cadherin junctions. Thus, LEC CD36 optimizes lymphatic junctions and integrity of lymphatic lipid transport, and its loss in mice causes lymph leakage, visceral adiposity and glucose intolerance, phenotypes that increase risk of T2D
Knowledge politics and new converging technologies: a social epistemological perspective
The ānew converging technologiesā refers to the prospect of advancing the human condition by the integrated study and application of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and the cognitive sciences - or āNBICā. In recent years, it has loomed large, albeit with somewhat different emphases, in national science policy agendas throughout the world. This article considers the political and intellectual sources - both historical and contemporary - of the converging technologies agenda. Underlying it is a fluid conception of humanity that is captured by the ethically challenging notion of āenhancing evolutionā
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