Long Non-Coding RNAs as Master Regulators in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for nearly one in every seven deaths. Over the last decade, various targeted therapeutics have been introduced, but there has been no corresponding improvement in patient survival. Since the mortality rate of cardiovascular disease has not been significantly decreased, efforts have been made to understand the link between heart disease and novel therapeutic targets such as non-coding RNAs. Among multiple non-coding RNAs, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has emerged as a novel therapeutic in cardiovascular medicine. LncRNAs are endogenous RNAs that contain over 200 nucleotides and regulate gene expression. Recent studies suggest critical roles of lncRNAs in modulating the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. For example, aberrant lncRNA expression has been associated with the pathogenesis of ischemic heart failure. In this article, we present a synopsis of recent discoveries that link the roles and molecular interactions of lncRNAs to cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, we describe the prevalence of circulating lncRNAs and assess their potential utilities as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of heart disease.     

Development of a sustainability reporting scheme for biofuels: A UK case study

In 2008, the UK launched the first regulatory sustainability reporting scheme for biofuels. The development of the scheme, managed by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership for the Department for Transport, involved extensive stakeholder engagement. The scheme has significantly increased understanding by policy-makers, the biofuels industry and its supply chains on how to monitor and manage the sustainability risks of biofuels and increase their greenhouse-gas benefits. It is providing a practical model for similar developments globally. To receive certificates in order to meet volume obligations under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), suppliers must provide a monthly carbon and sustainability report on individual batches of renewable fuels they supply into the UK. The Renewable Fuels Agency produces aggregate monthly reports of overall performance and quarterly updates of individual supplier performance. This scheme is an important first step to assist the biofuels industry to demonstrate its environmental credentials and justify the subsidies received. The paper provides a case study of the development of the scheme, its initial outcomes and outstanding challenges.     

Baseload electricity from wind via compressed air energy storage (CAES)

This study investigates two methods of transforming intermittent wind electricity into firm baseload capacity: (1) using electricity from natural gas combined-cycle (NGCC) power plants and (2) using electricity from compressed air energy storage (CAES) power plants. The two wind models are compared in terms of capital and electricity costs, CO₂ emissions, and fuel consumption rates. The findings indicate that the combination of wind and NGCC power plants is the lowest-cost method of transforming wind electricity into firm baseload capacity power supply at current natural gas prices (∼$6/GJ). However, the electricity supplied by wind and CAES power plants becomes economically competitive when the cost of natural gas for electric producers is $10.55/GJ or greater. In addition, the Wind-CAES system has the lowest CO₂ emissions (93% and 71% lower than pulverized coal power plants and Wind-NGCC, respectively) and the lowest fuel consumption rates (9 and 4 times lower than pulverized coal power plants and Wind-NGCC, respectively). As such, the large-scale introduction of Wind-CAES systems in the U.S. appears to be the prudent long-term choice once natural gas price volatility, costs, and climate impacts are all considered.     

Broad dissemination of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in sediments of two urban coastal wetlands

Contamination of soil and water with antibiotic-resistant bacteria may create reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes that have the potential to negatively impact future public health through horizontal gene transfer. The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qepA, and aac(6')-Ib-cr were detected by PCR amplification of metagenomic DNA from surface sediments of the Tijuana River Estuary, a sewage-impacted coastal wetland along the U.S.-Mexico border; sediments of Famosa Slough, a nearby urban wetland that is largely unaffected by sewage, contained only qnrB, qnrS, and qepA. The number of PCR-positive sites and replicates increased in both wetlands after rainfall. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed a significant increase (p < 0.0005) in qnrA abundance (copies per gram sediment or per 16S rDNA copy) in Tijuana River Estuary sediments immediately following rainfall, but no significant change was measured at Famosa Slough (p > 0.1). Nucleotide sequences of cloned qnrA amplicons were all affiliated with qnrA genes found on plasmids of clinical isolates with one exception that was most similar to the chromosomal qnrA gene found in Shewanella algae. Our results suggest that urban wetlands may become reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes, particularly where wastewater is improperly managed.     

Geometric optimization of a thermoacoustic regenerator

This work illustrates the optimization of thermoacoustic systems, while taking into account thermal losses to the surroundings that are typically disregarded. A simple thermoacoustic engine is used as an example for the methodology. Its driving component, the thermoacoustic regenerator (also referred to as the stack), is modeled with a finite element method and its dimensions are varied to find an optimal design with regard to thermal losses. Thermoacoustic phenomena are included by considering acoustic power, and viscous and capacitive losses that are characteristic for the regenerator. The optimization considers four weighted objectives and is conducted with the Nelder–Mead Simplex method. When trying to minimize thermal losses, the presented results show that the regenerator should be designed to be as short as possible. It was found that there is an optimal regenerator diameter for a given length. The results are presented for a variety of materials and weights for each objective.     

Unsteady transverse injection of kerosene into a supersonic flow

A shadowgraph and a new fuel injection system were used to study kerosene transversely injected into a supersonic flow. High pressure and velocity of injection can be attained. The pressure time histories were detected in oil-line and the shadowgraphs of the flow field were obtained at different time-delays. The inflow stagnation pressure was varied to change the local flow speed in test section. The results indicate that kerosene jet exhibits deep penetration and four regimes appear clearly during the fuel jet atomization in a high-speed flow. The jet disintegration is caused by surface waves propagating along the jet surface, and the breakup point is located at the wave trough. The surface waves are dominantly generated by aerodynamic force. The jet shock is close to windward surface of the jet. The shock reflects on and transmits in duct boundary layers. In the case of unsteady injection, the shock structure is very complicated and different from that of hydrogen injection. The results of kerosene inj     

A very low-noise receiver for 80–120 GHz

A new dual-polarized cryogenic Schottky barrier mixer receiver for radio astronomy applications is described. Between 85 and 120 GHz, the double sideband receiver temperature, including all contributions from the polarization diplexing system, telescope coupling optics and dewar window is less than 125°K in either channel. Novel features include a very broadband, fixed tuned mixer design and a compact, low-loss, linear polarization diplexing scheme.     

Comparing women and men: What is being compared and why?

Comments on A. H. Eagly's (see record 1995-21141-001) discussion comparing the sexes in scientific research. The author presents and discusses 2 issues that arose from Eagly's overview. The 1st issue concerns the database underlying the meta-analytic summaries and asks exactly what is being compared. The 2nd issue concerns the relative magnitude of the sex differences and also asks why men and women, rather than other social groups, should be compared. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)