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.     

Residents' preferences for private amenities and trade-offs associated with various spatial densities and patterns

ABSTRACT

Northwest Arkansas planning policies, like a number of communities across the country, have identified goals working toward more sustainable, livable, and subsequently denser development patterns. However, the understanding of residents’ perceptions of such living arrangements is limited. This study provides a more nuanced understanding of Northwest Arkansas residents’ spatial preferences through a survey of residents’ preferences for private amenities and their trade-off with various spatial densities and patterns in support of sustainability. Results of the survey indicate a preference for, and experience with, single-family residential living arrangements and amenities, with the preponderance (80%) of survey respondents currently living in single-family housing. There is a preference for low-density neighborhoods even if it means sacrificing other amenities. This study is in alignment with previous research suggesting that people may learn to prefer where they live. Additionally, while the majority of survey respondents indicated a preference for communal greenspaces, renters are more likely to prefer communal greenspaces when compared to homeowners. This study indicates that attached, multi-family development and renter development in Northwest Arkansas should consider the provision of communal green spaces, walkable access to transit, and walkable access to services as desired amenities for those residents.     

Learning from the extreme River Tyne flood in January 2005

Extreme floods often demonstrate unanticipated characteristics that pose problems for management and response. The floods on the Tyne and Eden in January 2005 provided numerous examples of such unexpected response. This paper describes characteristics of storm rainfall and runoff generation on the River Tyne catchment, flood effects and damage. Unusual aspects of hydrological behaviour are highlighted as a basis for assessing what lessons can be learned for flood risk management. These include problems associated with coincidence of extreme wind speeds and rainfall, the retarding influence of floodplain storage on flood wave travel time in extreme flows, the influence of critical storm duration on the severity of the resulting flood on headwaters and main river, and the variety of mechanisms of flood occurrence. The occurrence of such an extreme flood provides the opportunity to validate and enhance the review process of the Environment Agency's flood zone maps.     

米尔斯坦堂

正AAP学院米尔斯坦堂是位于纽约州伊萨卡市久负盛名的康奈尔大学建筑艺术和规划学院(简称"AAP学院")近百年来新建的第一栋建筑。但新建筑并没有独立于学院原有建筑,而是设计为与原有建筑室内外各层面相接的综合体。约4 400m2的空间内包含了工作室、展廊、评图室以及第一个专属礼堂等学院特别需要的空间。学院原有的4栋建筑位于校园北部边     

A naturalistic study of commuter cyclists in the greater Stockholm area

Few naturalistic studies have been carried out with commuter cyclists to discover the types of problems they encounter on a daily basis. The study presented here has been commissioned by the City of Stockholm municipality and focuses specifically on commuter cyclists in the Greater Stockholm area. The aim of the study was to describe and pinpoint accessibility and safety problems, but also to generate an accessible geographical interface that could serve as a traffic planning tool for cycle network improvement. Statistical surveys in the Stockholm area have shown a rapid growth in the number of cyclists as well as an increase in problems associated with an overburdened cycle infrastructure. Given the heightened emphasis on transport system sustainability, the City of Stockholm is faced with the challenging task of trying to maintain and encourage the upward trend in commuter cycling through a process that involves problem identification, classification, prioritisation and resolution. An innovative methodology involving the use of GPS logging devices and small video cameras was developed and supported with analysis software designed specifically for the purposes of this study. Experienced commuter cyclists were recruited to cycle 17 different major cycle routes to and from the suburbs and inner city area during morning and afternoon peak traffic hours during the main cycle season. Over 500 safety and accessibility/mobility problems were identified and recorded from the data collected from 16 commuter cyclists. The method and representation of data proved successful for strategic traffic planning work at City of Stockholm and has since provided invaluable input for and the development of a new cycle plan for Greater Stockholm. Indirectly, the results of this work have also contributed to longer term safety and environmental targets.     

Thromboelastography in healthy dairy cows

Thromboelastography is a whole blood-based coagulation assay that can be used to investigate hypocoagulability and hypercoagulability, as seen with thromboembolic diseases and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Numerous coagulopathies due to different causes are reported in cows. The objective was to establish reference intervals for thromboelastography using the TEG 5000 (Haemonetics GmbH, Munich, Germany) with citrated whole blood samples and kaolin activation in dairy cows and to investigate possible thromboelastographic changes between cows in different lactation periods. An additional objective was to test the stability of samples for up to 100 h. Sixty blood samples from healthy Holstein-Friesian cows were examined. The samples were allocated to 3 different lactation groups (≤30 d postcalving, 31–99 d postcalving, ≥100 d postcalving). Thromboelastography was performed by using the TEG 5000 analyzer with citrated whole blood samples with kaolin activation. The calculated reference intervals were as follows: reaction time = 2.2 to 6.2 min, coagulation time = 0.8 to 2.0 min, angle α = 58.2 to 81.8°, maximum amplitude = 64.3 to 89.2 mm, and clot rigidity = 9.2 to 41.2 dyn/cm². The 3 different lactation groups showed no significant differences in TEG parameters. No significant difference was seen in samples stored for up to 48 h at room temperature, which indicates that delays in processing samples, such as those arising during transit, are not an issue.     

Detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains in groundwater in the Yaoundé region (Cameroon,Central Africa)

This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, relative to the total count of E. coli, faecal coliforms and other heterotrophic mesophilic aerobic bacteria (HMAB) isolated in groundwater in the equatorial region of Cameroon (Central Africa). Bacteria were isolated using standard methods. Pathogenic E. coli strains were then identified using haemagglutination and antisera tests. The maximum abundance of HMAB, faecal coliforms and E. coli strains were 4.9 × 10⁶, 5.6 × 10³ and 1 × 10³ colony‐forming units (CFU)/100 mL, respectively. The count of pathogenic E. coli strains reached 3 CFU/100 mL. The counts of commensal and pathogenic E. coli strains underwent temporal and spatial fluctuations. In 21% of sampling sites, the abundance of faecal coliforms was significantly correlated to that of E. coli (P < 0.05). However, the isolated bacterial count was not significantly correlated to that of the pathogenic E. coli strains (P > 0.05). The bacteria abundance dynamics may be impacted by many interacting factors.     

Excitation of Cy5 in self-assembled lipid bilayers using optical microresonators

Due to their sensitivity and temporal response, optical microresonators are used extensively in the biosensor arena, particularly in the development of label-free diagnostics and measurement of protein kinetics. In the present letter, we investigate using microcavities to probe molecules within biomimetic membranes. Specifically, a method for self-assembling lipid bilayers on spherical microresonators is developed and the bilayer-nature is verified. Subsequently, the microcavity is used to excite a Cy5-conjugated lipid located within the bilayer while the optical performance of the microcavity is characterized. The emission wavelength of the dye and the optical behavior of the microcavity agree with theoretical predictions.     

Arts & Crafts and the Great City: Charles Robert Ashbee in Jerusalem

The aim of the paper is to bring together art and the city by linking town planning and the Arts & Crafts movement. This association is evident in the theoretical writing and professional practice of the architect Charles Robert Ashbee (1863–1942), whose work is characterized by a blend of tradition and innovation. Ashbee, a prominent artist, served as a British town planner in Jerusalem, assisting its first governor, Sir Ronald Storrs, in laying out the city and providing services for its inhabitants. In Jerusalem, Ashbee received his only chance to realize his artistic urban Utopia. The paper discusses Ashbee as a town planner and explores his artistic urban ideal, revealing his comprehensive appreciation of the city and its constituent artistic and social traits, and his combination of the modern requirements of a growing city with traditional artistic ideals. This was the basis of Ashbee’s work in Jerusalem and determined many of its results. In many ways, Ashbee’s ideas still guide the development of Jerusalem to this day, embodying a unique contribution of the Arts & Crafts movement to modern town planning.     

Multifactor,Sequentially Releasing Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering:Fabrication Using Solvent/Nonsolvent Sintering Technology

Biodegradable constructs, providing both mechanical support to growing tissues and timed release of biological agents, are highly desired in tissue engineering. This study aimed to develop a platform technology that responds to these challenges. Accordingly, we report herein on model systems in which microspheres of poly(suberic anhydride), containing all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), and poly(d,l -lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), containing bovine serum albumin (BSA), were co-sintered at room temperature, using a solvent/nonsolvent mixture. These scaffolds release about 60% of atRA and negligible amounts of BSA within the first five days, followed by slower and steady release of BSA. They have pores of 150–500 μm and a compressive modulus of 200 kPa. Myoblasts and fibroblasts were seeded on the loaded scaffolds and both showed enhanced proliferation rates. Based on sound thermodynamic principles of polymer science, this technology demonstrates an as yet unachieved degree of versatility. It allows for the tailoring of “intelligent” scaffolds that preserve the integrity of the incorporated agents and of advanced modalities to release various drugs in a scheduled manner.