Simple, fast, and accurate methodology for quantitative analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, with bio-hybrid fuel cell examples.

The standard methodologies for quantitative analysis (QA) of mixtures using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) instruments have evolved until they are now more complicated than necessary for many users' purposes. We present a simpler methodology, suitable for widespread adoption of FTIR QA as a standard laboratory technique across disciplines by occasional users.•Algorithm is straightforward and intuitive, yet it is also fast, accurate, and robust.

Dorsal skin necrosis secondary to a solar-induced thermal burn in a brown-coated dachshund.

A 5-year-old neutered male brown dachshund dog was presented for a large dorsal cutaneous burn that occurred following direct sunlight exposure outdoors in high ambient temperatures. Although burns are quite common in dogs, full-thickness solar-induced radiation burns are less common and have not been previously reported in animals without a black hair coat.

Conjugated gold nanoparticles as a tool for probing the bacterial cell envelope: The case of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

The bacterial cell envelope forms the interface between the interior of the cell and the outer world and is, thus, the means of communication with the environment. In particular, the outer cell surface mediates the adhesion of bacteria to the surface, the first step in biofilm formation. While a number of ligand-based interactions are known for the attachment process in commensal organisms and, as a result, opportunistic pathogens, the process of nonspecific attachment is thought to be mediated by colloidal, physiochemical, interactions.

Matrix group structure and Markov invariants in the strand symmetric phylogenetic substitution model.

We consider the continuous-time presentation of the strand symmetric phylogenetic substitution model (in which rate parameters are unchanged under nucleotide permutations given by Watson-Crick base conjugation). Algebraic analysis of the model's underlying structure as a matrix group leads to a change of basis where the rate generator matrix is given by a two-part block decomposition. We apply representation theoretic techniques and, for any (fixed) number of phylogenetic taxa L and polynomial degree D of interest, provide the means to classify and enumerate the associated Markov invariants.

Adolescent Substance Use Following a Deadly U.S. Tornado Outbreak: A Population-Based Study of 2,000 Families.

Unlabelled: Despite conceptual links between disaster exposure and substance use, few studies have examined prevalence and risk factors for adolescent substance use and abuse in large, population-based samples affected by a recent natural disaster. We addressed this gap using a novel address-based sampling methodology to interview adolescents and parents who were affected by the 4th deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S.

Cell Surface Proteomic Map of HIV Infection Reveals Antagonism of Amino Acid Metabolism by Vpu and Nef.

Critical cell surface immunoreceptors downregulated during HIV infection have previously been identified using non-systematic, candidate approaches. To gain a comprehensive, unbiased overview of how HIV infection remodels the T cell surface, we took a distinct, systems-level, quantitative proteomic approach. >100 plasma membrane proteins, many without characterized immune functions, were downregulated during HIV infection.

Effect of Modified Phospholipid Bilayers on the Electrochemical Activity of a Membrane-Spanning Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte.

The incorporation and electrochemical activity of a conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE) in model phospholipid bilayers have been characterized using cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis absorption measurements. Several other modifiers were also incorporated into the phospholipid membranes to alter properties such as charge and alkyl chain disorder. Using potassium ferricyanide to measure charge transport, it was observed that bilayers that contained cholic acid, a negatively charged additive that also promotes alkyl chain disorder, had higher COE uptake and charge permeability than unmodified bilayers.

Variation in CACNA1C is Associated with Amygdala Structure and Function in Adolescents.

Objective: Genome-wide association studies have identified allelic variation in CACNA1C as a risk factor for multiple psychiatric disorders associated with limbic system dysfunction, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. The CACNA1C gene codes for a subunit of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels, which modulate amygdala function. Although CACNA1C genotype appears to be associated with amygdala morphology and function in adults with and without psychopathology, whether genetic variation influences amygdala structure and function earlier in development has not been examined.

Genetic influences on the neural and physiological bases of acute threat: A research domain criteria (RDoC) perspective.

The NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative aims to describe key dimensional constructs underlying mental function across multiple units of analysis-from genes to observable behaviors-in order to better understand psychopathology. The acute threat ("fear") construct of the RDoC Negative Valence System has been studied extensively from a translational perspective, and is highly pertinent to numerous psychiatric conditions, including anxiety and trauma-related disorders. We examined genetic contributions to the construct of acute threat at two units of analysis within the RDoC framework: (1) neural circuits and (2) physiology.

Genetic structure and diversity of the endangered growling grass frog in a rapidly urbanizing region.

Two pervasive and fundamental impacts of urbanization are the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats. From a genetic perspective, these impacts manifest as reduced genetic diversity and ultimately reduced genetic viability. The growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis) is listed as vulnerable to extinction in Australia, and endangered in the state of Victoria.

Serine Phosphorylation of HIV-1 Vpu and Its Binding to Tetherin Regulates Interaction with Clathrin Adaptors.

HIV-1 Vpu prevents incorporation of tetherin (BST2/ CD317) into budding virions and targets it for ESCRT-dependent endosomal degradation via a clathrin-dependent process. This requires a variant acidic dileucine-sorting motif (ExxxLV) in Vpu. Structural studies demonstrate that recombinant Vpu/tetherin fusions can form a ternary complex with the clathrin adaptor AP-1.

Neurocognitive performance in unmedicated patients with hoarding disorder.

Objective: Hoarding disorder (HD) is an often incapacitating psychiatric illness associated with a wide range of neurocognitive abnormalities. Some prior neuropsychological studies have found executive dysfunction in HD, but no clear pattern has emerged. One potential reason for discrepant results in previous studies might be the inclusion of patients on psychotropic and other medications that can affect neurocognitive performance.

Dimensional structure and correlates of posttraumatic stress symptoms following suspected acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a heterogeneous construct, and some have suggested that PTSD triggered by acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may differ from PTSD due to prototypical traumas.

Methods: We conducted the first examination of the latent structure of PTSD symptoms after suspected ACS in 399 adults in the REactions to Acute Care and Hospitalization (REACH) study, an observational cohort study of patients recruited from the emergency department during evaluation for ACS. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we compared the 4-factor dysphoria, 4-factor numbing, and 5-factor dysphoric arousal models of PTSD.

Diffusion-driven proton exchange membrane fuel cell for converting fermenting biomass to electricity.

A membrane-integrated proton exchange membrane fuel cell that enables in situ fermentation of sugar to ethanol, diffusion-driven separation of ethanol, and its catalytic oxidation in a single continuous process is reported. The fuel cell consists of a fermentation chamber coupled to a direct ethanol fuel cell. The anode and fermentation chambers are separated by a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane.

Effect of Sampling Plans on the Risk of Escherichia coli O157 Illness.

Australia exports about 150,000 to 200,000 tons of manufacturing beef to the United States annually. Each lot is tested for Escherichia coli O157 using the N-60 sampling protocol, where 60 small pieces of surface meat from each lot of production are tested. A risk assessment of E.

Comorbidity of PTSD, Major Depression, and Substance Use Disorder Among Adolescent Victims of the Spring 2011 Tornadoes in Alabama and Joplin, Missouri.

Objective: The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to estimate the prevalence of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive episode (MDE), and substance use disorder (SUD); and (2) to identify risk factors for patterns of comorbidity among adolescents affected by disasters.

Method: A population-based sample of 2,000 adolescents (51% female; 71% Caucasian, 26% African American) aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.5, SD = 1.

Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Predict Onset of Cardiovascular Events in Women.

Background: Psychological stress is a proposed risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the sentinel stress-related mental disorder, occurs twice as frequently in women as men. However, whether PTSD contributes to CVD risk in women is not established.

Methods And Results: We examined trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms in relation to incident CVD over a 20-year period in 49 978 women in the Nurses' Health Study II.

Occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a standard of care.

Background: Consistent evidence from population studies report that 10-15% of the total burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with workplace exposures. This proportion of COPD could be eliminated if harmful workplace exposures were controlled adequately.

Aims: To produce a standard of care for clinicians, occupational health professionals, employers and employees on the identification and management of occupational COPD.

The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Workgroup: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Enters the Age of Large-Scale Genomic Collaboration.

The development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is influenced by genetic factors. Although there have been some replicated candidates, the identification of risk variants for PTSD has lagged behind genetic research of other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, and bipolar disorder. Psychiatric genetics has moved beyond examination of specific candidate genes in favor of the genome-wide association study (GWAS) strategy of very large numbers of samples, which allows for the discovery of previously unsuspected genes and molecular pathways.

A New Hierarchy of Phylogenetic Models Consistent with Heterogeneous Substitution Rates.

When the process underlying DNA substitutions varies across evolutionary history, some standard Markov models underlying phylogenetic methods are mathematically inconsistent. The most prominent example is the general time-reversible model (GTR) together with some, but not all, of its submodels. To rectify this deficiency, nonhomogeneous Lie Markov models have been identified as the class of models that are consistent in the face of a changing process of DNA substitutions regardless of taxon sampling.