Measuring the Effects of Pre-workout Supplementation on Resting Metabolic Rate

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The Interaction of Photoactivators with Proteins during Microfabrication

Micron-scale protein cross-linking or microfabrication has been carried out using an Nd3+–YAG laser as the excitation source. Fabrication is carried out by the excitation of photoactivators (Rose Bengal, methylene blue and 9-fluorenone-2-carboxylic acid) with the ultimate goal of creating stable structures that will serve as models for various applications (drug delivery and tissue engineering). Experimental parameters have been adjusted to minimize photodamage and maximize cross-linking efficiency. The higher than ideal photon flux and peak power necessitates the use of high protein concentrations to minimize photodamage. Rose Bengal and methylene blue are binding to proteins with high association constants (Ka ≈ 106 M−1) and both Rose Bengal and both 9-fluorenone-2-carboxylic acid are showing changes to their excited states in presence of proteins at cross-linking concentrations. Molecular docking studies show that Rose Bengal binds close to the tryptophan with ΔG = −6.15 kcal/mol

Rare case of coronary to pulmonary vein fistula with coronary steal phenomenon

Coronary artery fistulas are abnormal connections between coronary artery territories and cardiac chambers or major vessels, most of them are congenital. Patients with coronary artery fistula can be asymptomatic or present with different symptoms like angina. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is one of the best modalities for diagnosis. We present an elderly patient that presented with angina symptoms, non invasive stress test was positive for ischemic heart disease, coronary angiogram could not reveal any obstructive lesions, but an abnormal branch of the left descending coronary artery (LAD), cardiac CT showed fistula that connect left anterior descending coronary artery to left superior pulmonary vein. Our case is extremely rare as most of the reported cases were fistulas between LAD and pulmonary artery, but in our case the fistula between LAD and left superior pulmonary vein. In addition, our patients\u27 symptoms resolved with anti-ischemic medical treatment without any surgical intervention

Inference algorithms for gene networks: a statistical mechanics analysis

The inference of gene regulatory networks from high throughput gene expression data is one of the major challenges in systems biology. This paper aims at analysing and comparing two different algorithmic approaches. The first approach uses pairwise correlations between regulated and regulating genes; the second one uses message-passing techniques for inferring activating and inhibiting regulatory interactions. The performance of these two algorithms can be analysed theoretically on well-defined test sets, using tools from the statistical physics of disordered systems like the replica method. We find that the second algorithm outperforms the first one since it takes into account collective effects of multiple regulators

Understanding uncertainty in temperature effects on vector-borne disease: A Bayesian approach

Extrinsic environmental factors influence the distribution and population dynamics of many organisms, including insects that are of concern for human health and agriculture. This is particularly true for vector-borne infectious diseases, like malaria, which is a major source of morbidity and mortality in humans. Understanding the mechanistic links between environment and population processes for these diseases is key to predicting the consequences of climate change on transmission and for developing effective interventions. An important measure of the intensity of disease transmission is the reproductive number $R_0$. However, understanding the mechanisms linking $R_0$ and temperature, an environmental factor driving disease risk, can be challenging because the data available for parameterization are often poor. To address this we show how a Bayesian approach can help identify critical uncertainties in components of $R_0$ and how this uncertainty is propagated into the estimate of $R_0$. Most notably, we find that different parameters dominate the uncertainty at different temperature regimes: bite rate from 15-25$^\circ$ C; fecundity across all temperatures, but especially $\sim$25-32$^\circ$ C; mortality from 20-30$^\circ$ C; parasite development rate at $\sim$15-16$^\circ$C and again at $\sim$33-35$^\circ$C. Focusing empirical studies on these parameters and corresponding temperature ranges would be the most efficient way to improve estimates of $R_0$. While we focus on malaria, our methods apply to improving process-based models more generally, including epidemiological, physiological niche, and species distribution models.Comment: 27 pages, including 1 table and 3 figure

Magnetostrictive materials for aerospace applications

Structural health monitoring of composite structures to detect barely visible damage is vitally important for the aerospace industry. This research has investigated amorphous magnetostrictive wires (Fe77.5Si7.5B15 and Co72.5Si12.5B15), as a possible solution to monitoring aerospace composites. The different amorphous wires were either embedded into the composite or epoxied on to the surface. How the wires effected the structure of the composite along with ultimate tensile strength was studied. Inductance measurements were used to study the strain within the composite, which provided a non-intrusive method of monitoring the composite

All roads lead to Rome, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Advice on QSEP navigation from the ‘Roman Gods’ of assessment!

Rome was the point of convergence of all the main roads of the Roman Empire. When Roman emperor Caesar Augustus erected the ‘Milliarium Aureum’ (Golden Milestone) in the heart of Ancient Rome, all roads were designed to begin at the monument. Metaphorically, the ancient proverb ‘All roads lead to Rome’ means there are many different ways of reaching the same goal or conclusion. QSEP training is a bit like that, with trainees engaging with so many different types of clients, settings, cultures, approaches and interventions that no two portfolios of work look alike. Yet, the competency demonstration ‘end goal’ is the same. The ancient Romans were also wise; they knew that in building their Roman empire (or for us building relationships and competence as Sport and Exercise Psychologists), doing something important or creating a masterpiece takes the time it takes; ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ and, metaphorically, QSEP is not something to rush or smear with impatience either