The Coronal Analysis of SHocks and Waves (CASHeW) Framework

Coronal Bright Fronts (CBF) are large-scale wavelike disturbances in the solar corona, related to solar eruptions. They are observed in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light as transient bright fronts of finite width, propagating away from the eruption source. Recent studies of individual solar eruptive events have used EUV observations of CBFs and metric radio type II burst observations to show the intimate connection between low coronal waves and coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven shocks. EUV imaging with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly(AIA) instrument on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has proven particularly useful for detecting CBFs, which, combined with radio and in situ observations, holds great promise for early CME-driven shock characterization capability. This characterization can further be automated, and related to models of particle acceleration to produce estimates of particle fluxes in the corona and in the near Earth environment early in events. We present a framework for the Coronal Analysis of SHocks and Waves (CASHeW). It combines analysis of NASA Heliophysics System Observatory data products and relevant data-driven models, into an automated system for the characterization of off-limb coronal waves and shocks and the evaluation of their capability to accelerate solar energetic particles (SEPs). The system utilizes EUV observations and models written in the Interactive Data Language (IDL). In addition, it leverages analysis tools from the SolarSoft package of libraries, as well as third party libraries. We have tested the CASHeW framework on a representative list of coronal bright front events. Here we present its features, as well as initial results. With this framework, we hope to contribute to the overall understanding of coronal shock waves, their importance for energetic particle acceleration, as well as to the better ability to forecast SEP events fluxes.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate (SWSC

Empirical Analysis and Modelling of Information and Communications Technology in Agriculture for Southern Ontario, Canada

Information and communications technology (ICT) represents an important enabling technology for on-farm operations that helps to maximise yield and minimise on-farm inputs. This study investigates the adoption factors and coverage characteristics of ICT in Southern Ontario. A set of eight site and situation adoption factors were identified explaining 57% of the variation in agricultural high-speed Internet utilisation for Southern Ontario. ICT coverage was assessed through service carrier and band factors, and their presence in rural settlements. Findings of the research indicate that there exists a digital divide among settlements in Southern Ontario and recommendations for targeted policy and investment in infrastructure are proposed to bridge the gap

Critical Role for the Host GTPase-Activating Protein ARAP2 in InlB-Mediated Entry of Listeria monocytogenes

The bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes causes food-borne illnesses culminating in gastroenteritis, meningitis, or abortion. Listeria induces its internalization into some mammalian cells through binding of the bacterial surface protein InlB to the host receptor tyrosine kinase Met. Interaction of InlB with the Met receptor elicits host downstream signaling pathways that promote F-actin cytoskeletal changes responsible for pathogen engulfment. Here we show that the mammalian signaling protein ARAP2 plays a critical role in cytoskeletal remodeling and internalization of Listeria. Depletion of ARAP2 through RNA interference (RNAi) caused a marked inhibition of InlB-mediated F-actin rearrangements and bacterial entry. ARAP2 contains multiple functional domains, including a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain that antagonizes the GTPase Arf6 and a domain capable of binding the GTPase RhoA. Genetic data indicated roles for both the Arf GAP and RhoA binding domains in Listeria entry. Experiments involving Arf6 RNAi or a constitutively activated allele of Arf6 demonstrated that one of the ways in which ARAP2 promotes bacterial uptake is by restraining the activity of Arf6. Conversely, Rho activity was dispensable for Listeria internalization, suggesting that the RhoA binding domain in ARAP2 acts by engaging a host ligand other than Rho proteins. Collectively, our findings indicate that ARAP2 promotes InlB-mediated entry of Listeria, in part, by antagonizing the host GTPase Arf6

The effect of glycopyrrolate on the course of symptomatic duodenal ulcer

A double-blind controlled study of the effect of glycopyrrolate on 46 patients with duodenal ulcer is reported.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44362/1/10620_2005_Article_BF02233256.pd