A computational exploration of resilience and evolvability of protein–protein interaction networks

Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks represent complex intra-cellular protein interactions, and the presence or absence of such interactions can lead to biological changes in an organism. Recent network-based approaches have shown that a phenotype’s PPI network’s resilience to environmental perturbations is related to its placement in the tree of life; though we still do not know how or why certain intra-cellular factors can bring about this resilience. Here, we explore the influence of gene expression and network properties on PPI networks’ resilience. We use publicly available data of PPIs for E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and H. sapiens, where we compute changes in network resilience as new nodes (proteins) are added to the networks under three node addition mechanisms—random, degree-based, and gene-expression-based attachments. By calculating the resilience of the resulting networks, we estimate the effectiveness of these node addition mechanisms. We demonstrate that adding nodes with gene-expression-based preferential attachment (as opposed to random or degree-based) preserves and can increase the original resilience of PPI network in all three species, regardless of gene expression distribution or network structure. These findings introduce a general notion of prospective resilience, which highlights the key role of network structures in understanding the evolvability of phenotypic traits

Laboratory-based ergometry for swimmers: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION: First widely available dry-land training machines for swimmers were introduced about 40 years ago. They were designed so that swimmers could perform resistance exercise whilst more-closely replicating the movements of swimming, than when using other gymnasium-based resistance training machines. This narrative review categorises and summarises what has been shown by the studies that have utilised laboratory-based ergometry for swimmers. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Scopus (1970-2018) and relevant publications were included. Publications were grouped into 4 main areas of research: (i) physiological responses to exercise, (ii) functional evaluation of swimmers, (iii) monitoring of training, and (iv) muscular work output of swimmers. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Significant differences were showed between swim bench exercise and real swimming, especially in regard to the muscles involved. The difficulties of accurate reproduction of the movements and coordinated dynamic actions of swimming have not been overcome. Nevertheless, the literature shows that the use of these devices has provided a valuablecontribution to swimming physiology, while overcoming difficulties presented by attempting to make physiological measurements in the water. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of its limitations, laboratory-based ergometry has allowed a valuable contribution to the understanding of the physiology, effects of training and efficiency of swimming

Problems with cold work Proceedings from an international symposium held in Stockholm, Sweden, Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden, November 16-20, 1997

First International Symposium on Problems with cold work at Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden, Stockholm, Sweden on November 16-20, 1997. Organised by, National Institute for Working Life, Solna, Sweden in co-operation with National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, USA; National Institute of Occupational Health, Moscow, Russia; National Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan, under the auspices of International Labour Organisation, International Commission on Occupational Health, International Union of Circumpolar Health. In many countries the cold season of the year comprises climatic conditions well below normal indoor temperatures. Throughout the world the processing and storage of alimentary products require low temperatures, usually at 2 to 10 ¡C for fresh food and below -25 ¡C for frozen food. Cold is a hazard to health and represents a risk of getting cold injuries. Cold interferes with work and may impair performance and productivity. The long-term effects of years of exposure to cold as well as the health effects of living and working in cold climates are not readily understood. The symposium dealt with the problems encountered by people exposed to cold either naturally or in artificial environments. The symposium was the result of work of many persons. The international program committee and the national organising committee are acknowledged for their contributions, suggestions and work. Financial support has been given by the National Institute for Working Life, the Council for Work Life Research, the National Board of Health and Welfare, Taiga AB, Triconor and Arbesko. International programme committee: Ingvar Holmér, Sweden, Rallema Afanasieva, Russia, George Conway, USA, Barbara Griefahn, Germany, Murray Hamlet, USA, Juhani Hassi, Finland, George Havenith, Netherlands, Bengt W Johansson, Sweden, Desmond Lugg, Australia, Ruth Nielsen, Denmark, Ken Parsons, United Kingdom, Arvid Påsche, Norway, Peter Tikuisis, Canada, Yutaka Tochihara, Japan National organising committee: Ingvar Holmér, John Abeysekera, Ulf Bergh, Ulf Björnstig, Christina Ekeberg, Staffan Gyllerup, Anders Kjellberg, Hans Lundgren, Ronnie Lundström. Representing: National Institute for Working Life, Defence Research Establishment, ColdTech, Technical University of Luleå, University of Umeå

Occupational exposure to cold thermal environments: a field study in Portugal

Abstract The present work is essentially dedicated to the study of cold thermal environments. The analysis includes 32 industrial units from 6 activity sectors and the measurements were carried out in 101 workplaces. Different environmental conditions were identified and a clear relationship with the different types of workplaces was established. The work environments were thus allocated to three typical exposure categories corresponding to freezing and refrigerating cold stores and free-running or controlled air temperature manufacturing workplaces. In order to characterize the level of cold exposure, the method proposed by ISO/TR 11079, Technical Report, 1st edn, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva (1993) was adopted. The results for each activity sector demonstrate that a significant percentage of workers are repeatedly exposed to extreme conditions with insufficient clothing insulation. A value between 20 and 40% corresponds to the most critical situation, where the selected clothing ensemble does not provide adequate insulation (I clr < IREQ min). The ideal scenario, represented by I clr values between IREQ min and IREQ neutral, shows the lowest percentages with an overall result of only 10%. When all the sectors are considered together, from a total of 3,667 workers, about one-third (1,151) are exposed to the cold. Among the workplaces under analysis, 14 are characterized by a continuous exposure greater than the DLE neutral. Those who work under such conditions, on average, have a time shift 60 min longer than the calculated DLE value