11 research outputs found
The resolution and representation of time series in Banach space
We describe a systematic procedure to calculate the resolvent operator for a
linear pencil on Banach space and thereby simplify, unify and extend known
methods for resolution and representation of marginally stable time series. We
pay particular attention to those time series commonly known as unit root
processes. The new method uses infinite-length Jordan chains to find the key
spectral separation projections which enable separation and solution of the
fundamental equations for the Laurent series coefficients of the resolvent. It
is then possible to define the desired Granger-Johansen representation for the
time series. The method remains valid when the resolvent has an isolated
essential singularity at unity.Comment: 45 pages, no figure
Sub-Telomere Directed Gene Expression during Initiation of Invasive Aspergillosis
Aspergillus fumigatus is a common mould whose spores are a
component of the normal airborne flora. Immune dysfunction permits developmental
growth of inhaled spores in the human lung causing aspergillosis, a significant
threat to human health in the form of allergic, and life-threatening invasive
infections. The success of A. fumigatus as a pathogen is unique
among close phylogenetic relatives and is poorly characterised at the molecular
level. Recent genome sequencing of several Aspergillus species
provides an exceptional opportunity to analyse fungal virulence attributes
within a genomic and evolutionary context. To identify genes preferentially
expressed during adaptation to the mammalian host niche, we generated multiple
gene expression profiles from minute samplings of A. fumigatus
germlings during initiation of murine infection. They reveal a highly
co-ordinated A. fumigatus gene expression programme, governing
metabolic and physiological adaptation, which allows the organism to prosper
within the mammalian niche. As functions of phylogenetic conservation and
genetic locus, 28% and 30%, respectively, of the
A. fumigatus subtelomeric and lineage-specific gene
repertoires are induced relative to laboratory culture, and physically clustered
genes including loci directing pseurotin, gliotoxin and siderophore biosyntheses
are a prominent feature. Locationally biased A. fumigatus gene
expression is not prompted by in vitro iron limitation, acid,
alkaline, anaerobic or oxidative stress. However, subtelomeric gene expression
is favoured following ex vivo neutrophil exposure and in
comparative analyses of richly and poorly nourished laboratory cultured
germlings. We found remarkable concordance between the A.
fumigatus host-adaptation transcriptome and those resulting from
in vitro iron depletion, alkaline shift, nitrogen
starvation and loss of the methyltransferase LaeA. This first transcriptional
snapshot of a fungal genome during initiation of mammalian infection provides
the global perspective required to direct much-needed diagnostic and therapeutic
strategies and reveals genome organisation and subtelomeric diversity as
potential driving forces in the evolution of pathogenicity in the genus
Aspergillus
The market potential for in-conversion organic products in Ireland.
End of Project ReportThis report deals with the market for and financial feasibility of converting from conventional to organic food production in Ireland. All members of the organic supply chain were included in the study i.e. farmers, intermediaries, retailers and consumers, to examine the potential of a market for conversion grade produce. Conversion products are those produced in the second year of the conversion phase from conventional to organic farming. Products do not attain full organic status until this is completed.This research was carried out within the European Commission’s Fifth Framework Programme (project “CONVERSION” QLK-2000-01112)
Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) and hygiene control auditing in Irish beef abattoirs
End of Project ReportThis project validated two innovative technologies for use in improving the
safety of Irish beef. Online monitoring was developed and successfully tested
as a tool for controlling faecal contamination on beef carcasses with the
resultant reduction in microbial counts. A novel anti-microbial, LactiSAL®,
was also tested and validated for use in the beef industry.
Sponge swabbing using a polyurethane sponge was developed and validated
for use in carcass testing as required in European Commission Decision
2001/471/EC. The costs of developing and implementing a HACCP system in
Irish beef slaughter plants were assessed. Furthermore, a guide to relevant
food safety legislation, including the development and auditing of HACCP
and prerequisites for beef slaughter (in compliance with 2001/471/EC and
the European Commission Hygiene Regulations), was developed and
published
The GJRT for auto-regressive time series on Banach space
We prove a generalized Granger–Johansen representation theorem (GJRT)
for finite or infinite order integrated auto-regressive time series on Banach space
The Market Potential for in-conversion organic products in Ireland.
End of Project ReportThis report deals with the market for and financial feasibility of converting
from conventional to organic food production in Ireland. All members of the
organic supply chain were included in the study i.e. farmers, intermediaries,
retailers and consumers, to examine the potential of a market for conversion
grade produce. Conversion products are those produced in the second year of
the conversion phase from conventional to organic farming. Products do not
attain full organic status until this is completed.European Union Fifth Framework Programm
Exercise intensity-dependent regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α mRNA abundance is associated with differential activation of upstream signalling kinases in human skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle contraction increases intracellular ATP turnover, calcium flux, and mechanical stress, initiating signal transduction pathways that modulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)-dependent transcriptional programmes. The purpose of this study was to determine if the intensity of exercise regulates PGC-1α expression in human skeletal muscle, coincident with activation of signalling cascades known to regulate PGC-1α transcription. Eight sedentary males expended 400 kcal (1674 kj) during a single bout of cycle ergometer exercise on two separate occasions at either 40% (LO) or 80% (HI) of. Skeletal muscle biopsies from the m. vastus lateralis were taken at rest and at +0, +3 and +19 h after exercise. Energy expenditure during exercise was similar between trials, but the high intensity bout was shorter in duration (LO, 69.9 ± 4.0 min; HI, 36.0 ± 2.2 min, P < 0.05) and had a higher rate of glycogen utilization (P < 0.05). PGC-1α mRNA abundance increased in an intensity-dependent manner +3 h after exercise (LO, 3.8-fold; HI, 10.2-fold, P < 0.05). AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (2.8-fold, P < 0.05) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) phosphorylation (84%, P < 0.05) increased immediately after HI but not LO. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation increased after both trials (∼2.0-fold, P < 0.05), but phosphorylation of the downstream transcription factor, activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2), increased only after HI (2.4-fold, P < 0.05). Cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation was elevated at +3 h after both trials (∼80%, P < 0.05) and class IIa histone deacetylase (HDAC) phosphorylation increased only after HI (2.0-fold, P < 0.05). In conclusion, exercise intensity regulates PGC-1α mRNA abundance in human skeletal muscle in response to a single bout of exercise. This effect is mediated by differential activation of multiple signalling pathways, with ATF-2 and HDAC phosphorylation proposed as key intensity-dependent mediators