Braid read-only memory

Transformer-type memory is fault-tolerant array of independent read-only memory units. Information pattern in each unit is written by weaving wires through array of linear (nonswitching) transformers. Presence or absence of a bit is determined by whether a given wire threads or bypasses given transformer

Qualitative accounts of urban commuter cycling

Purpose ‐ The purpose of this paper is to explore the live experiences of urban commuter cycling (UCC). Design/methodology/approach ‐ In semi-structured interviews, participants described day-to-day experiences of UCC in a single English city. Verbatim transcripts were coded using the themes of time, space, body and human relations, and interpreted through the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology. Findings ‐ The nine participants (seven males, two females) were aged 27 to 54. Each regularly commuted by bicycle at least three times per week for "18 months" to "27 years". Strong influences on commuter cycling included the weather, daily tasks, cycling infrastructure, driver behaviour and the value of cycling for physical and mental well being. The contest for space was central to the UCC experience, with UCCs sensing they lacked respect despite feeling that they were "embodying citizenship" by enacting public policy. Due to their regular negative experiences, many UCCs were now willing to quit cycling and commute by car. Research limitations/implications ‐ Findings are limited to regular commuter cyclists and do little to describe the passage into regular cycling. Practical applications ‐ This paper highlights that cycle promoters and health educators may profit from focusing on road user interactions during the rush hour. Originality/value ‐ This paper addresses the untold day-to-day experiences of UCCs

Analysis of the signalling mechanisms involved in Cell Wall Integrity maintenance in A.thaliana

The plant cell wall is a dynamic structure that has an integral role during plant development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. A cell wall integrity (CWI) maintenance mechanism in plants has been inferred. The aim of this study was to investigate the signalling mechanism that regulates the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to CWI impairment. Here I show that JA and SA levels increase after 3 and 5 hours (respectively) of CWI impairment. In order to determine the downstream functions of the different signalling mechanisms and their cross-talk upon CWI impairment; lignin deposition, JA & SA induction and root growth inhibition (RGI) phenotypes were used as downstream readouts. My results show that ROS are required for lignin deposition whereas JA & SA-based mechanisms are required to inhibit lignin deposition. ROS and JA act antagonistically to regulate downstream lignin deposition. In addition, a bi-phasic ROS-based signal is induced after CWI impairment, with the initial signal required for JA induction and the later signal required for inhibition of JA induction. H2O2 increased at the plasma membrane in the elongation zone of the root during CWI impairment, as determined by the genetically encoded probe HyPer. The functions of several RLKs in CWI maintenance were investigated. These included BAK1 and BIK1. Most of the mutant RLKs investigated affected one or two of the downstream readouts, highlighting the complexity of CWI signalling and demonstrating the involvement of elements of the innate immunity signalling. However, THE1 and XII7, mutant seedlings display altered responsiveness to all CWI impairment downstream readouts. These results suggest that these two RLKs represent key regulators of CWI maintenance. To summarise, the research piresented here has provided novel insights into the signalling mechanisms mediating the response to CWI impairment; has clarified the involvement of several RLKs whose functions had not been defined before and has shown that THE1 and XII7 are key regulators required for mediating all responses to CWI impairment.Open Acces

Doping in sport: a review of medical practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs.

BACKGROUND: Central to the work of many medical practitioners is the provision of pharmaceutical support for patients. Patients can include athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules and regulations which prohibit the use of certain substances in and out of competition. This paper examines the evidence on medical practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards doping in sport. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was followed. Research questions and relevance criteria were developed a priori. Potentially relevant studies were located through electronic and hand searches limited to English language articles published between 1990 and 2010. Articles were assessed for relevance by two independent assessors and the results of selected studies were abstracted and synthesised. Outcomes of interest were knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in relation to doping in sport. RESULTS: Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were examined in detail. Samples reflected a range of medical practitioners drawn from the UK, France (2), Greece, Italy and Ireland. The investigations varied with respect to outcome focus and quality of evidence presented. CONCLUSION: Whilst the extant empirical research posits a negative attitude towards illegal performance enhancement combined with a positive inclination towards doping prevention, it also exposes a limited knowledge of anti-doping rules and regulations. Insufficient education, leading to a lack of awareness and understanding, could render this professional group at risk of doping offences considering Article 2.8 of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code (WADC). Moreover, in light of the incongruence between professional medical codes and WADC Article 2.8, medical professionals may face doping dilemmas and therefore further discourse is required. At present, the current evidence-base makes it difficult to plan developmentally appropriate education to span the exposure spectrum. Addressing this situation appears warranted

Brain Resilience: Shedding Light into the Black Box of Adventure Processes

Understanding of the active beneficial processes of adventure learning remains elusive. Resilience may provide one foundation for understanding the positive adaptation derived from Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) and Adventure Therapy (AT) programming. From a neurological perspective, resilience may be explained by the brain’s innate capability to adapt its structure (growth of new cells) and function (re-wiring of existing cells) directly in response to environmental exposure. This paper explores the role of known brain responses to experiences analogous to adventure programming based on themes from a key literature review. The fundamental paradigm of ‘stress and recovery’ contends that a balance of neurobiological processes help realign psychosocial equilibrium in the short term and over time. Through progressive, repeated exposure to custom-built outdoor challenges, the concept of brain resilience may provide a scientific platform for understanding the mechanisms of achieving meaningful, authentic and healthy outcomes. It could also help to begin to illuminate a section of the black box of adventure processes