205 research outputs found
The influence of defined ante-mortem stressors on the early post-mortem biochemical processes in the abdominal muscle of the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The effects of four different ante-mortem stressors (exercise, emersion, starvation and a patent infection with the parasite Hematodinium sp.) on post-mortem processes have been investigated in the abdominal muscle of Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus by measuring changes in the pH, the levels of glycogen, l-lactate, arginine phosphate, ATP, ADP, AMP, IMP, HxR, Hx and the adenylate energy charge (AEC) over a time course of 24 h with samples being taken at 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. The acute stresses of intense exercise and 2 h emersion resulted in a premature onset of anaerobic glycolysis, leading both to an enhanced glycogen depletion rate and an early accumulation of l-lactate. The chronic stressors, starvation and parasite infection, resulted in a complete ante-mortem depletion of muscle glycogen and consequently the failure of post-mortem glycolytic fermentation. Post-mortem pH and ATP inter-conversion were significantly altered in chronically stressed animals. Ante-mortem, a rapid, almost complete depletion of arginine phosphate was observed in all stress groups. The AEC was altered significantly by all stresses, indicating a strong energy demand. The findings suggest that ante-mortem stressors strongly influence the post-mortem biochemical processes. The laboratory-based results are compared to 'field' data and effects on post-harvest product quality are discussed
Sloshing in High Speed Galaxy Interactions
Observations of lopsided spiral galaxies motivated us to explore whether the
rapid passage of a companion galaxy could cause them. We examine whether the
center of mass of the visible matter becomes displaced from the center of mass
of the dark halo during the intruder's passage, thereby causing an asymmetric
response and asymmetric structure. Two dimensional -body simulations
indicate that this can happen.
We also explore some consequences of this offset. These include the center of
mass of the visible disk following a decaying orbit around the halo center of
mass and the development of transient one-armed spirals that persist for up to
six rotation periods.
We then study the results of a variety of initial conditions based on such
offsets. We report on the results of several runs in which we initially offset
a disk from its halo's center of mass by an amount typical of the above
interaction. In some runs the halo is free to move, while in others it is held
fixed. We used three different mass distributions for the halo in these runs.
We find that the disk's center of mass spiraled inward creating a variety of
observed or observable phenomena including one-armed spirals, massive clumps of
particles, and counter-rotating waves. The systems settle into relatively
axisymmetric configurations. Whether or not the end states included a bar
depended on a variety of initial conditions.Comment: 20 text pages, 3 tables, 24 figures. A gzipped postscripped version
with higher resolution figures can be downloaded from
http://butch.umephy.maine.edu/kickers/Research/Sloshing/ . Accepted for
publication in The Astrophysical Journa
Incorporation of oxygen into the succinate co-product of iron(II) and 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenases from bacteria, plants and humans.
The ferrous iron and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) dependent oxygenases catalyse two electron oxidation reactions by coupling the oxidation of substrate to the oxidative decarboxylation of 2OG, giving succinate and carbon dioxide coproducts. The evidence available on the level of incorporation of one atom from dioxygen into succinate is inconclusive. Here, we demonstrate that five members of the 2OG oxygenase family, AlkB from Escherichia coli, anthocyanidin synthase and flavonol synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana, and prolyl hydroxylase domain enzyme 2 and factor inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor-1 from Homo sapiens all incorporate a single oxygen atom, almost exclusively derived from dioxygen, into the succinate co-product.<br /
Respiratory sequelae of COVID-19: pulmonary and extrapulmonary origins, and approaches to clinical care and rehabilitation
Although the exact prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID) is unknown, more than a third of patients with COVID-19 develop symptoms that persist for more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These sequelae are highly heterogeneous in nature and adversely affect multiple biological systems, although breathlessness is a frequently cited symptom. Specific pulmonary sequelae, including pulmonary fibrosis and thromboembolic disease, need careful assessment and might require particular investigations and treatments. COVID-19 outcomes in people with pre-existing respiratory conditions vary according to the nature and severity of the respiratory disease and how well it is controlled. Extrapulmonary complications such as reduced exercise tolerance and frailty might contribute to breathlessness in post-COVID-19 condition. Non-pharmacological therapeutic options, including adapted pulmonary rehabilitation programmes and physiotherapy techniques for breathing management, might help to attenuate breathlessness in people with post-COVID-19 condition. Further research is needed to understand the origins and course of respiratory symptoms and to develop effective therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies
Measuring spirometry in a lung cancer screening cohort highlights possible underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Introduction:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is underdiagnosed, and measurement of spirometry
alongside low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer is one strategy to
increase earlier diagnosis of this disease. //
Methods:
Ever-smokers at high risk of lung cancer were invited to the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial for a Lung
Health Check (LHC) comprising LDCT screening, pre-bronchodilator spirometry and smoking
cessation service. In this cross-sectional study we present data on participant demographics,
respiratory symptoms, lung function, emphysema on imaging and both self-reported and primary
care diagnoses of COPD. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with
possible underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of COPD in this population, with airflow obstruction (AO)
defined as FEV1/FVC ratio <0.70. //
Results:
Of 3,920 LHC attendees undergoing spirometry, 17% had undiagnosed AO with respiratory
symptoms, representing potentially undiagnosed COPD. Compared to those with a primary care
COPD code, this population had milder symptoms, better lung function, and were more likely to be
current smokers (p≤0.001 for all comparisons). Of 836 attendees with a primary care COPD code
who underwent spirometry, 19% did not have AO, potentially representing misdiagnosed COPD,
although symptom burden was high. //
Discussion:
Spirometry offered alongside LDCT screening can potentially identify cases of undiagnosed and
misdiagnosed COPD. Future research should assess the downstream impact of these findings to
determine if any meaningful changes to treatment and outcomes occurs, and also to assess the
impact on co-delivering spirometry on other parameters of LDCT screening performance such as
participation and adherence. Additionally, work is needed to better understand the aetiology of
respiratory symptoms in those with misdiagnosed COPD, to ensure this highly symptomatic group
receive evidence-based interventions
Differential modes of DNA binding by mismatch uracil DNA glycosylase from Escherichia coli: implications for abasic lesion processing and enzyme communication in the base excision repair pathway
Mismatch uracil DNA glycosylase (Mug) from Escherichia coli is an initiating enzyme in the base-excision repair pathway. As with other DNA glycosylases, the abasic product is potentially more harmful than the initial lesion. Since Mug is known to bind its product tightly, inhibiting enzyme turnover, understanding how Mug binds DNA is of significance when considering how Mug interacts with downstream enzymes in the base-excision repair pathway. We have demonstrated differential binding modes of Mug between its substrate and abasic DNA product using both band shift and fluorescence anisotropy assays. Mug binds its product cooperatively, and a stoichiometric analysis of DNA binding, catalytic activity and salt-dependence indicates that dimer formation is of functional significance in both catalytic activity and product binding. This is the first report of cooperativity in the uracil DNA glycosylase superfamily of enzymes, and forms the basis of product inhibition in Mug. It therefore provides a new perspective on abasic site protection and the findings are discussed in the context of downstream lesion processing and enzyme communication in the base excision repair pathway
The Vehicle, 1967, Vol. 9 no. 2
Table of Contents
Commentarypage 3
SketchAnn Butlerpage 4
I Take A Long-Out-of-Use BookAnthony Griggspage 5
The Leaf StemDianne Cochranpage 6
The Four MusketeersJim Courterpage 7
Status QuoAdrian Beardpage 7
SketchAnn Butlerpage 8
NocturneMike Baldwinpage 9
Oh Impatient HeartK. H. Shariffpage 9
Letter to a FianceeMaurice Snivelypage 10
Listen!Bonnie Blackpage 11
The Water\u27s EdgeStephen W. Gibbspage 12
TogetherDavid Reifpage 13
SketchAnn Butlerpage 14
Evening TimeSharon Nelsonpage 15
Japanese HaikuBev Hensonpage 15
Of Love and WarBruce Czeluscinskipage 16
Always AloneKib Voorheespage 17
the end of loveJackie Bratcherpage 18
1-20-66Sharon Nelsonpage 19
Blessed Are WeBonnie Marie Beckpage 19
The Time To LiveNeil Tracypage 20
Imminent AwakeningHelen Coxpage 21
The Dead Panther LairMolly J. Evanspage 21
Good SheepMike Tilfordpage 22
The Flame of LifeJacki Jacquespage 23
Then Arrives The Day Of DarkMolly J. Evanspage 23
Sketch: To love is to rememberAnn Butlerpage 24
Hidden RiversCharles J. Mertzpage 25
SilenceLinda G. Phillipspage 26
December - 1964Bonnie Blackpage 26
LoveHazel Thomaspage 27
To Praise A Good Man Neil Tracypage 28
Definitions \u2767Sharon Nelsonpage 29
To Wish Is a CrimeBonnie Marie Beckpage 30
College MadhatterMaurice Snivelypage 31
No. 8Sharon Nelsonpage 32
The Open FireSusan Williamspage 32https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1017/thumbnail.jp
Interrogating resilience: toward a typology to improve its operationalization
In the context of accelerated global change, the concept of resilience, with its roots in ecological theory and complex adaptive systems, has emerged as the favored framework for understanding and responding to the dynamics of change. Its transfer from ecological to social contexts, however, has led to the concept being interpreted in multiple ways across numerous disciplines causing significant challenges for its practical application. The aim of this paper is to improve conceptual clarity within resilience thinking so that resilience can be interpreted and articulated in ways that enhance its utility and explanatory power, not only theoretically but also operationally. We argue that the current confusion and ambiguity within resilience thinking is problematic for operationalizing the concept within policy making. To achieve our aim, we interrogate resilience interpretations used within a number of academic and practice domains in the forefront of contending with the disruptive and sometimes catastrophic effects of global change (primarily due to climate change) on ecological and human-nature systems. We demonstrate evolution and convergence among disciplines in the interpretations and theoretical underpinnings of resilience and in engagement with cross-scale considerations. From our analysis, we identify core conceptual elements to be considered in policy responses if resilience is to fulfill its potential in improving decision making for change. We offer an original classification of resilience definitions in current use and a typology of resilience interpretations. We conclude that resilience thinking must be open to alternative traditions and interpretations if it is to become a theoretically and operationally powerful paradigm
Towards an Economy of Higher Education
This paper draws a distinction between ways thinking and acting, and hence of policy and practice in higher education, in terms of different kinds of economy: economies of exchange and economies of excess. Crucial features of economies of exchange are outlined and their presence in prevailing conceptions of teaching and learning is illustrated. These are contrasted with other possible forms of practice, which in turn bring to light the nature of an economy of excess. In more philosophical terms, and to expand on the picture, economies of excess are elaborated with reference, first, to the understanding of alterity in the work of Emmanuel Levinas and, second, to the idea of Dionysian intensity that is to be found in Nietzsche. In the light of critical comment on some current directions in policy and practice, the implications of these ways of thinking for the administrator, the teacher and the student in higher education are explored
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