Dietary nitrate enhances the contractile properties of human skeletal muscle

Dietary nitrate, a source of nitric oxide (NO), improves the contractile properties of human muscle. We present the hypothesis that this is due to nitrosylation of the ryanodine receptor and increased NO signaling via the soluble guanyl cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G pathway, which together increase the free intracellular Ca concentration along with the Ca sensitivity of the myofilaments themselves

Safety Regulation in Professional Football: Empirical Evidence of Intended and Unintended Consequences

In response to increasing public awareness and negative long-term health effects of concussions, the National Football League implemented the “Crown-of-the-Helmet Rule” (CHR). The CHR imposes penalties on players who initiate contact using the top of the helmet. This paper examines the intended effect of this policy and its potential for unintended consequences. We find evidence supporting the intended effect of the policy- a reduction in weekly concussion reports among defensive players by as much as 32% (34% for all head and neck injuries), but also evidence of an increase in weekly lower extremity injury reports for offensive players by as much as 34%

A challenge to the Delta G~0 interpretation of hydrogen evolution

Platinum is a nearly perfect catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction, and its high activity has conventionally been explained by its close-to-thermoneutral hydrogen binding energy (G~0). However, many candidate non-precious metal catalysts bind hydrogen with similar strengths, but exhibit orders-of-magnitude lower activity for this reaction. In this study, we employ electronic structure methods that allow fully potential-dependent reaction barriers to be calculated, in order to develop a complete working picture of hydrogen evolution on platinum. Through the resulting ab initio microkinetic models, we assess the mechanistic origins of Pt's high activity. Surprisingly, we find that the G~0 hydrogen atoms are kinetically inert, and that the kinetically active hydrogen atoms have G's much weaker, similar to that of gold. These on-top hydrogens have particularly low barriers, which we compare to those of gold, explaining the high reaction rates, and the exponential variations in coverages can uniquely explain Pt's strong kinetic response to the applied potential. This explains the unique reactivity of Pt that is missed by conventional Sabatier analyses, and suggests true design criteria for non-precious alternatives

Assessing Decision-Making Capacity After Severe Brain Injury

Severe brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. Following severe brain injury diagnosis is difficult and errors frequently occur. Recent findings in clinical neuroscience may offer a solution. Neuroimaging has been used to detect preserved cognitive function and awareness in some patients clinically diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. Remarkably, neuroimaging has also been used to communicate with some vegetative patients through a series of yes/no questions. Some have speculated that, one day, this method may allow severely brain-injured patients to make medical decisions. Yet, skepticism is rife, due in part to the inherent difficulty of assessing decision-making capacity through neuroimaging communication. In this thesis, I provide the first systematic analysis of this problem. I present and defend a strategy for assessing decision-making capacity in brain-injured patients who can only communicate through neuroimaging

Simon & Samwise: Big Damn Heroes

Joss Whedon’s seminal TV show Firefly, based on Michael Shaara’s book The Killer Angels, has interesting parallels to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. In both tales, nine disparate people band together on a journey to topple a tyrannical force while protecting a hero burdened with the means to end the struggle against a mighty oppressor. Each hero is blessed with a loyal protector who fiercely defends his charge from threats from within their fellowship and from the world at large. A closer look will reveal the similarities between River Tam and Frodo Baggins and between the staunch protectors who love them, River’s brother Dr. Simon Tam and Frodo’s gardener Samwise Gamgee. In both Firefly and The Lord of the Rings, threats to River and Frodo come from within their fellowships, as Boromir and mercenary Jayne Cobb betray the heroes in the course of their journey. The repercussions of these acts have long-lasting effects on both men. By analyzing the storylines in both Firefly and Serenity, the film that ended the series, it is possible to chart the evolution of Simon Tam from adoring older brother into a hero willing to sacrifice his career and life to save River from the Alliance, which has turned River into an assassin through brain-washing as well as radical brain surgery. Throughout the series Simon investigates the cause of the changes in River and works to counteract them. Thus, the viewer watches Simon act as a paternal protector to River, as she becomes more lucid within the story. Compare this relationship to that of Frodo the Ring-bearer and his gardener Samwise, who pledges to aid him as he journeys to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Throughout their travels, Frodo’s physical and mental strength fails him, causing him to become increasingly dependent on the aid of Samwise. Thus, the reader watches Sam assume more of the burden of carrying the One Ring, until he physically carries Frodo to the end of their journey. Despite the inversion of power found between River (waxing) and Frodo (waning), both Simon Tam and Samwise Gamgee become more than they ever would have been had they not assumed the twin roles of protector and advocate for those in their charge. It is the love of these guardians that allows their burdened charges to complete their quests, thus freeing their worlds from the darkness that threatens them

Teasing apart the threads of staple strength

A successful partnership between two local inventors and Agriculture WA\u27s Wool Program has created a new instrument which, just like the growth rings of trees, can show seasonal changes in the fibre diameter of wool. This will have considerable value to the wool industry as Andrew Peterson explains

OFDA2000 Brings major changes for wool industry

The classing of any wool clip into lines of uniform quality is a crucial step in optimising the value of the wool. Objective Clip Preparation (OCP) standards and training of wool classers lave led to the Australian wool clip being internationally recognised as the best classed and prepared wool in the world. However, adherence to OCP standards of clip preparation still leads to a substantial range in diameter and crimp frequency of fleeces within the main lines. Therefore, an opportunity has existed to develop improved technology to reduce the variation in quality within any main line, create lines of even greater uniformity, and to better meet the needs of wool users such as the topmaker, the spinner and weaver. Agriculture Western Australia, in collaboration with BSC Electronics, is at the forefront of developing new technology that can completely change the way wool is classed at shearing. This new technology, namely the OFDA2000, offers a radical improvement to this crucial stage of wool quality management