Reduced mental capacity and behavior of a rider of a bicycle simulator under alcohol stress or under dual task load

Experiments were carried out on a bicycle simulator with alcohol administration and a binary choice task in separate sessions, intending to reduce the subject's mental capacity. Before and after such sessions a visual evoked response measurement was done. The subject's performance was analyzed with describing function techniques. The results indicate that the alcohol affects the course-following task as well as the balancing task. The binary choice task is more specifically influencing the course-following task. The dual task shows a more pronounced effect on the recovery of the evoked response. The alcohol is delaying the recovery curve of the evoked response. A tentative explanation can be given which agrees with the performance data

IEA WIND 2012 Annual Report

Contribution to this annual report of the IEA Wind Implementing Agreement. Here the JRC, as representative of the Commission, exposes the achievements in wind R&D supported by the Commission programmes (FP7, IEE). Subchapters 2, 3 and 4 of chapter 20 are the Commission's responsibility whereas subchapters 1 and 5 are EWEA's responsibilityJRC.F.6-Energy systems evaluatio

Improving coastal livelihoods through sustainable aquaculture practices - a report to the collaborative APEC Grouper Research and Development Network

Wild-harvest fisheries for live reef fish are largely over-exploited or unsustainable because of over-fishing and the widespread use of destructive fishing practices such as blast and cyanide fishing. Sustainable aquaculture – such as that of groupers – is one option for meeting the strong demand for reef fish, as well as potentially maintaining or improving the livelihoods of coastal communities. This report from a short study by the STREAM Initiative draws on secondary literature, media sources and four diverse case studies from at-risk reef fisheries, to frame a strategy for encouraging sustainable aquaculture as an alternative to destructive fishing practices. It was undertaken as a component of the APEC-funded project Collaborative Grouper Research and Development Network (FWG/01/2001) to better understand how recent technical advances in grouper culture and other complementary work – including that of the Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network (APMFAN) hosted by NACA – could better support the livelihoods of poor coastal communities. (PDF contains 49 pages

Two cAMP receptors activate common signaling pathways in Dictyostelium

Multiple signal transduction pathways within a single cell may share common components. In particular, seven different transmembrane helix receptors may activate identical pathways by interacting with the same G-proteins. Dictyostelium cells respond to cAMP using one such receptor, cARl, coupled by a typical heterotrimeric G-protein to intracellular effectors. However, cells in which the gene for cARl has been deleted are unexpectedly still able to respond to cAMP. This implies either that certain responses are mediated by a different receptor than cARl, or alternatively that a second, partially redundant receptor shares some of the functions of cARl. We have examined the dose response and ligand specificity of one response, cAMP relay, and the dose response of another, cyclic GMP synthesis. In each case, the EC50 was -100-fold higher and the maximal response was smaller in carl-than wild-type cells. These data indicate that cARl normally mediates responses to cAMP. The ligand specificity suggests that the responses seen in carl-mutants are mediated by a second receptor, cAR3. To test this hypothesis, we constructed a cell line containing deletions of both cARl and cAR3 genes. As predicted, these lines are totally insensitive to cAMP. We conclude that the functions of the cARl and cAR3 receptors are partially redundant and that both interact with the same heterotrimeric G-protein to mediate these and other responses. INTRODUCTION The multicellular development of Dictyostelium discoideum is controlled by extracellular cAMP. During growth and feeding the cells live separately; when they starve, certain cells start periodically emitting cAMP

The Gαq/11 Proteins Contribute to T Lymphocyte Migration by Promoting Turnover of Integrin LFA-1 through Recycling

The role of Gαi proteins coupled to chemokine receptors in directed migration of immune cells is well understood. In this study we show that the separate class of Gαq/11 proteins is required for the underlying ability of T cells to migrate both randomly and in a directed chemokine-dependent manner. Interfering with Gαq or Gα11 using dominant negative cDNA constructs or siRNA for Gαq causes accumulation of LFA-1 adhesions and stalled migration. Gαq/11 has an impact on LFA-1 expression at plasma membrane level and also on its internalization. Additionally Gαq co-localizes with LFA-1- and EEA1-expressing intracellular vesicles and partially with Rap1- but not Rab11-expressing vesicles. However the influence of Gαq is not confined to the vesicles that express it, as its reduction alters intracellular trafficking of other vesicles involved in recycling. In summary vesicle-associated Gαq/11 is required for the turnover of LFA-1 adhesion that is necessary for migration. These G proteins participate directly in the initial phase of recycling and this has an impact on later stages of the endo-exocytic pathway

KAJIAN KEBIJAKAN PENGELOLAAN PERIKANAN TANGKAP DI INDONESIA: MENUJU PEMBENTUKAN KAWASAN PERLINDUNGAN LAUT

Suatu studi melalui penelusuran pustaka dilakukan untuk mengkaji kebijakan pembangunan perikanan tangkap di lndonesia. Formulasi kebijakan perikanan tangkap Indonesia dikembangkanberdasarkan data 'catch-effort' dan model Tangkapan Maksimum Berimbang Lestari', MSY yang mengandung beberapa kelemahan, beresiko tinggi terhadap keberlanjutan dan keuntungan jangka panjang dari pengelolaan perikanan tangkap

Stress and its influence on reproduction in pigs: a review

The manifestations of stress, defined as a biological response to an event that the individual perceives as a threat to its homeostasis, are commonly linked to enhanced activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the activation of the sympathetic adreno-medullary (SA) system. Activation of the HPA system results in the secretion of peptides from the hypothalamus, principally corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin. ACTH induces the secretion of corticosteroids from the adrenal cortex, which can be seen in pigs exposed to acute physical and/or psychological stressors. The present paper is a review of studies on the influence of stressors on reproduction in pigs. The effects of stress on reproduction depend on the critical timing of stress, the genetic predisposition to stress, and the type of stress. The effect of stress on reproduction is also influenced by the duration of the responses induced by various stressors. Prolonged or chronic stress usually results in inhibition of reproduction, while the effects of transient or acute stress in certain cases is stimulatory (e.g. anoestrus), but in most cases is of impairment for reproduction. Most sensitive of the reproductive process are ovulation, expression of sexual behaviour and implantation of the embryo, since they are directly controlled by the neuroendocrine system