A neural network version of the measure correlate predict algorithm for estimating wind energy yield.

A neural network version of the measure correlate predict algorithm for estimating wind energy yiel

Genetics, Disparities, and Prostate Cancer

In 2005, more than 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be detected in the United States, and about 30,000 men will die from the disease. African American men are particularly hard-hit, dying from this disease at more than twice the rate of European Americans. The reasons for this racial/ethnic disparity are largely unknown, but probably involve an interaction among genetic, environmental, and social factors. This Issue Brief reviews current knowledge about the genetic basis of prostate cancer and summarizes ongoing research at Penn that investigates the role of genetics in prostate cancer treatment and outcomes

Virtual Spirit

The following reflects my personal beliefs, and does not prescribe them to you 1. Human and technological evolution coincide in a reciprocal cycle of creation 2. In its construction, technology reflects humans 3. In their construction, humans reflect technology 4. Both function in a constant exchange between material and immaterial realms 5. Technological objects generate virtual spaces a. Virtual space: artificially constructed immaterial space that contains products of technological engagement b. These spaces exist within both the individual and the external virtual realm 6. Human bodies generate spiritual spaces a. Spiritual space: organically constructed immaterial space that contains products of spiritual engagement b. These spaces exist within both the individual and the external spiritual realm 7. The current evolutionary trajectory points towards a merging of these technological objects and human bodies 8.The entanglement is already visible 9. As technological objects and human bodies merge, virtual and spiritual space also merge 10. The two immaterial realms coalesce into a larger whole a. Larger whole: a combination of the expansiveness of the human spirit and its intrinsic entanglement with technology 11. This synergy informs the everyday experience: a. Emotional b. Sensory c. Inter-personal d. Utilitarian e. Creative 12. Technology reinforces humanity, making humans more human, in an eternal circuit of becoming a. Eternal circuit of becoming: human and technological evolution coincide in a reciprocal cycle of creation 13. This is Virtual Spiri

Interactions between the dihydropyridine receptor beta1a subunit and the ryanodine receptor from skeletal muscle

Excitation-contraction (EC) coupling describes the process that links the excitatory action potential to muscle fibre contraction. Essential to this process is the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via the ligand gated ryanodine receptor (RyR) in the SR membrane. In cardiac muscle fibres, RyR2 (cardiac isoform) activation is initiated by Ca2+ entry through the cardiac L-type voltage-gated dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR). In contrast, EC coupling in skeletal muscle fibres requires a physical interaction between skeletal DHPR and RyR1 (skeletal isoform), although the physical components of this interaction are unclear. It had previously been shown that the C-terminus of the DHPR beta1a subunit strongly influences EC coupling in skeletal myotubes, since mutation of a heptad repeat motif (L478, V485 and V492) and C-terminal truncations > 29 residues reduce EC coupling. It has also been shown that the role of the C-terminal residues in EC coupling is likely via direct interaction with RyR1, because a polybasic K3495-R3502 motif in a RyR1 fragment (M3201-W3661) is important for beta1a association in pull-down assays and this region influences EC coupling in mouse myotubes. My previous work showed that a peptide (beta1a V490-M524) corresponding to the extreme 35 C-terminal residues directly increases RyR1 activity in planar lipid bilayers to the same level as beta1a subunit. One third of this peptide adopts an alpha-helix with a hydrophobic surface (residues L496, L500 and W503) on one side, which provides a putative RyR1 binding site. For this thesis I investigated the relative importance of the beta1a C-terminal heptad repeat and hydrophobic surface residues, and the RyR1 K3495-R3502 polybasic motif in the action of beta1a on RyR1 in lipid bilayers. I also compared the action of beta1a between RyR1 and RyR2, which was of particular interest given their systematic differences in receiving the EC coupling signal from DHPR. Cytosolic exposure of beta1a A474-A508 peptide (containing both the heptad repeat and hydrophobic surface residues) to native RyR1 channels increased channel activity by 2-fold, which was similar to the action of beta1a V490-M524 peptide. Alanine substitution of heptad repeat residues did not alter the action of beta1a A474-A508 peptide on RyR1. In contrast, alanine substitution of hydrophobic surface residues abolished the action of beta1a V490-M524 on RyR1 and reduced pull-down of RyR1 by 85%. Curiously, individual substitution of the hydrophobic surface residues abolished the effect of the beta1a V490-M524 peptide at +40 mV, but not at -40 mV. Overall, the results show that the modulatory action of beta1a on RyR1 depends on all three beta1a hydrophobic surface residues, but not the heptad repeat. The action of beta1a on RyR1 was abolished when the six basic residues in the RyR1 K3495-R3502 region were neutralised by mutation to glutamine residues. In addition and intriguingly, the beta1a subunit increased RyR2 activity in a similar manner as RyR1. This suggests that beta1a may bind to a hydrophobic pocket conserved in RyR1 and RyR2 and that is influenced by the presence of the polybasic K3495-R3502 motif

The Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy of Australia position on pre-manipulative testing for the cervical spine

The MPA undertook a survey of its members in 1997 to determine their compliance with and opinion of the APA Protocol for Pre-Manipulative Testing of the Cervical Spine (Magarey et al 2000a, Magarey et al submitted-a). As a result of that survey and a comprehensive literature review, the MPA developed a new set of guidelines for premanipulative procedures for the cervical spine (Magarey et al 2000b, Magarey et al submitted-b)

Preventive Surgery is Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk and Mortality in Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations

Women who have inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) genes have a substantially elevated risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. For more than 10 years, researchers have studied whether preventive surgery (to remove breasts, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes) can reduce the cancer and mortality risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. This Issue Brief summarizes the results of the latest, largest, multinational study on the effects of preventive surgery in these women. The results are consistent with earlier studies and provide strong evidence for the use of preventive surgery as an effective approach to managing this genetic risk

Interactive Effects of Elevated Ozone plus Carbon Dioxide on Duckweeds Exposed in Open-Top Chambers

Author Institution: Biology Department, Denison University ; USDA Forest ServiceThe response of Lemna minor L. andSpirodelapolyrhiza (L.) Schleiden to projected future ambient levels of O3 and CO2 was studied under field conditions. The two duckweed species were treated with either charcoal-filtered air (CF), ambient O3 (1XO3), twice ambient O (2XO ), twice ambient CO2 plus twice ambient O3 (2XCO2+2XO3), or chamberless open-air (OA). Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment I, L. minor was treated for 15 d with a cumulative O exposure of 14.4 ppm* h. No O effects were observed during Experiment I. Dry weight of individual fronds and photosynthesis per frond increased inZ. minor exposed to 2XCO2+2XO^- air. In Experiment II after 25 d of treatment (cumulative O3 exposure of 16.2 ppmh), negative effects of 2XO on the photosynthetic and growth rates of L. minor were observed. Dark respiration of Z. minor significantly increased in 2XO3-air compared with controls, but declined significantly in 2XCO2+2XO3-air compared to those grown in 2XO3-air. Photosynthesis and dry weight per frond increased in 2XCO2+2XO3-air when compared with all other treatments. Measurement of A/C. (assimilation versus intercellular CO2 concentration) curves in Z. minor showed a significant reduction in carboxylation efficiency and maximum rates of photosynthesis in 2XCO2+2XO3-air compared with other treatments when expressed per weight. No differences in carboxylation efficiency were detected between treatments when expressed per frond

Consumer understandings and attitudes towards local food: an exploration of australian consumers\u27 perspectives

Concerns exist about the sustainability of current globalised food systems, and have led to increased interest in alternative food systems. It has been argued that local food will reduce environmental impacts, provide consumer benefits of connection and health, and support local economies