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Genetics

Using genetics to make best use of wind and solar in electrical systems – ScienceBlog.com (blog)

Scientists from the University of Geneva are using the rules of genetics to better understand how to incorporate wind and solar power into the current electrical grid to produce a renewable power system. The researchers published their study in IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica (JAS), a joint publication of the IEEE and the Chinese Association of Automation.

Integration of intermittent generation into the electric network is a challenging task, as supply must always match demand, said Tim Mareda, a doctoral student at University of Geneva and an author on the paper.

The researchers examined the problems of wind and solar power reliability, storage, and delivery to areas with high demand for power across a large-scale area, such as Europe. Mareda and his team used Europes existing transmission map to create a grid of equally sized and spaced cells. They then simulated the mismatch between power generation and use every hour from years of electricity consumption data, and also estimated typical solar and wind generation.

To process this information, the researchers created an algorithm with set parameters, including the grids physical reach, the produced power of the renewable units, the storage capacity, and the ability of the system to charge and discharge power.

Designed to optimize the power exchange and use of available solar and wind power, the algorithm is derived from biology. Genes mutate, or share information, or select a specific output, to solve biological problems. It may not be the best solution for the entire body, but it provides a good solution for the individual genes. Mareda and his group used the same principles to optimize power generation and dispatch decisions through the simulated grid system, and they found it worked well.

From a technical perspective, and within our model assumptions, expanding the spatial distribution of weather-driven power sources is an effective way to manage intermittent generation, said Mareda. He noted that his teams study results are specific to Europe, but their approach can be used to study intermittent generation in any location.

Mareda and team plan to explore how wind and solar power systems could be coupled between different regions as a part of a large-scale renewable integration strategy.

Long term planning is crucial when evaluating options, Mareda said. Distributed generation harvested from wind and solar power can expand through both locally defined integration strategies and through large-scale power system designs. The paradigms are not mutually exclusive, and all options should be carefully considered to achieve a successful transition to a fully sustainable power system.

###

Fulltext of the paper is available:

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=7894136 http://html.rhhz.net/ieee-jas/html/20170213.htm

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Using genetics to make best use of wind and solar in electrical systems - ScienceBlog.com (blog)

Human Behavior

The Secret to Finding Your Passion Is the Opposite of What You’ve Been Told – Inc.com

Like many Millennials, I was told I could become whatever I wanted to be when I grew up. Before the age of ten I cycled through dreams of acting, singing, and becoming a veterinary pharmacist (true story).

Trying to find my passion was a near-obsession that followed me into adulthood. Ironically, all along I ignored what was naturally good at, including my knack for empathy, my love for writing, and an incurable curiosity about human behavior.

They say hindsight is 20/20, so today I clearly see how these strengths shaped my career. But for a long time, I searched for my passion as if it was a lost treasure chest that I simply needed a map to find.

Despite what we're told, passion is something that unfolds over time. It's discovered through life experiences. Your "dream job" isn't an exact destination, either. It's constantly evolving. The ideal career when you're in your early 30s may eventually become a poor fit, even by the time you turn 40.

So what do you do if you have no idea what your passion or life calling is?

First, don't panic. Finding your purpose doesn't happen overnight. It's a messy, iterative undertaking that takes time, patience, and a healthy dose of self-reflection. You'll get there, but you have to start by taking small steps.

That starts by asking yourself some key questions about how your past experiences, struggles, and triumphs have shaped you.

For each of the prompts below, write for a minimum of five minutes. Don't censor yourself. Write freely. Jot down whatever comes to mind, no matter how silly it seems.

These powerful questions can help you strip away limiting beliefs to find your true calling--work you find deeply meaningful. That doesn't mean it'll be easy, but it will be rewarding.

At the end of the day, introspection isn't enough. You have to take consistent action to make your dreams a reality. But when you take the time to look inward, you may be surprised by what you find. Your passion might have been waiting there all along, just waiting for you to light the spark.

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The Secret to Finding Your Passion Is the Opposite of What You've Been Told - Inc.com

Embryology

When the Pope says we have a responsibility to care for creation – Patheos (blog)

and does the standard Catholic thing of making use of the best of human knowledge in navigating the signs of the times, the experts on Prudential Judgment in the Right Wing Noise Machine say Shut up! What do you know about climate science?

Strangely, they do not say that when he makes remarks pertaining to embryology and gynecology in Humanae Vitae, nor when he talks about things pertaining to evolutionary science in Humani Generis. Nor do they deem St. Thomas to be worthless junk merely because he too relies on the best that the fallible Aristotle, Averroes, and Avicenna have to say.

No. Its only when the pope makes use of human wisdom in teaching things the Right Wing Noise Machine wants to scream down that we suddenly hear that unless its an infallible definition about something religiousy sounding, the pope should shut up. So in addition to teaching on our relationship with Creation (which is, in fact, well within the Churchs tradition and the competence of the Magisterium), we are also told that the pope should shut up about everything pertaining to money and economics since, in John Zmiraks famously arrogant and dismissive phrase ordination is not an economics degree. Similarly, we heard that the pope was an ivory tower ninny who was incompetent to say the Iraq war was a terrible idea. And the Church was a pack of ivory tower ninnies on the matter of torture too. Refugees? Where does the Church get off giving sanctuary to the desperate stranger when our just and wise White Supremacist-in-Chief prudently says of Syrian children I will look them in the face and tell them they cant come. And indeed, on virtually every point of Catholic social doctrine that is not about abortion or homosexuality or a radically distorted form of subsidiarity called libertarian dogma, postmodern conservatism and its court prophets do not merely ignore but actively make war on the Churchs social teaching.

But when a GOP congressman hands down the fatwa that if climate change is real, God will take care of it, these same court prophets pull their chins and thank this agent of Caesar for enlightening the Church with true wisdom about trusting God by doing nothing to disturb oil or coal companies.

Lets try it with other things, shall we?

If abortion is a problem, God will take care of it. If terrorism is a problem, God will take care of it. If illegal immigration is a problem, God will take care of it. If euthanasia is a problem, God will take care of it. If embryonic stem cell research is a problem, God will take care of it. If gay marriage is a problem, God will take care of it. If Mexico bringing crime, drugs and rapists is a problem, God will take care of it. If Obamacare is a problem, God will take care of it. If religious liberty is a problem, God will take care of it. If putting a loaded gun to my head and pulling the trigger is a problem, God will take care of it. If jumping off the parapet of the temple because Satan told me to in order to see if God loves me is a problem, God will take care of it.

The phrase this Congressman and his deeply Christian court prophets are looking for is inshallah. Except that Muslims are not *that* passive to the Divine Will since they also recognize the proverb Trust Allah, but tie up your camel.

Meanwhile, here in the West, people who actually know Christian theology and not this dimestore bastardized pietism understand that You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. If climate change is a problem, as 97% of climate scientists and Holy Church warn it is (along with the rest of the civilized world) it is our prudent responsibility to address it as stewards of creation, not weary God with stupid lies as this Congressman does.

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When the Pope says we have a responsibility to care for creation - Patheos (blog)

Cell Biology

UIC to open new center dedicated for stem cell and regenerative medicine – News-Medical.net

June 6, 2017

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine will launch a new center that will focus on understanding tissue regeneration and pioneering future developments in stem cell biology as a means to repair diseased organs and tissues.

The center will partner with colleges and departments across the University of Illinois System.

Researchers in the new center will investigate the molecular signals that drive stem cells to mature into different cell types, such as blood, heart and blood vessel cells. The center will also study the epigenetic regulation of stem cells; determine the best approaches to transplant engineered cells, tissues and organs; and look for ways to efficiently produce the regenerative cells needed for novel treatments.

"The center will use a team-oriented multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates experts in biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering and the clinical sciences to investigate stem cell biology and tissue regeneration," says Asrar Malik, the Schweppe Family Distinguished Professor and head of pharmacology, who is guiding the effort. A search is underway to recruit a director and additional faculty members, he said.

The current program in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine already includes seven faculty members, most within the department of pharmacology, who together have more than $10 million in research grants from the National Institutes of Health. Malik said that the "intent in the next few years will be to carry out additional recruitments with other departments, to build from this interdisciplinary foundation and capitalize on our strengths."

Three new faculty members have joined the center in the last two years. Owen Tamplin studies stem cells in zebrafish; Konstandin Pajcini investigates the role of stem cells in the development of leukemia; and Jae-Won Shin engineers stem cells and tissues with an eye towards transplantation.

This will be the only dedicated stem cell and regenerative medicine center in Chicago with a focus on basic biology and translational science, and will affirm UIC's leadership role in these fields, and help attract additional talent to our team, said Malik.

The opening of the center will be commemorated with a June 12 symposium on stem cell and regenerative medicine from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Faculty Alumni Lounge, UIC College of Medicine West building, 1853 W. Polk Street.

Speakers include:

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Posted in: Life Sciences News

Tags: Biochemistry, Blood, Blood Vessel, Cell, Epigenetic, Eye, Gene, Genetics, Heart, Heart Disease, Leukemia, Ophthalmology, Pharmacology, Retinal Degeneration, Stem Cell, Transplant, Tumor

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UIC to open new center dedicated for stem cell and regenerative medicine - News-Medical.net

Cell Biology

‘Hail Mary’ Mechanism Can Rescue Cells with Severely Damaged Chromosomes, Researchers Say – Scicasts (press release) (blog)

Santa Cruz, CA (Scicasts) The DNA vital to the life of a cell is packaged in chromosomes, and a variety of checkpoints, repair mechanisms, and other cellular safeguards exist to maintain the integrity of the chromosomes during cell growth and division. Those safeguards can fail, however, and a cell may find itself trying to divide into two daughter cells with a loose chromosomal fragment drifting away from a broken chromosome.

William Sullivan calls this a "worst case scenario" for the cell. The potential consequences include cell death or a cancerous cell growing out of control. But Sullivan, a professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UC Santa Cruz, has found that the cell still has one more trick up its sleeve to rescue the broken chromosome.

The latest findings from Sullivan's lab, published in the June 5 issue of Journal of Cell Biology, reveal new aspects of a remarkable mechanism that carries broken chromosomes through the process of cell division so that they can be repaired and function normally in the daughter cells. Sullivan has been studying this process in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. His lab has created a strain of flies in which broken chromosomes are common due to the expression of a DNA-cutting enzyme.

"We have flies in which 80 percent of the cells have double-strand breaks in the DNA, and the flies are fine," he said. "The cell has this amazing mechanism, like a Hail Mary pass with time running out."

The mechanism involves the creation of a DNA tether which acts as a lifeline to keep the broken fragment connected to the chromosome. Powerful new microscopy techniques enable researchers to observe the whole process in living cells, with bright fluorescent tags highlighting the chromosomes and other cellular components.

When a cell divides, it duplicates its chromosomes to make one set for each of the daughter cells. The membrane around the nucleus, which keeps the chromosomes separate from the rest of the cell, breaks down. The two sets of chromosomes then line up and segregate to opposite sides of the cell, pulled apart by a structure of microtubules called the spindle. A new nuclear envelope forms around each set of chromosomes, and new cell membranes separate the two daughter cells.

Sullivan's research has shown that chromosome fragments don't segregate with the rest of the chromosomes, but get pulled in later just before the newly forming nuclear membrane closes. "The DNA tether seems to keep the nuclear envelope from closing, and then the chromosome fragment just glides right in at the last moment," Sullivan said.

If this mechanism fails, however, and the chromosome fragment gets left outside the nucleus, the consequences are dire. The fragment forms a "micronucleus" with its own membrane and becomes prone to extensive rearrangements of its genetic material, which can then be reincorporated into chromosomes during the next cell division. Micronuclei and genetic rearrangements are commonly seen in cancer cells.

"We want to understand the mechanism that keeps that from happening," Sullivan said. "We are currently identifying the genes responsible for generating the DNA tether, which could be promising novel targets for the next generation of cancer therapies."

Sullivan has just received a new four-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to continue this research.

Graduate student Travis Karg is first author of the new paper, which shows that spindle microtubules play an important role in driving the delayed segregation of chromosome fragments. The other coauthors, in addition to Sullivan, are Mary Williard Elting and Sophie Dumont at UC San Francisco and Hannah Vicars at UC Santa Cruz. This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Article adapted from a University of California - Santa Cruz news release.

Publication: The chromokinesin Klp3a and microtubules facilitate acentric chromosome segregation. Travis Karg et al. Journal of Cell Biology (2017): Click here to view.

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'Hail Mary' Mechanism Can Rescue Cells with Severely Damaged Chromosomes, Researchers Say - Scicasts (press release) (blog)

Anatomy

Can You Identify Each ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season By Its Opening Shot? (QUIZ) – Wetpaint

Credit: ABC

Think you know the lives of the Grey Sloan docs forwardand backward? Well find out!

For this Greys Anatomy quiz, you have to match each season with its very first shot or, at least, the very first shot with a series regular actor.

Which season started off on a shot of Jo Wilson? Which one kicked off with Derek Shepherd behind the wheel? Which three seasons began with Meredith Grey waking up? You tell us!

Greys Anatomy returns for Season 14 this fall on ABC.

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Can You Identify Each 'Grey's Anatomy' Season By Its Opening Shot? (QUIZ) - Wetpaint

Anatomy

Anatomy of a Goal: Alan Gordon’s Game-winner – Massive Report

Welcome to the Anatomy of a Goal, where each week we dissect one goal (or near goal) from the previous weeks Columbus Crew SC match.

For match 16 of the 2017 MLS Season, we take a look at Alan Gordons 86th minute headed goal that put the Colorado Rapids up 2-1 as part of the win over Columbus Crew SC on Saturday.

Heres a look at the finish from the Rapids forward.

The Black & Gold once again gave up a late lead as Colorado striker Kevin Doyle tied the game in the 80th minute. While Columbus held a significant possession edge over the Rapids, Crew SC were ultimately unable to break down a stingy Colorado defense, and were unable to adapt to a sloppy high press.

It was difficult to decide which of this games three goals to review. Federico Higuains opener was the result of a fortunate deflection and Doyles equalizer was another breakdown by the Columbus defense. Gordons game-winner, however, shows why the Colorado striker was a fixture on multiple MLS Cup-winning teams.

The Rapids game-winner begins with midfielder Micheal Azira. Azira received the ball on a throw-in and is under very little pressure from Columbus, defending in two distinct banks. The Colorado midfielder has time to survey his options and take the ball at the Crew SC defense, a short pass to Mohammed Saeid or a cross-field switch to left back Eric Miller.

Azira goes for the most difficult option, and switches the ball to a totally unmarked Miller as the Black & Gold defense watch. The Rapids pushed multiple players up to the Columbus 18-yard box, forcing Harrison Afful to fall back and defend Colorado winger Josh Gatt.

Because Gatt forced Afful to defend further up the field, Miller has acres of space to carry the ball forward. Wil Trapp, seeing the space ahead of Miller, begins to close off the Rapid left backs movement.

As Miller and Trapp continue to move toward each other, Gatt checks back to his teammate. Afful sticks with the speedy Colorado winger, staying between Gatt and the goal.

As Trapp approaches, Miller makes the simple pass to Gatt, who is defended by Afful. Notice in this image and the following images that Afful gives Gatt space on the ball but stays between the Rapid winger and the goal. Afful is likely aware of Gatts reputation as a speedy player, and intelligently gives just enough space to keep Gatt from trying to beat him at speed.

Now, Gordons work begins. Highlighted at the top of the 18-yard box, Gordon is in the channel between Jonathan Mensah and Alex Crognale. Jonathan is currently occupied by Caleb Calvert. Gordon, who feasts on crosses, is likely trying his best to avoid the taller Crognale, and will switch places with Calvert.

Afful stays between Gatt and the goal, as Trapp shifts over to provide defensive help, keeping the Colorado winger about 35 yards from the goal. You can see that Crognale is aware of Gordons positioning, but is giving the Rapid striker a yard or two of space, while Calvert continues to occupy Jonathan.

Affuls goal in this defensive sequence is to prevent Gatt from going around him or to force a cross from a difficult distance or angle. The Crew SC right back, with the help of Trapp, does both of those things, forcing Gatt to send in a long cross.

In the box, Gordon has backed up directly into Jonathan. Crognale will not really mark anyone on this play.

As Gatt prepares to cross the ball into the box for the game-winning assist, lets take a closer look at Gordons move to get separation from Jonathan before we break it down.

In the left-most magnifier, Trapp and Afful have closed down Gatt, and force him to make a difficult, though successful, cross. It is difficult to see Gordon, but you can just make out his right leg to the right of Jonathan. Here, Gordon and the defender are fully engaged, with the Black & Gold center back right on the Rapid strikers back.

As Gordon prepares for a cross, he gets just to the right of Jonathan. The Colorado striker will engage Mensah and then push the Columbus center back off of him, creating space and very briefly putting Jonathan off balance.

Gatts difficult ball leaves his foot while Gordon extends his left arm, beginning to separate himself from Jonathan.

As the claret-highlighted ball travels toward his head, Gordon has fully knocked Jonathan off balance. The Crew SC defenders chief mistake here is letting Gordon get between him and the goal. On Jonathans goal-side shoulder, Gordon can more easily read the pass and clear up anything on the back post. As Jonathan saw Waylon Francis come to mark Calvert, he should have immediately repositioned himself between Gordon and the goal.

Now, Gordon can gauge the trajectory of the ball while Jonathan is forced to recover and decide whether to cover the Rapid striker or to attempt to play the ball. Zack Steffen is caught in a difficult place between attempting to defend a headed ball and trying to grab the ball out of the air. As Steffen gains more experience, he will have to make a much quicker decision on whether to play the shot or the cross.

Jonathan decides to jump in an attempt to either play the ball or distract Gordon, but all he does is get in the way of his goalkeeper. Steffen is blocked by Jonathan and Gordon has a perfect view of the balls path...

...and is able to head home the game-winner by barely jumping.

On video, you can see that Gordon gets so much separation that he barely has to jump in order to nail the game-winner.

Findings:

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Anatomy of a Goal: Alan Gordon's Game-winner - Massive Report

Anatomy

Mitosis: Anatomy of a Custom Keyboard – Hackaday

Ergonomic. Wireless. Low-latency. Minimalist. Efficient. How far do you go when you design your own open-source keyboard? Checking off these boxes and providing the means for others to do so, Redditor [reverse_bias] presents the Mitosis keyboard, and this thing is cool.

The custom, split as the namesake implies mechanical keyboard has 23 keys on each 10 cm x 10 cm half, and, naturally, a custom keymapping for optimal personal use.

Upper and lower PCBs host the keys and electronic circuits respectively, contributing to the sleek finished look. Key caps and mechanical switches were ripped from sacrificial boards: two Waveshare core51822 Bluetooth modules are used for communication, with a third module paired with a Pro Micro make up the receiver.[reverse_bias] spent a fair bit of time attempting to minimize the power consumption of the keyboard so it could be powered by a pair of coin batteries, giving it an estimated six month lifespan of daily use. These are pinched between the upper and lower boards by little dabs of solder and the slight spring tension of the boards themselves. However, a bit of de-soldering is required to change the battery.

Laser-cut adhesive neoprene adorns the base, proving a comfortable springiness, grip, and protection for the pins as well as cushioning from any debris on the desk. The final product has almost zero flex, has a low enough profile to negate the need for a wrist rest. If youre interested in building your own, [reverse_bias] has linked all the relevant files here.

Of course, one could always go the opposite way and opt for a more heavyweight option.

[Thanks for the tip, Tyberius Prime!]

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Mitosis: Anatomy of a Custom Keyboard - Hackaday

Anatomy

‘Grey’s Anatomy Season 14’ spoilers: Dr. Robbins deals with another heartbreak – Blasting News

It's the all new "#Grey's Anatomy" Season 14 coming this fall, and Dr. Arizona Robbins (#Jessica Capshaw) still hasn't found the one. Trust everyone to have concluded Dr. Eliza Minnick's (Marika Dominzyck) role in her life as the former's love interest on the show. In the final episode of "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13, Eliza got fired hence speculations that it could be the doctor's character exit from the show.

Dr. Eliza Minnick, a certified orthopedic surgeon, arrived at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as a hired consultant by the hospital. She was a great doctor that is never welcomed by the resident doctors of Grey Sloan.

She became Arizona's love interest after she made clear she's interested in women. Despite Eliza's level-headed nature, Arizona was challenged and gave their budding relationship a try.

The show's Season 13 featured all the reason why Dr. Arizona Robbins and Dr. Eliza Minnick are the perfect pair, until the latter received the news that she's fired from the hospital. Surprised by the sudden decision, Robbins can't offer any help to Minnick who is bound to leave the hospital anytime and worse, say goodbye to their relationship.

Arizona Robbins was formerly married to Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), also an orthopedic surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. During their marriage, Robbins hooked up with another doctor that turned everything upside down.

After their divorce was finalized, Torres character left for New York to pursue a better medical practice, and that's how her character on "Grey's Anatomy Season 12" was let go.

Shortly after leaving the show Sara Ramirez revealed she's bisexual, but that has not changed the fans' eagerness to have her back on the show. In fact, after Eliza Minnick is fired from Grey Sloan, fans are hopeful; it will pave way to the return of Callie Torres character. Show runner Shonda Rhimes has not given any formal statement about the character of Eliza Minnick, nor her firing from the job constitutes to leaving the show.

Meanwhile, ABC has confirmed the return of "Grey's Anatomy" Season 14 this fall and expect an all new story in the lives of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital doctors. Watch Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and the rest of the cast perk up your Thursdays at 8 PM on the ABC channel. #Grey Anatomy

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'Grey's Anatomy Season 14' spoilers: Dr. Robbins deals with another heartbreak - Blasting News

Immunology

Allergy/Immunology articles: The New England Journal of …

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Allergy/Immunology articles: The New England Journal of ...