David W. Wright

Bio: David W. Wright is an academic researcher from Monash University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Hemozoin & Traumatic brain injury. The author has an hindex of 55, co-authored 386 publications receiving 10874 citations. Previous affiliations of David W. Wright include Duquesne University & Wilmington University.

Culture, Class, Distinction

Abstract: Drawing on the first systematic study of cultural capital in contemporary Britain, 'Culture, Class, Distinction' examines the role played by culture in the relationships between class, gender and ethnicity. Its findings promise a major revaluation of the legacy of Pierre Bourdieu's account of the relationships between class and culture.

Tau deficiency induces parkinsonism with dementia by impairing APP-mediated iron export

Abstract: The microtubule-associated protein tau has risk alleles for both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and mutations that cause brain degenerative diseases termed tauopathies Aggregated tau forms neurofibrillary tangles in these pathologies, but little is certain about the function of tau or its mode of involvement in pathogenesis Neuronal iron accumulation has been observed pathologically in the cortex in Alzheimer's disease, the substantia nigra (SN) in Parkinson's disease and various brain regions in the tauopathies Here we report that tau-knockout mice develop age-dependent brain atrophy, iron accumulation and SN neuronal loss, with concomitant cognitive deficits and parkinsonism These changes are prevented by oral treatment with a moderate iron chelator, clioquinol Amyloid precursor protein (APP) ferroxidase activity couples with surface ferroportin to export iron, but its activity is inhibited in Alzheimer's disease, thereby causing neuronal iron accumulation In primary neuronal culture, we found loss of tau also causes iron retention, by decreasing surface trafficking of APP Soluble tau levels fall in affected brain regions in Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies, and we found a similar decrease of soluble tau in the SN in both Parkinson's disease and the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model These data suggest that the loss of soluble tau could contribute to toxic neuronal iron accumulation in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and tauopathies, and that it can be rescued pharmacologically

Understanding Cultural Omnivorousness: Or, the Myth of the Cultural Omnivore

Abstract: The concept of omnivorousness has become influential in the sociologies of culture and consumption, cited variously as evidence of altered hierarchies in cultural participation and as indicative of broader socio-cultural changes. The ‘omnivore thesis’ contends that there is a sector of the population of western countries who do and like a greater variety of forms of culture than previously, and that this broad engagement reflects emerging values of tolerance and undermines snobbery. This article draws on the findings of a study of cultural participation in the UK to explore the coherence of the omnivore thesis. It uses a survey to identify and isolate omnivores, and then proceeds to explore the meanings of omnivorousness through the analysis of in-depth, qualitative interviews with them. It concludes that, while there is evidence of wide cultural participation within the UK, the figure of the omnivore is less singularly distinctive than some studies have suggested.

Mitotic factors from mammalian cells induce germinal vesicle breakdown and chromosome condensation in amphibian oocytes

Abstract: Cytoplasmic extracts of HeLa cells synchronized in various phases of the cell cycle were injected into fully grown Xenopus laevis oocytes to monitor the presence of factors that can induce meiotic maturation: i.e., germinal vesicle breakdown and chromosome condensation. Extracts from GI and S phase cells had no activity. The maturation-inducing activity, which was found to be low during early and mid G2 phases, increased rapidly during late G2 and reached a peak in mitosis. The results of this study suggest that the factors that regulate the breakdown of nuclear membrane and chromosome condensation during mitosis, meiosis, and premature chromosome condensation appear to be very similar, if not identical, throughout the animal kingdom.

Fast parallel algorithms for short-range molecular dynamics

Abstract: Three parallel algorithms for classical molecular dynamics are presented. The first assigns each processor a fixed subset of atoms; the second assigns each a fixed subset of inter-atomic forces to compute; the third assigns each a fixed spatial region. The algorithms are suitable for molecular dynamics models which can be difficult to parallelize efficiently—those with short-range forces where the neighbors of each atom change rapidly. They can be implemented on any distributed-memory parallel machine which allows for message-passing of data between independently executing processors. The algorithms are tested on a standard Lennard-Jones benchmark problem for system sizes ranging from 500 to 100,000,000 atoms on several parallel supercomputers--the nCUBE 2, Intel iPSC/860 and Paragon, and Cray T3D. Comparing the results to the fastest reported vectorized Cray Y-MP and C90 algorithm shows that the current generation of parallel machines is competitive with conventional vector supercomputers even for small problems. For large problems, the spatial algorithm achieves parallel efficiencies of 90% and a 1840-node Intel Paragon performs up to 165 faster than a single Cray C9O processor. Trade-offs between the three algorithms and guidelines for adapting them to more complex molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Quantum dot bioconjugates for imaging, labelling and sensing

Abstract: One of the fastest moving and most exciting interfaces of nanotechnology is the use of quantum dots (QDs) in biology. The unique optical properties of QDs make them appealing as in vivo and in vitro fluorophores in a variety of biological investigations, in which traditional fluorescent labels based on organic molecules fall short of providing long-term stability and simultaneous detection of multiple signals. The ability to make QDs water soluble and target them to specific biomolecules has led to promising applications in cellular labelling, deep-tissue imaging, assay labelling and as efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer donors. Despite recent progress, much work still needs to be done to achieve reproducible and robust surface functionalization and develop flexible bioconjugation techniques. In this review, we look at current methods for preparing QD bioconjugates as well as presenting an overview of applications. The potential of QDs in biology has just begun to be realized and new avenues will arise as our ability to manipulate these materials improves.