arhalon

[arhalon]

Progress Update

Plans have changed a little bit.

The first phase of the website architecture update is complete.

The software pre-alpha launch is still a work a progress. It is not expected to be available on August 1 and the software will most likely be restricted to a mac release at first.

Progress and further research, nevertheless, is going nicely.

As one of the goals for this year a first public announcement is likely on top of the private announcements.

[arhalon]

Second Half of 2021 Schedule

July 1 - 2021

An architecture update for the website. No cosmetic update at this time.

August 1 - Pre-Alpha Invites Sent Out (First Round)

Select people. Restricted system requirements. Limited features.

October 1 - Extended Pre-Alpha Invites

Extended invite list. Broader system requirements. Expanded features.

December 1.

By this time it will be determined when there is going to be a public release. This will be mostly based on feedback from early users such as bugs experienced, how useful the version they tested was, etcetera.

At some point, probably in early 2022 there will be new graphics for the site and a full relaunch.

The development situation is dependent on a lot of factors and is subject to change.

[arhalon]

2021 Update

Software Development Architecture.

The new software development architecture is currently being studied and new information will be posted on it, most likely later this year.

[arhalon]

2020 is hindsight.

[arhalon]

A note for the 2020 years end.

And so a year of great upheaval comes to a close. Here’s one of the brighter spots in the year’s news: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201224113116.htm

[arhalon]

A very interesting interview with Thomas Wheeler. Also, gives some insights into people he worked with like Frank Miller and Katherine Langford.

[arhalon]

Hydrogel Research - an interesting work to move stem cells into practical use and more common medical application

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/tau-nhw020420.php

[arhalon]

Always nice to see the work that’s on in the last several years.

A link to their paper:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acel.13100

Researchers Identify Gene with Functional Role in Aging of Eye

In mouse studies, a “methylation clock” on the ELOVL2 gene ticks toward impaired vision, but when gene expression was boosted, age-related visual function improved

A lengthy-named gene called Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids Protein 2 or ELOVL2 is an established biomarker of age. In a new paper, published online January 14, 2020 in the journal Aging Cell, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine say the gene appears to play a key role in age-associated functional and anatomical aging in vivo in mouse retinas, a finding that has direct relevance to age-related eye diseases.

Specifically, the research team, led by senior author Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD, assistant professor in the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology at UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute, found that an age-related decrease in ELOVL2 gene expression was associated with increased DNA methylation of its promoter. Methylation is a simple biochemical process in which groups of carbon and hydrogen atoms are transferred from one substance to another. In the case of DNA, methylation of regulatory regions negatively impacts expression of the gene.

When researchers reversed hypermethylation in vivo, they boosted ELOVL2 expression and rescued age-related decline in visual function in mice. “These findings indicate that ELOVL2 actively regulates aging in mouse retina, provides a molecular link between polyunsaturated fatty acids elongation and visual functions, and suggests novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of age-related eye diseases,” wrote the authors.

ELOVL2 is involved in production of long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are used in several crucial biological functions, such as energy production, inflammation response and maintenance of cell membrane integrity. The gene is found in humans as well as mice.

Confocal microscope image of mouse retina sparkling with fluorescent molecules. Image courtesy of Keunyoung Kim, Wonkyu Ju and Mark Ellisman, all of the National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research at UC San Diego.

In particular, ELOVL2 regulates levels of docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid abundantly found in the brain and retina. DHA is associated with a number of beneficial effects. Notably, its presence in photoreceptors in eyes promotes healthy retinal function, protects against damage from bright light or oxidative stress and has been linked to improving a variety of vision conditions, from age-related macular (AMD) degeneration to diabetic eye disease and dry eyes.

Skowronska-Krawczyk said the work demonstrated for the first time that a “methylation clock” gene had a functional role in the aging of an organ. In this case, the eye. DNA methylation is used throughout the human body, essentially turning biological switches on an off to maximize efficient operation. It has key regulatory roles in the body’s cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive and detoxification systems.

In recent years, there has been much work and progress in identifying possible biomarkers that predict the biological age (not chronological) of individuals. Such biomarkers would be useful in identifying risk and status of age-related diseases. ELOVL2 is among the genes attracting greatest interest.  

“I have been asked whether I think ELOVL2 is the aging gene,” said Skowronska-Krawczyk. “After thinking about it, it is not unreasonable to think that lower ELOVL2 expression might be at the basis for many age-related conditions. Future work in our lab will address that question.”

“Researchers Identify Gene with Functional Role in Aging of Eye“

[arhalon]

I’ve got to remember this guy, he’s got a perhaps complimentary approach to environmentalism to mine if not the same in some ways.

[arhalon]

Not much for reblogging, but this is so succinct about a topic I’ve given a lot of thought to that I wanted to conserve the consideration.

Burnout are common. This is why salaries are so high for software engineer other wise nobody would show up for the job

[arhalon]

More interesting Java documentation.

[arhalon]

Odds and Ends of Java Programming. This often isn’t covered in academic courses from my experience.

[arhalon]

Very very interesting and with huge medical implications.

[arhalon]

An interesting part of the Java Programming language.

[arhalon]

Happy New Year 2020

Nothing more to say on this post.

[arhalon]

Updates on New Years Eve December 31st 2019

• The general development framework (GDF) now has an interface in development, and how it’s going to connect to other files has been mostly settled with room for further drafts and additions available.

• There isn’t a decision on a proper term for the GDF yet. The GDF includes techniques and procedures as well as tools. This will define ArHaLon’s method and strategy for engineering the various work products it will release.

• The GDF is internal, but beginning in 2020 ArHaLon expects to produce at least two designs (possibly several more) all or in part built with these tools although the ones currently scheduled go directly to clients who want to use them and therefore information about them will be limited by confidentiality concerns. There may be some GDF related work that is directly released to the public or to some greater degree documented going forward in 2020, but that hasn’t been worked out yet.

• Development of lightray will fall into place over the next few years, but is as it stands a good number more years from completion than the GDF.

[arhalon]

Comet

November 1-December 31 or until January 1 as needed.  ;)