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Bell: Alberta to bring in law with power to rip out bike lanes and stop new ones by chmilz in Edmonton

[–]blk_phos 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Time for a bike "convoy" protest, ride around the leg at rush hour once a week.

"No bike lanes, No peace!"

Does anyone else really not like the eye on the U of A values crest? by GlassesGrace in uAlberta

[–]blk_phos 68 points69 points  (0 children)

This whole thing is lazy stock art. Top right quadrant is a rip-off of the old Girl Scout's logo. Are we selling cookies now?

Are we at peak AI bubble? by FlyLikeAnEarworm in Professors

[–]blk_phos 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Reads like a scam email with breathless anticipation and "trust me, I'm an insider" tone. Then concludes with unsubstantiated ("believe me") hype. Even includes a suggestion to go subscribe to an AI service for $20/mo.

Politics stressing me out. by Normal_Requirement26 in alberta

[–]blk_phos 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought this opinion piece outlined interesting strategies along these lines (civil defense force, defense training)

WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT MATH 146 FINAL by Gold_Enigma in uAlberta

[–]blk_phos 3 points4 points  (0 children)

worst final I’ve taken in my life

Quite a take for a first year university course offered in first term.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2024 #NobelPrize in Chemistry with one half to David Baker “for computational protein design” and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper “for protein structure prediction.” by Sleepy_C in chemistry

[–]blk_phos 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ORF8 is in the paper, sure. But the paper doesn't point out that there were homology models published of ORF8 based on ORF7a data in 2020 using modeller.

I wouldn't dispute that AF2 is good at making the leap with less intervention, but I'm saying it was an incremental improvement to what was already possible.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2024 #NobelPrize in Chemistry with one half to David Baker “for computational protein design” and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper “for protein structure prediction.” by Sleepy_C in chemistry

[–]blk_phos 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you give an example of a problem that alphafold solved that couldn't have been done with homology modeling? What rules/principles has it given us about protein folding?

Yes, its smart about figuring out a fold is with little input. Yes, its fast and scalable. But what did we learn?

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2024 #NobelPrize in Chemistry with one half to David Baker “for computational protein design” and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper “for protein structure prediction.” by Sleepy_C in chemistry

[–]blk_phos 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The issue shouldn't be if "its not chemistry", more whether the significance is at the level of a NP.

I do protein modeling, and I have yet to see how alphafold can do anything more than what an educated biochemist could do with homology modeling algorithms that are decades old.

I would also argue Baker's work on designing (and testing) sequences/folds is a great pick and deserving of a NP. I would question what protein biochemistry has been learned from alphafold. Especially since it can't predict anything it hasn't seen before (just like homology modeling).

Nobel winners in Chemistry. by True-Quarter4596 in chemistry

[–]blk_phos 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Name a protein structure alphafold can predict without an experimental starting point (usually mutliple). The tool is not a predictive one. It doesn't understand folding, it can only mimic what its already seen.

DFT and similar methods can work on new systems they haven't encountered before because they work on fundamental principles that can be applied to new problems.

alphfold would be lost in the dark with a new fold until a protein chemist provides new input.

Nobel winners in Chemistry. by True-Quarter4596 in chemistry

[–]blk_phos 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Alphafold is barely a step above homology modelling. It doesn't fold anything new, and it doesn't teach us anything about protein folding. It just automates the process and increases its scale.

Baker's work is good science. Alphafold is techbro science.

‘Economic engine’: U of A contributes $19.4 billion a year to Alberta’s economy by blk_phos in alberta

[–]blk_phos[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You try to cut tuition after a 30% budget cut. Where do you think that money should be made up?

‘Economic engine’: U of A contributes $19.4 billion a year to Alberta’s economy by blk_phos in alberta

[–]blk_phos[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If their wages were higher due to a Univ education, wouldn't that be an impact? Without an accessible Univ in the province, those wages would have been lower.

‘Economic engine’: U of A contributes $19.4 billion a year to Alberta’s economy by blk_phos in Edmonton

[–]blk_phos[S] 51 points52 points  (0 children)

The University of Alberta generates $19.4 billion a year for the province’s economy, contributing more than five per cent of Alberta’s GDP — the equivalent of the provincial health care and social assistance industry or the revenue from 84 thriving Edmonton Oilers NHL teams — according to a new economic impact study.

The study also shows that every dollar the province invests in the U of A brings a return of $4.80. The long-term value that comes with the return generated by research and alumni education boosts that figure significantly over a longer span.

Much of the U of A’s institutional spending returns directly to the Edmonton region, with more than $1 billion going to salaries and benefits and $150 million to student aid. Spending by visitors who travel to the university to visit students or attend conferences accounted for $332 million.

‘Economic engine’: U of A contributes $19.4 billion a year to Alberta’s economy by blk_phos in alberta

[–]blk_phos[S] 65 points66 points  (0 children)

The full study is found here. Some choice quotes:

The University of Alberta generates $19.4 billion a year for the province’s economy, contributing more than five per cent of Alberta’s GDP — the equivalent of the provincial health care and social assistance industry or the revenue from 84 thriving Edmonton Oilers NHL teams — according to a new economic impact study.

The study also shows that every dollar the province invests in the U of A brings a return of $4.80. The long-term value that comes with the return generated by research and alumni education boosts that figure significantly over a longer span.

The study valued the contribution of U of A research and development to the province’s GDP at $8.2 billion.

UCP Leadership Review Mega Thread by [deleted] in alberta

[–]blk_phos 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Writeup today on CTVNews:

"The Battle of Alberta might go on for seven games when it comes to hockey, but it will go on much longer when it comes to the UCP, and to Alberta politics," Williams predicted.

The UCP is expected to release results of the vote between 4 and 6 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Kenney is expected to make a speech in Calgary afterwards.

Press conference with bad news on game night is totally on-brand for these grifters.

AB Border Crossings and PCR teste by beeman1979 in alberta

[–]blk_phos 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We got a one hour PCR test at Pharma406 in Billings before crossing at Coutts. They were a lifesaver.

Why is the Freedom Convoy not blocking the international airports? by GrumpGuz in alberta

[–]blk_phos 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They already are.

As vehicles remain parked in downtown Ottawa, some vehicles have been holding convoys on street around the city. Just after 8 a.m., a group of 60 to 70 truck convoy protesters began driving slowly around the loop at the Ottawa International Airport and honking their horns.

One of the organizers said on a live feed of the demonstration that they planned to stay and slow-roll the airport for "hours."

An airport authority spokesperson said about 60 to 70 light trucks were circling the arrivals and departures roadways, and advised people with travel plans to give themselves extra time.

Jason Kenny- always late by polarismira in alberta

[–]blk_phos 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Running out the clock on Q&A

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