Absence Of Suppression Research Articles

Pathways and drivers of canopy accession across primary temperate forests of Europe

Canopy accession strategies reveal much about tree life histories and forest stand dynamics. However, the protracted nature of ascending to the canopy makes direct observation challenging. We use a reconstructive approach based on an extensive tree ring database to study the variability of canopy accession patterns of dominant tree species (Abies alba, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies) in temperate mountain forests of Europe and elucidate how disturbance histories, climate, and topography affect canopy accession. All four species exhibited high variability of radial growth histories leading to canopy accession and indicated varying levels of shade tolerance. Individuals of all four species survived at least 100 years of initial suppression. Fir and particularly beech, however, survived longer periods of initial suppression, exhibited more release events, and reached the canopy later on average, with a larger share of trees accessing the canopy after initially suppressed growth. These results indicate the superior shade tolerance of beech and fir compared to spruce and maple. The two less shade-tolerant species conversely relied on faster growth rates, revealing their competitive advantage in non-suppressed conditions. Additionally, spruce from higher-elevation spruce-dominated forests survived shorter periods of initial shading and exhibited fewer releases, with a larger share of trees reaching the canopy after open canopy recruitment (i.e. in absence of suppression) and no subsequent releases compared to spruce growing in lower-elevation mixed forests. Finally, disturbance factors were identified as the primary driver of canopy accession, whereby disturbances accelerate canopy accession and consequently regulate competitive interactions. Intensifying disturbance regimes could thus promote shifts in species composition, particularly in favour of faster-growing, more light-demanding species.

A resolution of the monopole problem in the Rh = ct Universe

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in grand unified theories is thought to have produced an exceedingly large number of magnetic monopoles in the early Universe. In the absence of suppression or annihilation, these very massive particles should be dominating the cosmic energy budget today, but none has ever been found. Inflation was invented in part to dilute their number, thereby rendering their density undetectable by current instruments. Should the inflationary paradigm not survive, however, the ensuing disagreement between theory and observation would constitute a cosmological ‘monopole problem’ and create further tension for any extension to the standard model of particle physics. But as is also true for all horizon problems, a monopole overabundance emerges only in cosmologies with an initial period of deceleration. We show that the alternative Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker cosmology known as the Rh=ct universe completely eliminates all such anomalies rather trivially and naturally, without the need for an inflated expansion. We find that the monopole energy density today would be completely undetectable in Rh=ct. Evidence continues to grow that the zero active mass condition from general relativity ought to be an essential ingredient in ΛCDM.

PMON94 Collision tumor with Rathke cleft cyst and co existing Cushing's disease

Abstract Introduction - Collision tumors, i.e., co-occurring distinct histopathological lesions are rare. We present a case of a 48-year-old female present with co-existing Rathke cleft cyst (RCC) and pituitary adenoma with Cushing disease. Case - 48-year-old female presented for evaluation of an incidental sellar mass with enlarged pituitary noted on MRI brain. The patient complained of symptoms of mental fogginess, confusion, intermittent dizziness for the last 1 year. The patient had complained of easy bruising with no reported weight gain, change in facial appearance, proximal muscle weakness. MRI brain showed mildly enlarged pituitary measuring 13 mm with RCC.Past medical history was significant for recent-onset Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension. The examination was unremarkable with no signs of Cushing's syndrome. Lab work showed elevated ACTH of 51 pg/ml (10-48) with AM cortisol level of 14.7 mcg/dl (6- 18.4). IGF-1 levels elevated at 307 ng/ml (77- 220). LH, FSH, FT4, prolactin levels were normal. Given elevated ACTH levels, further testing showed elevated midnight salivary cortisol at 0.22 and 0.239 mcg/dl (0.010-0.090), elevated 24-hour urine cortisol 141 ug/ 24 hrs. (6- 44), absence of suppression with 1 mg dexamethasone with cortisol 12.4 mcg/dl (< 1.8), ACTH 123 pg/ml (10-48) with dexamethasone levels 432 ng/dl (140- 295). Lab work was consistent with ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. MRI pituitary showed 7.5×7.8 mm RCC.8 mg dexamethasone suppression test and CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis were performed to differentiate between ectopic Cushing's and Cushing's disease. Cortisol levels suppressed greater than 50% after 8 mg dexamethasone from baseline cortisol – 17.7 mcg/dl and ACTH 67 pg/ml to cortisol 3.4 mcg/dl and ACTH – 34 pg/ml with dexamethasone levels of 3120 ng/dl (1600–2850). CT chest abdomen, pelvis showed no evidence of bronchial carcinoid or other potential lesions. With neuroimaging findings and biochemical confirmation of Cushing's disease, the patient underwent transsphenoidal resection. Discussion – The association between RCC and pituitary adenoma was found in 0.5–1.9% cases per literature review1, co-occurrence with ACTH producing pituitary adenoma being rarer. The diagnosis of collision tumors can be challenging as the most common presentation on imaging is a cystic mass. Appropriate biochemical testing is indicated based on clinical presentation, initial laboratory testing, and level of suspicion. Elevated ACTH levels along with diabetes and hypertension led to a diagnosis of Cushing's disease in our patient with the initial presentation of an incidental RCC. The knowledge about collision tumors is important, especially in unusual presentations as in our case. References Sagan KP et al. Cushing's Syndrome in a patient with Rathke's cleft cyst and ACTH cell hyperplasia detected by 11C-Methionine PET Imaging-A Case Presentation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020; 11: 460. Published 2020 Jul 22. Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

МЕТОДЫ КОРРЕКЦИИ РАЗВИТИЯ ДЕТЕЙ С АУТИЗМОМ НА ОСНОВЕ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ОБРАТНОЙ СВЯЗИ ПО ЭЭГ

The article provides an overview of scientific works devoted to methods of correcting the development of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) based on EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback). According to the World Health Organization, one in 160 children are currently diagnosed with ASD. In 2018, about 0.1 % of the child population in Russia suffered from autism. Moreover, the incidence of the disease is increasing every year. Genetic disorders are the most likely cause of ASD. Dysfunctions of 69 genes are highly likely to cause ASD. Most of these genes are pleiotropic. They affect the proliferation, differentiation and migration of nerve cells, the growth of axons and synaptogenesis, the synthesis of neurotransmitters and the development of receptors for them. Several genes involved in the development of ASD undergo epigenetic modifications under the influence of the environment and pathogens. The key in the onset of ASD is probably a violation of the synaptic pruning process. Pruning is necessary to reduce redundant connections and improve the efficiency of the central nervous system. Based on this, the researchers put forward a hypothesis explaining the symptoms of ASD as a result of a violation of structural and functional brain connectivity. Such disturbances are likely to cause abnormalities in the functioning of the brain mirror system (BMS). Disorders of the synaptic organization of the brain correlate with indicators of cognitive, emotional and behavioral tests, EEG characteristics. The study of phase coherence in several EEG frequency ranges demonstrated the presence of global hypo- and local hyper-connectivity in patients with ASD. The absence of suppression or desynchronization of the mu rhythm may indicate a malfunction of the BMS. The child’s brain is highly plastic. Therefore, early corrective intervention can improve the developmental outcomes of a child with ASD. Modern research demonstrates the possibility of effective application of neurofeedback for the correction of the disease. One of the strategies is the use of neurofeedback trainings to reduce anxiety in children with ASD. Another strategy is aimed at regulating the coherence of EEG signals. Researchers consider the most promising strategy for learning mu rhythm modulation using neurofeedback. This neurofeedback protocol affects the functioning of the BMS. According to the research results, after the neurofeedback trainings, the normalization of the functional cerebral connectivity according to the mu rhythm was established. Further research in this direction can become the basis for the most effective methods of treating ASD.

SAT-142 Periodic Cushing Syndrome in a Patient with an Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET). A Novel Case Report

Introduction A major diagnostic enigma regarding ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome is the distinction between the source of ACTH, which may have either a pituitary or ectopic origin. We present the first described patient with cyclic Cushing syndrome caused by an intestinal neuroendocrine tumour (NET) detected by 68GA-DOTATATE PET-CT, despite functional tests that were indicative of pituitary Cushing disease. Clinical Case A 53-year old man was admitted to outpatient clinic because of muscle weakness. His phenotype and clinical findings (progressively worsening upper and lower limb weakness, emotional disturbances, easy bruising, a Buffalo hump, prediabetes and leucocytosis) led to the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. Initial laboratory tests established the diagnosis with an abnormal diurnal cortisol and ACTH secretion (night cortisol F: 22.1μg / dl), absence of suppression with dexamethasone 1mg and increased free urinary free cortisol 24h (243.5μg /24h). Abdominal CT scanning revealed a left-sided adrenal adrenocortical adenoma 1.5 mm in max diameter. Pituitary MRI and somatostatin scintigraphy were normal. Low dexamethasone suppression test was indicative of Cushing (F: 14μg / dl) followed by a combined CRH stimulation test during bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Pituitary / peripheral ACTH ratio pre-infusion of CRH and 3 min after CRH infusion was compatible with right-sided pituitary origin of ACTH hypersecretion. Pending the results of the laboratory, the patient showed a remission of his symptoms along with a laboratory-confirmed recession of active hypercortisolaemia (LDDST test), and this led to the suspicion of periodic Cushing syndrome. The patient was followed with clinical and laboratory examinations weekly, with recurrence of symptoms 2 months later followed by a new remission 3 months later. A PETGA CT SCAN with 68GA-HA-DOTATATE was performed, which showed an increased uptake of the radioisotope in the small intestine. A surgical excision of the affected small bowel region was performed according to the guidelines for intestinal NETs. Histology confirmed the existence of a well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm of the small intestine of 1.1 cm diameter, grade 1 (WHO 2010). Immunophenotype was positive for serotonin and ACTH. Postoperatively, the patient showed a complete remission of symptomatology and regression of hypercortisolaemia over a 18-month period. Follow-up abdominal MRI and 68GA-HA-DOTATATE revealed no pathological findings. Conclusion: Our patient is the first case of ectopic Cushing disease caused by intestinal NET. The differential diagnosis between pituitary and ectopic Cushing syndrome due to ACTH or CRH hypersecretion is not easy and frequently complicated by the periodicity of the disease. In patients with no visible pituitary lesions on MRI we suggest further investigation for ectopic ACTH- driven Cushing syndrome.

Bottom-up Cu filling of annular through silicon vias: Microstructure and texture

Microstructural and morphological evolution during bottom-up Cu filling of annular through silicon vias (TSV) in a CuSO4–H2SO4–Cl-–poloxamine electrolyte is examined. Deposition proceeds in two distinct stages beginning with a passive-to-active state transition on the via sidewalls whose depth and ultimate thickness depends on the polymer flux. Growth is conformal or tapered with columnar grains whose width and texture differ between the outer and inner sidewalls of the annulus due to area reduction and expansion respectively. The outer sidewall and bottom surface have a preferred texture; ⟨111⟩//ND (via normal) and ⟨110⟩//CD (via circumferential). With time the sidewalls passivate while further deposition is localized to the via bottom. Bottom-up growth then fills the TSV with the formation and selective expansion of the ⟨110⟩//ND textured grains. At higher suppressor concentrations the initial onset and transient period of sidewall deposition is displaced to greater depth and the subsequent shift to bottom-up filling with large ⟨110⟩//ND texture grains occurs earlier. The dominant ⟨110⟩//ND texture during bottom-up filling is congruent with Cl− stabilized texture development. The absence of suppression indicates that the polymeric suppressor does not adsorb on the active upward propagating surface.

FUTURE PSYCHOLOGISTS’ SELF-ATTITUDE AS A FACTOR OF PROFESSIONAL SELF-DEVELOPMENT

The peculiarities of future psychologists’ self-attitudes are considered as an important factor in their professional self-development. Self-attitude is a certain stable feeling towards e personal Self, which contains a number of specific modalities (measurements) that differ both in emotional tone, experience, as well as in the semantic sense of the corresponding attitude to oneself. The structure of self-attitude is described; it is represented by the emotional component (self-perception) and the self-estimating component. The basic functions of self-attitude are revealed: self-reflection, self-expression and self-realization, preservation of internal stability and continuity of Self, self-regulation and self-control, psychological protection, and intra-communications. The experimental study included the following methods: questionnaire on self-attitude of V.V. Stolin and S.R. Pantylieiev; self-actualization test of E. Shostrom; author's technique of indirect measurement of self-assessments to determine a character of the respondents' emotional and appraisal attitude towards their own professional self-images; D. Campbell’s Self-Concept Clarity Scale. It is experimentally proved that future psychologists’ self-attitude is characterized mainly by an average level of self-acceptance, self-management, openness, self-confidence. The future psychologists imagine their personality, character and activities mostly with respect and sympathy; they are interested in personal Self, have a sense of the value of their own personality. They are characterized by increased reflection, deep penetration into oneself, awareness on their own difficulties, adequate self-images and absence of suppression. Sometimes, the future psychologists are characterized by their self-concept rigidity, fixation, and the reluctance to change oneself against the background of a general positive attitude towards oneself. Some students are characterized by self-accusation, readiness to blame themselves for their failures or drawbacks, lack of sympathy for themselves. &nbsp

Coexistence of soybean plants and Urochloa spp. under glyphosate and water deficit effects

In the insertion of forage plants of the genus Urochloa P. Beauv. (Poaceae) coexisting with annual crops, proper management of the intercropping becomes necessary to avoid economic losses. Among management measures, the chemical inhibition of forage plants with herbicide subdoses is highlighted. Therefore, this study evaluates the morphophysiological responses of soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate (RR soybean), in coexistence with Urochloa spp., treated or not with glyphosate subdoses and subjected to water deficit. Two tests were carried out in pots with forage species Urochloa ruziziensis (R.Germ & Evrard) Crins and Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster cv. Marandu coexisting with soybean, in randomized blocks with five replicates. The tests were arranged in a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement: the first factor was repre­sented by the absence and presence of forage; the second by the absence and use of glyphosate subdoses; and the third factor by 50% and 100% field capacity in the pots. The use of glyphosate suppressed the competitive capacity of forages, benefiting the soybean in coexistence. In the absence of suppression from glyphosate, the competition exerted by the forage promoted lower values for the physiological and morphological variables of soybean plants. Among the forages, U. ruziziensis was the most competitive with soybean plants. The root system of forages was not affected by water deficit, only the physiological and morphological characteristics of soybean, mainly rootdry mass. Glyphosate affected forage growth.

Proliferation of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Wharton's Jelly in Mixed and Membrane-Separated Cultures.

We studied the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells on proliferation of CFSE-stained T cells in mixed and membrane-separated (Transwell) cultures and in 3D culture of mesenchymal stromal cells from Wharton's jelly. The interaction of mesenchymal stromal cells with mitogen-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes from an allogeneic donor was followed by suppression of T-cell proliferation in a wide range of cell proportions. Culturing in the Transwell system showed the absence of suppression assessed by the fraction of proliferating cells and by the cell cycle analysis. In 3D cultures, contact interaction of mesenchymal stromal cells and lymphocytes was demonstrated that led to accumulation of G2/M phase lymphocytes and G0/G1 phase mesenchymal stromal cells. The suppressive effect of mesenchymal stromal cells from Wharton's jelly is mediated by two mechanisms. The effects are realized within 6 days, which suggests that the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells persist until their complete elimination from the body.

Assessing the Effects of Pesticide Exposure on the Auditory System based on the Suppression of Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions

Introduction: Although noise-induced hearing loss is the most significant occupational hazard affecting the auditory system, studies on hearing conservation have shown that frequent exposure to chemicals in the workplace may also cause hearing disorders. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the medial olivocochlear system in individuals exposed to pesticides. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study. After applying the inclusion criteria, we evaluated 205 students from an agricultural school located in the city of Nova Friburgo, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who were exposed to pesticides. Participants were evaluated based on a questionnaire to assess the degree of pesticide exposure, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), and investigation of the suppressive effect of TEOAEs. Results: The assessment considering the suppression of TEOAEs demonstrated that 38% of participants had absence of suppression in the right ear, 45.9% had absence of suppression in the left ear, 38% had unilateral absence, and 39% had bilateral absence. Our findings suggest that there is an association between absence of suppression and quartiles of exposure. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to pesticides can affect the medial olivocochlear system, regardless of concomitant exposure to noise.

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4 × 1018 eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding 4×1018 eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than 60° detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above 5.3×1018 eV, the ``ankle'', the flux can be described by a power law E−γ with index γ=2.70 ± 0.02 (stat) ± 0.1 (sys) followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy (Es) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find Es=(5.12±0.25 (stat)+1.0−1.2 (sys))×1019 eV.

Effect of phytoestrogens on basal and GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion

Plant-derived estrogens (phytoestrogens, PEs), like endogenous estrogens, affect a diverse array of tissues, including the bone, uterus, mammary gland, and components of the neural and cardiovascular systems. We hypothesized that PEs act directly at pituitary loci to attenuate basal FSH secretion and increase gonadotrope sensitivity to GnRH. To examine the effect of PEs on basal secretion and total production of FSH, ovine pituitary cells were incubated with PEs for 48 h. Conditioned media and cell extract were collected and assayed for FSH. Estradiol (E₂) and some PEs significantly decreased basal secretion of FSH. The most potent PEs in this regard were coumestrol (CM), zearalenone (ZR), and genistein (GN). The specificity of PE-induced suppression of basal FSH was indicated by the absence of suppression in cells coincubated with PEs and an estrogen receptor (ER) blocker (ICI 182 780; ICI). Secretion of LH during stimulation by a GnRH agonist (GnRH-A) was used as a measure of gonadotrope responsiveness. Incubation of cells for 12 h with E₂, CM, ZR, GN, or daidzein (DZ) enhanced the magnitude and sensitivity of LH secretion during subsequent exposure to graded levels of a GnRH-A. The E₂- and PE-dependent augmentation of gonadotrope responsiveness was nearly fully blocked during coincubation with ICI. Collectively, these data demonstrate that selected PEs (CM, ZR, and GN), like E₂, decrease basal secretion of FSH, reduce total FSH production, and enhance GnRH-A-induced LH secretion in a manner that is dependent on the ER.

Auditory cortical function during verbal episodic memory encoding in Alzheimer's disease

Episodic memory encoding of a verbal message depends upon initial registration, which requires sustained auditory attention followed by deep semantic processing of the message. Motivated by previous data demonstrating modulation of auditory cortical activity during sustained attention to auditory stimuli, we investigated the response of the human auditory cortex during encoding of sentences to episodic memory. Subsequently, we investigated this response in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and probable Alzheimer's disease (pAD). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, 31 healthy participants were studied. The response in 18 MCI and 18 pAD patients was then determined, and compared to 18 matched healthy controls. Subjects heard factual sentences, and subsequent retrieval performance indicated successful registration and episodic encoding. The healthy subjects demonstrated that suppression of auditory cortical responses was related to greater success in encoding heard sentences; and that this was also associated with greater activity in the semantic system. In contrast, there was reduced auditory cortical suppression in patients with MCI, and absence of suppression in pAD. Administration of a central cholinesterase inhibitor (ChI) partially restored the suppression in patients with pAD, and this was associated with an improvement in verbal memory. Verbal episodic memory impairment in AD is associated with altered auditory cortical function, reversible with a ChI. Although these results may indicate the direct influence of pathology in auditory cortex, they are also likely to indicate a partially reversible impairment of feedback from neocortical systems responsible for sustained attention and semantic processing.

The Measurement and Treatment of Suppression in Amblyopia

Amblyopia, a developmental disorder of the visual cortex, is one of the leading causes of visual dysfunction in the working age population. Current estimates put the prevalence of amblyopia at approximately 1-3%1-3, the majority of cases being monocular2. Amblyopia is most frequently caused by ocular misalignment (strabismus), blur induced by unequal refractive error (anisometropia), and in some cases by form deprivation. Although amblyopia is initially caused by abnormal visual input in infancy, once established, the visual deficit often remains when normal visual input has been restored using surgery and/or refractive correction. This is because amblyopia is the result of abnormal visual cortex development rather than a problem with the amblyopic eye itself4,5 . Amblyopia is characterized by both monocular and binocular deficits6,7 which include impaired visual acuity and poor or absent stereopsis respectively. The visual dysfunction in amblyopia is often associated with a strong suppression of the inputs from the amblyopic eye under binocular viewing conditions8. Recent work has indicated that suppression may play a central role in both the monocular and binocular deficits associated with amblyopia9,10 . Current clinical tests for suppression tend to verify the presence or absence of suppression rather than giving a quantitative measurement of the degree of suppression. Here we describe a technique for measuring amblyopic suppression with a compact, portable device11,12 . The device consists of a laptop computer connected to a pair of virtual reality goggles. The novelty of the technique lies in the way we present visual stimuli to measure suppression. Stimuli are shown to the amblyopic eye at high contrast while the contrast of the stimuli shown to the non-amblyopic eye are varied. Patients perform a simple signal/noise task that allows for a precise measurement of the strength of excitatory binocular interactions. The contrast offset at which neither eye has a performance advantage is a measure of the "balance point" and is a direct measure of suppression. This technique has been validated psychophysically both in control13,14 and patient6,9,11 populations. In addition to measuring suppression this technique also forms the basis of a novel form of treatment to decrease suppression over time and improve binocular and often monocular function in adult patients with amblyopia12,15,16 . This new treatment approach can be deployed either on the goggle system described above or on a specially modified iPod touch device15.

The Measurement and Treatment of Suppression in Amblyopia

Amblyopia, a developmental disorder of the visual cortex, is one of the leading causes of visual dysfunction in the working age population. Current estimates put the prevalence of amblyopia at approximately 1-3%1-3, the majority of cases being monocular2. Amblyopia is most frequently caused by ocular misalignment (strabismus), blur induced by unequal refractive error (anisometropia), and in some cases by form deprivation.Although amblyopia is initially caused by abnormal visual input in infancy, once established, the visual deficit often remains when normal visual input has been restored using surgery and/or refractive correction. This is because amblyopia is the result of abnormal visual cortex development rather than a problem with the amblyopic eye itself4,5 . Amblyopia is characterized by both monocular and binocular deficits6,7 which include impaired visual acuity and poor or absent stereopsis respectively. The visual dysfunction in amblyopia is often associated with a strong suppression of the inputs from the amblyopic eye under binocular viewing conditions8. Recent work has indicated that suppression may play a central role in both the monocular and binocular deficits associated with amblyopia9,10 .Current clinical tests for suppression tend to verify the presence or absence of suppression rather than giving a quantitative measurement of the degree of suppression. Here we describe a technique for measuring amblyopic suppression with a compact, portable device11,12 . The device consists of a laptop computer connected to a pair of virtual reality goggles. The novelty of the technique lies in the way we present visual stimuli to measure suppression. Stimuli are shown to the amblyopic eye at high contrast while the contrast of the stimuli shown to the non-amblyopic eye are varied. Patients perform a simple signal/noise task that allows for a precise measurement of the strength of excitatory binocular interactions. The contrast offset at which neither eye has a performance advantage is a measure of the "balance point" and is a direct measure of suppression. This technique has been validated psychophysically both in control13,14 and patient6,9,11 populations.In addition to measuring suppression this technique also forms the basis of a novel form of treatment to decrease suppression over time and improve binocular and often monocular function in adult patients with amblyopia12,15,16 . This new treatment approach can be deployed either on the goggle system described above or on a specially modified iPod touch device15.

Quantifying the Threat of Unsuppressed Wildfires Reaching the Adjacent Wildland-Urban Interface on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming, USA

An important objective for many federal land management agencies is to restore fire to ecosystems that have experienced fire suppression or exclusion over the last century. Managing wildfires for resource objectives (i.e., allowing wildfires to burn in the absence of suppression) is an important tool for restoring such fire-adapted ecosystems. To support management decisions that allow wildfires to burn unsuppressed, land managers need a quantitative assessment of the potential for such wildfires to reach nearby fire-susceptible resources and assets. We established a study area on a portion of the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Jackson, Wyoming, USA, where land managers wish to restore fire by managing wildfires, but are concerned about the threat to residential buildings. We modeled the ignition and unsuppressed growth of wildfires starting in a remote portion of the study area using FSim, a fire occurrence, growth, and suppression simulation model. We then characterized annual area burned and the likelihood that wildfires would reach a nearby wildland-urban interface (WUI) defense zone. Early-season fires burned longer and grew larger than late-season fires, and thus had a higher likelihood of reaching the WUI zone (3 % of May fires compared to 0.1 % of October fires). Because fire managers do not anticipate managing all fire starts for resource objectives, we applied a simple rule set termed “RO rules,” indicating the fraction of starts by month to be managed for resource objectives. This reduced the expected number of fires reaching the WUI zone by 70 %, and the expected WUI zone area burned by 61 %. From 1990 to 2009, a mean of 207 ha yr−1 had been burned by wildfires starting in the remote portion of the study area. By contrast, we estimated that 14 431 ha yr−1 could burn if no fire starts were suppressed, and 4861 ha yr−1 after applying the RO rules. Our analysis approach can be extended to determine which parts of the landscape are most likely to produce fires that reach specific targets on the landscape.

Wnt7a is up‐regulated in mice with heritable misexpression of Six2 associated with frontonasal dysplasia

Wnts are secreted glycoproteins involved in an array of developmental processes. In facial morphogenesis, Wnts appear to mediate development of the midface and fusion of the upper lip. We have previously described the Br mutant mouse displaying heritable frontonasal dysplasia (FND). Linkage analysis mapped the Br mutation near the homeobox transcription factor Six2, normally expressed in the facial mesenchyme during embryonic development. The purpose of this study is to determine possible upstream and downstream events of Six2, notably in the Wnt signaling pathway, leading to FND. Frontal nasal prominences (FNP) of E11.5 embryos were dissected and RNA extracted via Qiagen's RNeasy Mini Kit. Total RNA was reverse transcribed using Bio‐Rad's iScript cDNA Synthesis Kit. qRT‐PCR reactions were performed with SYBR Green Supermix and novel primers for Six2 and SABiosciences RT² Profiler PCR Array for Wnt signaling pathway molecules. The MyiQ iCycler thermocycler and single color real‐time PCR detection system (Bio‐Rad) were also used. Results suggest Six2 is expressed in a haploinsufficient pattern in the FNP. Additional data indicates Wnt7a expression is up‐regulated three‐fold in the Br/Br mutant. These data suggest Six2 may down‐regulate Wnt7a in the face and in the absence of suppression, Wnt7a may prevent further differentiation of midfacial structures resulting in FND. Further work will be necessary to determine specific downstream targets of Six2. Supported by R0‐1 DK064752 (SL).Grant Funding SourceNIH

Contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emission in patients with tinnitus

SummaryIntroduction: The medial olivocochlear bundle effect is studied through the suppression of otoacoustic emissions and seems to be influenced by the laterality of the central nervous system, presenting no symmetry between right and left ear. A dysfunction of this bundle may be involved in the generation of tinnitus, although this fact was not confirmed. Objectives: Study the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions in tinnitus patients. Material and Method: A case-controlled study involving 44 tinnitus patients from the Tinnitus Group of the ENT Department of the University of São Paulo Medical School and 44 controls who underwent distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing with and without contralateral noise. Only the results from the right ears from both groups were compared. Results: There was a relationship between the presence of tinnitus and the absence of suppression at all frequencies studied (OR>2.1). Conclusion: There was a correlation between diminished effectiveness of the medial olivocochlear bundle and the presence of tinnitus.

ROBO directs axon crossing of segmental boundaries by suppressing responsiveness to relocalized Netrin

Networks in the CNS consist of neural modules that are connected in a repetitive array. Whereas individual modules contain guidance information along which axons track within the unit, these guidance cues hinder axon extension across module boundaries. We investigated how axons solve this 'boundary problem' by analyzing the longitudinal connections of neuromeres in Drosophila melanogaster. The initial trajectory of the longitudinal axons is guided by Netrin, which is localized on commissural axons by its receptor, Frazzled. The Netrin cue on the commissure of the next segment can act as a barrier to longitudinal axons, inhibiting their extension and misguiding them contralaterally along the commissure. We show that, before reaching the segmental boundary, the longitudinal axons' responsiveness to Netrin presented on the commissure is suppressed by Roundabout (ROBO), through counteracting Gq signaling. The absence of suppression causes the robo phenotype: longitudinal axons project toward the midline, as if running around a roundabout (rotary).

Absence of suppression in particle production at large transverse momentum in sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV d+Au collisions.

Transverse momentum spectra of charged hadrons with p(T)<8 GeV/c and neutral pions with p(T)<10 GeV/c have been measured at midrapidity by the PHENIX experiment at BNL RHIC in d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The measured yields are compared to those in p+p collisions at the same sqrt[s(NN)] scaled up by the number of underlying nucleon-nucleon collisions in d+Au. The yield ratio does not show the suppression observed in central Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Instead, there is a small enhancement in the yield of high momentum particles.