Dependent Changes Research Articles

A randomized controlled trial of potential tobacco policies prohibiting menthol flavor in cigarettes and e-cigarettes: a study protocol

BackgroundMenthol cigarette use remains a large public health problem and disproportionately affects Black adults in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration has proposed prohibiting menthol flavor in cigarettes to protect public health. However, e-cigarettes are available in menthol flavor and are a popular alternative product adults might switch to if menthol is prohibited in cigarettes. Research is needed to understand how availability of menthol (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarettes could impact cigarette use among adults who smoke menthol cigarettes.MethodsWe will recruit 150 adults who currently smoke menthol cigarettes and will randomize them to 1 of 3 conditions modeling different regulatory scenarios. We will recruit equal numbers of participants identifying as Black vs. non-Black and will stratify randomization by race. To promote standardization and adherence, cigarette and e-cigarette products will be provided for 8 weeks based on the assigned condition: (A) no menthol restriction (menthol cigarette and menthol flavored e-cigarette), (B) menthol prohibited in cigarettes only (non-menthol cigarette and menthol flavored e-cigarette), (C) menthol prohibited in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes (non-menthol cigarette and tobacco flavored e-cigarette). A follow-up visit will occur at week 12 to assess tobacco use status. The study aims are to (1) examine the impact of prohibiting menthol flavor in cigarettes and e-cigarettes on smoking behavior and (2) investigate whether outcomes differ by race to understand the impact of menthol policies on Black (vs. non-Black) individuals given high rates of menthol cigarette use in this population. The primary outcome will evaluate changes in the number of cigarettes smoked per day during the 8-week study period and will examine differences by regulatory scenario. Secondary outcomes will compare percent days smoke-free, changes in nicotine dependence, and motivation, confidence, and intentions to quit smoking by the regulatory scenarios. We will examine whether changes in the outcomes differ by Black vs. non-Black participants to compare the magnitude of the effect of the various menthol policy scenarios by race.DiscussionResults will contribute critical information regarding menthol in cigarettes and e-cigarettes to inform regulatory policies that maximize reductions in cigarette smoking and reduce tobacco-related health disparities.Trial registrationNCT05259566. Yale IRB protocol #2000032211, last approved 12/8/2023.

Pengaruh Struktur Modal, Ukuran Perusahaan Dan Umur Perusahaan Terhadap Nilai Perusahaan: Survey Pada Sektor Makanan dan Minuman Yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2015-2019

This study aims to determine the effect of capital structure, firm size and firm age on firm value in food and beverage companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This type of research is quantitative research. The sample used was 19 companies from a population of 26 food and beverage companies listed on the Indonesian stock exchange in 2015-2019. This study uses secondary data, the data analysis method used is the panel data regression analysis method. The results showed that simultaneously capital structure, firm size and firm age had an effect on firm value. Then, partially capital structure and firm age have a significant negative effect on firm value. On the other hand, firm size has no significant negative effect on firm value. The amount of the Adjusted R Square (R2) is 0.692658 or 69.26%, which means that the ability of the independent variable to explain the variation in the dependent variable change is 69.26%, while the rest is 0.30% (100% - 69.26%) is influenced by other factors outside the research variables. The results of this study are expected to be taken into consideration by companies when they want to increase company value.

Impedance of electric field sensors in magnetized plasmas: particle-in-cell simulations

To obtain both the intensities and phases of electric fields, it is necessary to calibrate the data observed by the sensor by consulting the sensor characteristics. The frequency profile of the sensor impedance obtained from the simulation is roughly consistent with that obtained from the theory. However, some differences are identified in the frequency profile of the sensor impedance obtained from the simulation compared to the theory. We conducted simulations using the particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation tool to analyze the impedance of electric field sensors immersed in magnetized space plasmas. The simulation model comprised a dipole sensor placed in a three-dimensional simulation box filled with electrons and ions. The dipole sensor was represented by perfect conductor rods. We carefully selected simulation parameters and employed an appropriate feeding technique to accurately evaluate the sensor impedance. We observed significant changes in the frequency dependence of the sensor impedance as cyclotron frequency varied. To understand the simulation results, we introduced the linear dispersion relation. By comparing the real part of the sensor impedance with the ω-k\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\omega-k$$\\end{document} diagram, we found that the impedance peaks corresponded to frequencies at which branches of plasma waves were present, with k=khalf\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$k=k_{\ ext{half}}$$\\end{document}, representing half the wavelength equal to the tip-to-tip sensor length, i.e., the sensor can be assumed as the half-wavelength dipole antenna.Graphical

Elastic anomalies across the P21mn→Pnnm structural phase transition in δ-(Al,Fe)OOH

Abstract Hydrogen may be recycled into the Earth's lower mantle by subduction and stabilized in solid solutions between phase H (MgSiO4H2), δ-AlOOH, ε-FeOOH, and SiO2 post-stishovite. In high-pressure oxyhydroxide phases, hydrogen is incorporated following the typical (OHO) sequence, adopting the asymmetric configuration O-H···O that evolves into a symmetric disordered state upon compression. Moreover these iron-/aluminum-bearing oxyhydroxides [δ-(Al,Fe)OOH] present a structural phase transition from P21nm to Pnnm as pressure increases. Here, the single-crystal elasticity of the P21nm phase of δ-(Al0.97,Fe0.03)OOH has been experimentally measured across the P21nm→Pnnm transition up to 7.94(2) GPa by simultaneous single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brillouin spectroscopy at high pressures. The transition appears to be continuous, and it can be described with a second, fourth and six order terms Landau potential. Our results reveal an enhanced unit-cell volume compressibility, which is linked to an increase of the b- and a-axes linear compressibility in the P21nm phase of δ-(Al0.97,Fe0.03)OOH prior to the transition. In addition, we observed the presence of elastic softening in the P21nm phase that mostly impacts the elastic stiffness coefficients c12, c22 and c23. The observed elastic anomalies cause a significant change in the pressure dependence of the adiabatic bulk modulus (KS). These results provide a better understanding of the relation between elasticity, P21mn→Pnnm structural phase transition and hydrogen dynamics in δ-(Al0.97,Fe0.03)OOH, which may be applied to other O-H···O-bearing materials.

Change in the melting temperature baric dependence during the transition from macro to nanocrystal

In this work we present new analytical (i.e., without computer modeling) method for calculating the dependence of the nanocrystal melting temperature both on pressure and on the size (number of atoms N) and surface shape of the nanocrystal. This method is based on the paired Mie–Lennard-Jones interatomic interaction potential, and takes into account the dependence of both the state equation and other lattice properties on the size and shape of the nanocrystal. For the first time, the dependences of the melting temperature on the pressure P, size N, and shape f of the nanocrystal were obtained. Calculations have been performed for gold, platinum and iron. It is shown that at any pressure, the melting point Tm(P, N, f) decreases both with an isomorphic-isobaric (f, P – const) decrease in the number of N atoms, and with an isomeric-isobaric (N, P – const) deviation of the nanocrystal shape from the energy-optimal shape. It is shown that the value of the baric derivative of the melting temperature Tm′(P) for a nanocrystal at low pressures is greater, and at high pressures less than the Tm′(P) value for a macrocrystal. At this, the dependence of the Tm′(P) function on the nanocrystal size is insignificant, i.e., at constant N-f-arguments, the baric dependences Tm(P, ∞) and Tm(P, N, f) are practically parallel. It is indicated how this method can be applied for experimental evaluation of the pressure under which a nanocrystal is located in a refractory matrix.

A closed bipolar electrochemical cell for the interrogation of BDD single particles: Electrochemical advanced oxidation

A closed bipolar electrochemical cell containing two conductive boron-doped diamond (BDD) particles of size ∼ 250 – 350 μm, produced by high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis, has been used to demonstrate the applicability of single BDD particles for electrochemical oxidative degradation of the dye, methylene blue (MB). The cell is fabricated using stereolithography 3D printing and the BDD particles are located at either end of a solution excluded central channel. Platinum wire electrodes placed in each of the two outer solution compartments are used to drive electrochemical reactions at the two BDD particles, which, under bipolar conditions do not require direct electrical connection to a potential source. Experiments using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) show that the anodic pole BDD particle is able to electrochemically remove > 99 % of the dye (originally present at 1 × 10−4 M) to undetectable UHPLC-MS products in 600 s. Monitoring of the time dependant change in MB peak area, from the UHPLC chromatograms, enables a pseudo first order rate constant of 0.54 min−1 to be determined for MB removal. Given the large scale at which such particles can be produced (tonnes), such data bodes well for scale up opportunities using HPHT-grown BDD particles, where the particles can be assembled into high surface area electrode formats.

An engineered biosensor enables dynamic aspartate measurements in living cells.

Intracellular levels of the amino acid aspartate are responsive to changes in metabolism in mammalian cells and can correspondingly alter cell function, highlighting the need for robust tools to measure aspartate abundance. However, comprehensive understanding of aspartate metabolism has been limited by the throughput, cost, and static nature of the mass spectrometry (MS)-based measurements that are typically employed to measure aspartate levels. To address these issues, we have developed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based sensor of aspartate (jAspSnFR3), where the fluorescence intensity corresponds to aspartate concentration. As a purified protein, the sensor has a 20-fold increase in fluorescence upon aspartate saturation, with dose-dependent fluorescence changes covering a physiologically relevant aspartate concentration range and no significant off target binding. Expressed in mammalian cell lines, sensor intensity correlated with aspartate levels measured by MS and could resolve temporal changes in intracellular aspartate from genetic, pharmacological, and nutritional manipulations. These data demonstrate the utility of jAspSnFR3 and highlight the opportunities it provides for temporally resolved and high-throughput applications of variables that affect aspartate levels.

Analyzing Temperature – Dependent Structural Changes and Frequency Response of a Ferroelectric Nanocomposite Based on Triglycine Sulfate with Oxidized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The present work is a continuing study on anomalous properties of the ferroelectric nanocomposite from triglycine sulfate (TGS) and oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (OMWCNT). In this study, the nature of frequency response in a region of 102–107 Hz at low temperatures (63–273 K) will be clarified by analyzing structural changes when reducing temperature. It was found that the interaction between TGS and OMWCNT inhibited the switching of SO4 - groups, leading to a significant increase in relaxation time, activation energies and coercive fields. Consequently, the domain – wall freezing occurred at higher temperatures than those in pure TGS.

Brain activation during processing of mouth actions in patients with disorders of consciousness.

In the past 2 decades, several attempts have been made to promote a correct diagnosis and possible restorative interventions in patients suffering from disorders of consciousness. Sensory stimulation has been proved to be useful in sustaining the level of arousal/awareness and to improve behavioural responsiveness with a significant effect on oro-motor functions. Recently, action observation has been proposed as a stimulation strategy in patients with disorders of consciousness, based on neurophysiological evidence that the motor cortex can be activated not only during action execution but also when actions are merely observed in the absence of motor output, or during listening to action sounds and speech. This mechanism is provided by the activity of mirror neurons. In the present study, a group of patients with disorders of consciousness (11 males, 4 females; median age: 55 years; age range: 19-74 years) underwent task-based functional MRI in which they had, in one condition, to observe and listen to the sound of mouth actions, and in another condition, to listen to verbs with motor or abstract content. In order to verify the presence of residual activation of the mirror neuron system, the brain activations of patients were compared with that of a group of healthy individuals (seven males, eight females; median age: 33.4 years; age range: 24-65 years) performing the same tasks. The results show that brain activations were lower in patients with disorders of consciousness compared with controls, except for primary auditory areas. During the audiovisual task, 5 out of 15 patients with disorders of consciousness showed only residual activation of low-level visual and auditory areas. Activation of high-level parieto-premotor areas was present in six patients. During the listening task, three patients showed only low-level activations, and six patients activated also high-level areas. Interestingly, in both tasks, one patient with a clinical diagnosis of vegetative state showed activations of high-level areas. Region of interest analysis on blood oxygen level dependent signal change in temporal, parietal and premotor cortex revealed a significant linear relation with the level of clinical functioning, assessed with coma recovery scale-revised. We propose a classification of the patient's response based on the presence of low-level and high-level activations, combined with the patient's functional level. These findings support the use of action observation and listening as possible stimulation strategies in patients with disorders of consciousness and highlight the relevance of combined methods based on functional assessment and brain imaging to provide more detailed neuroanatomical specificity about residual activated areas at both cortical and subcortical levels.

Characterization of two distinct immortalized endothelial cell lines, EA.hy926 and HMEC-1, for in vitro studies: exploring the impact of calcium electroporation, Ca2+ signaling and transcriptomic profiles

BackgroundDisruption of Ca2+ homeostasis after calcium electroporation (CaEP) in tumors has been shown to elicit an enhanced antitumor effect with varying impacts on healthy tissue, such as endothelium. Therefore, our study aimed to determine differences in Ca2+ kinetics and gene expression involved in the regulation of Ca2+ signaling and homeostasis, as well as effects of CaEP on cytoskeleton and adherens junctions of the established endothelial cell lines EA.hy926 and HMEC-1.MethodsCaEP was performed on EA.hy926 and HMEC-1 cells with increasing Ca2+ concentrations. Viability after CaEP was assessed using Presto Blue, while the effect on cytoskeleton and adherens junctions was evaluated via immunofluorescence staining (F-actin, α-tubulin, VE-cadherin). Differences in intracellular Ca2+ regulation ([Ca2+]i) were determined with spectrofluorometric measurements using Fura-2-AM, exposing cells to DPBS, ionomycin, thapsigargin, ATP, bradykinin, angiotensin II, acetylcholine, LaCl3, and GdCl3. Molecular distinctions were identified by analyzing differentially expressed genes and pathways related to the cytoskeleton and Ca2+ signaling through RNA sequencing.ResultsEA.hy926 cells, at increasing Ca2+ concentrations, displayed higher CaEP susceptibility and lower survival than HMEC-1. Immunofluorescence confirmed CaEP-induced, time- and Ca2+-dependent morphological changes in EA.hy926’s actin filaments, microtubules, and cell–cell junctions. Spectrofluorometric Ca2+ kinetics showed higher amplitudes in Ca2+ responses in EA.hy926 exposed to buffer, G protein coupled receptor agonists, bradykinin, and angiotensin II compared to HMEC-1. HMEC-1 exhibited significantly higher [Ca2+]i changes after ionomycin exposure, while responses to thapsigargin, ATP, and acetylcholine were similar in both cell lines. ATP without extracellular Ca2+ ions induced a significantly higher [Ca2+]i rise in EA.hy926, suggesting purinergic ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptor activation. RNA-sequencing analysis showed significant differences in cytoskeleton- and Ca2+-related gene expression, highlighting upregulation of ORAI2, TRPC1, TRPM2, CNGA3, TRPM6, and downregulation of TRPV4 and TRPC4 in EA.hy926 versus HMEC-1. Moreover, KEGG analysis showed upregulated Ca2+ import and downregulated export genes in EA.hy926.ConclusionsOur finding show that significant differences in CaEP response and [Ca2+]i regulation exist between EA.hy926 and HMEC-1, which may be attributed to distinct transcriptomic profiles. EA.hy926, compared to HMEC-1, displayed higher susceptibility and sensitivity to [Ca2+]i changes, which may be linked to overexpression of Ca2+-related genes and an inability to mitigate changes in [Ca2+]i. The study offers a bioinformatic basis for selecting EC models based on research objectives.

Multi-epoch spectropolarimetry for a sample of Type IIn Supernovae: persistent asymmetry in dusty circumstellar material

ABSTRACT We present multi-epoch spectropolarimetry and spectra for a sample of 14 Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn). We find that after correcting for likely interstellar polarization, SNe IIn commonly show intrinsic continuum polarization of 1–3 per cent at the time of peak optical luminosity, although a few show weaker or negligible polarization. While some SNe IIn have even stronger polarization at early times, their polarization tends to drop smoothly over several hundred days after peak. We find a tendency for the intrinsic polarization to be stronger at bluer wavelengths, especially at early times. While polarization from an electron scattering region is expected to be grey, scattering of SN light by dusty circumstellar material (CSM) may induce such a wavelength-dependent polarization. For most SNe IIn, changes in polarization degree and wavelength dependence are not accompanied by changes in the position angle, requiring that asymmetric pre-SN mass loss had a persistent geometry. While 2–3 per cent polarization is typical, about 30 per cent of SNe IIn have very low or undetected polarization. Under the simplifying assumption that all SN IIn progenitors have axisymmetric CSM (i.e. disc/torus/bipolar), then the distribution of polarization values we observe is consistent with similarly asymmetric CSM seen from a distribution of random viewing angles. This asymmetry has very important implications for understanding the origin of pre-SN mass loss in SNe IIn, suggesting that it was shaped by binary interaction.

Observations of interstellar scattering of six pulsars using Polish LOFAR station PL611

ABSTRACT We present the preliminary results of 4 yr of observations of the scattering of pulsar radiation in the interstellar medium using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) PL611 station located in Lazy near Krakow. In this work we show the initial results for six pulsars from our observing campaign. We used the HBA antennas of the station, with a central frequency of 154 MHz and a 72 MHz bandwidth and we were able to detect the frequency-dependent change in the pulse profiles. Splitting the bandwidth into a number of separate sub-bands we obtained independent scatter time estimates, which allowed for the estimation of the scattering frequency scaling slope for each individual observation. Our project has been accumulating data for more than 4 yr and as a result we are in a position to study the time variability of the scattering parameters over this period. We detected significant changes in the scatter time and its frequency scaling for at least two of pulsars. The average values of the frequency scaling index for the six pulsars selected for this work are below the range of values predicted by the simple thin screen model of interstellar scattering. This is in accordance with previous results shown for both higher dispersion measure pulsars observed in the past, as well as the more recent LOFAR observations and other projects similar in the observing frequency. We also discuss the advantages of using individual LOFAR stations (or similar instruments) for this kind of research.

Time-resolved AUSAXS at BL28XU at SPring-8.

An anomalous ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (AUSAXS) system has been constructed at BL28XU at SPring-8 for time-resolved AUSAXS experiments. The path length was extended to 9.1 m and a minimum of q = 0.0069 nm-1 was attained. Scattering profiles at 0.0069 to 0.3 nm-1 were successfully obtained at 17 different X-ray energies in 30 s using the BL28XU optical setup, which enables adjustment of the energy of the incident X-rays quickly without the beam position drifting. Time-resolved measurements were conducted to investigate changes in the structure of zinc compounds in poly(styrene-ran-butadiene) rubber during vulcanization. A change in energy dependence of the scattered intensity with time was found during vulcanization, suggesting the transformation of zinc in the reaction.

Impact of palladium/palladium hydride conversion on electrochemical CO2 reduction via in-situ transmission electron microscopy and diffraction

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 offers a sustainable route for producing fuels and chemicals. Pd-based catalysts are effective for converting CO2 into formate at low overpotentials and CO/H2 at high overpotentials, while undergoing poorly understood morphology and phase structure transformations under reaction conditions that impact performance. Herein, in-situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy and select area diffraction measurements are applied to track the morphology and Pd/PdHx phase interconversion under reaction conditions as a function of electrode potential. These studies identify the degradation mechanisms, including poisoning and physical structure changes, occurring in PdHx/Pd electrodes. Constant potential density functional theory calculations are used to probe the reaction mechanisms occurring on the PdHx structures observed under reaction conditions. Microkinetic modeling reveals that the intercalation of *H into Pd is essential for formate production. However, the change in electrochemical CO2 conversion selectivity away from formate and towards CO/H2 at increasing overpotentials is due to electrode potential dependent changes in the reaction energetics and not a consequence of morphology or phase structure changes.

Field dependence of the electrocaloric effect in BaTiO3 and Ba(Zr0.12Ti0.88)O3: High-resolution measurements around the phase transition

The electric field dependence of the electrocaloric effect is investigated in BaTiO3 and Ba(Zr0.12Ti0.88)O3 by a direct method with sub-mK temperature resolution. The field dependence of the caloric temperature change ΔT(E) shows a pronounced change within a few Kelvin around the Curie temperature for the first-order phase transition in BaTiO3. The transition from a linear field dependence in the ferroelectric phase over a butterfly-shaped to a quadratic field dependence in the paraelectric phase is compared to predictions of Landau–Devonshire theory. The simultaneous measurement of caloric and dielectric properties further allows for the investigation of the polarization dependence ΔT(P) of the electrocaloric effect. We find clear deviations from the predicted quadratic polarization dependence for temperatures close to the Curie temperature. Ba(Zr0.12Ti0.88)O3 shows in contrast only a slow and gradual change of the field dependence over a broad temperature range as a consequence of its diffuse phase transition.

Modeling Price Policy of Industries within the Frames of Inter-Sectoral Balance Methodology

The subject of inter-sectoral balance has been adequately developed in scientific community, however, we think that insufficient attention was paid to inserting price rates of industries in the model of inter-sectoral relations, as they produce a serious impact on making decisions concerning each industry production. The article deals with working-out a mathematic approach to modeling industry behavior in view of price policy development. The theoretical base of the research was formed by key provisions of the economic theory and the theory of inter-sectoral balance. The authors analyze dynamics of product prices set by industries with regard to inter-sectoral dependence and respective changes in output, added value, margin and volumes of sold products in each industry. As a result of the research the inter-sectoral model of shaping price policy of industries was built, which takes into account parameters of demand and urge of every industry for maximum profits. Different scenarios of changing demand parameters and production interactions were studied. Model experiments allowed authors to come to the conclusion that a rise in demand for one industry product cannot always increase production of related industries. As product price in the industry goes up, costs of other industries also rise, which can have an adverse effect on their product demand on the part of end customer. And on the contrary, a drop in demand for one industry product can support other related industries on constant demand factors at the expense of cost cutting. The proposed model could be useful for private and state sectors in planning investment policy at the same time it could reveal macro-economic trends, which is necessary to resolve problems of tardy or inadequate response of business entity on possible risks.

Coverage Dependent Structural Change in Tetrahydrothiophene Adsorbed on Ge(100) Surface

Coverage Dependent Structural Change in Tetrahydrothiophene Adsorbed on Ge(100) Surface

Effect of a sensing charge mutation on the deactivation of KV7.2 channels.

Potassium-selective, voltage-gated channels of the KV7 family are critical regulators of electrical excitability in many cell types. Removing the outermost putative sensing charge (R198) of the human KV7.2 shifts its activation voltage dependence toward more negative potentials. This suggests that removing a charge "at the top" of the fourth (S4) segment of the voltage-sensing domain facilitates activation. Here, we hypothesized that restoring that charge would bring back the activation to its normal voltage range. We introduced the mutation R198H in KV7.2 with the idea that titrating the introduced histidine with protons would reinstate the sensing charge. As predicted, the mutant's activation voltage dependence changed as a function of the external pH (pHEXT) while modest changes in the activation voltage dependence were observed with the wild-type (WT) channel. On the other hand, the deactivation kinetics of the R198H mutant was remarkably sensitive to pHEXT changes, readily deactivating at pHEXT 6, while becoming slower to deactivate at pHEXT 8. In contrast, the KV7.2 WT displayed modest changes in the deactivation kinetics as a function of pHEXT. This suggested that the charge of residue 198 was critical for deactivation. However, in a surprising turn, the mutant R198Q-a non-titratable mutation-also displayed a high pHEXT sensitivity activity. We thus concluded that rather than the charge at position 198, the protonation status of the channel's extracellular face modulates the open channel stabilization and that the charge of residue 198 is required for the voltage sensor to effectively deactivate the channel, overcoming the stabilizing effect of high pHEXT.

Intrinsic Functional Connectivity between the Anterior Insular and Retrosplenial Cortex as a Moderator and Consequence of Cocaine Self-Administration in Rats.

While functional brain imaging studies in humans suggest that chronic cocaine use alters functional connectivity (FC) within and between key large-scale brain networks, including the default mode network (DMN), the salience network (SN), and the central executive network (CEN), cross-sectional studies in humans are challenging to obtain brain FC prior to cocaine use. Such information is critical to reveal the relationship between individual's brain FC and the subsequent development of cocaine dependence and brain changes during abstinence. Here, we performed a longitudinal study examining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data in male rats (n = 7), acquired before cocaine self-administration (baseline), on 1 d of abstinence following 10 d of cocaine self-administration, and again after 30 d of experimenter-imposed abstinence. Using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with network-based statistics (NBS), significant connectivity changes were found between anterior insular cortex (AI) of the SN, retrosplenial cortex (RSC) of the DMN, somatosensory cortex, and caudate-putamen (CPu), with AI-RSC FC showing the most robust changes between baseline and 1 d of abstinence. Additionally, the level of escalated cocaine intake is associated with AI-RSC and AI-CPu FC changes between 1 d and 30 d of abstinence; further, the subjects' AI-RSC FC prior to cocaine intake is a significant moderator for the AI-RSC changes during abstinence. These results provide novel insights into the roles of AI-RSC FC before and after cocaine intake and suggest this circuit to be a potential target to modulate large-scale network and associated behavioral changes in cocaine use disorders.

Integration of Solar Energy Resource into Agro-Energy Cooperative Districts: A Case Study based on Solar Powered Irrigation Pumps

The use of renewable energy resources to decrease both energy dependence and climate change has become a usual solution promoted by most developed countries. Nowadays, a significant number of governments have supported the integration of renewables in a sort of energy sectors, such as industrial customers or rural areas. Under this framework, the present paper describes a case study to integrate solar resource into rural areas for irrigation pumping purposes. This study has been carried out in two Mediterranean countries with similar solar radiation levels but with significantly different energy policies: Spain and Morocco. Results provide an analysis of agro-energy cooperative districts to optimize energy requirements in terms of water pumping and under scarcity conditions, typically found in current Mediterranean areas. Real data from both rural areas are also included in the paper. The study has been carried out by means of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applied to both selected areas.