Dissimilar Profiles Research Articles

Friction Stir Welded AA5052-H32 under Dissimilar Pin Profile and Preheat Temperature: Microstructural Observations and Mechanical Properties

In order to meet the escalating demand in the shipbuilding business, suitable materials with enhanced qualities are required to maximize ship cargo while reducing fuel consumption. Aluminum (Al) and its alloys are competing contenders for use in a variety of complicated ship structures. The major challenge to enhancing joint quality and performance is the quest for a viable and efficient FSW parameter. The main focus of this study was to critically explore the effect of the tool pin profile and the preheat temperature used during the friction stir welding of AA 5052-H32 on its mechanical properties and weld microstructure characteristics. There are three pin profile variations, including samples that were cylindrical, samples with two flat sides, and samples with three flat sides, all of which were investigated in different preheat temperatures (150–300 °C). The results that were obtained during macrographic observation showed that tunnel defects were visible in the cylindrical and two-flat-sided pin profile designs. During observations of the microstructure, it was observed that the grain size became finer and smaller in the weld nugget compared to in the heat affected zone (HAZ) and thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) regions due to dynamic recrystallization. However, at the 300 °C preheat variation, the grain size appeared to be larger due to the slower cooling rate, causing a decrease in the mechanical properties of the samples. The results of the physical tests determined that the preheat temperature caused an increase in the mechanical properties until 250 °C, at which point the three-flat-sided pin profile tool demonstrated superior mechanical properties compared to the tools with a cylindrical design; a 12.2% tensile strength increase, a 15.3% and 9.4% face and root bending increase, and an 11.2% hardness increase were observed.

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting residual signals can disassociate human grey matter regions.

The importance of accurate structural discrimination of the human grey matter regions has motivated the development of observer-independent reproducible methods that account for inter-individual architectonic variations. We introduce a non-invasive statistical residual analysis framework, employing unique tissue-specific magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) signals after adjusting for the effect of T1 and T2* MR relaxometry parameters (here termed MRF residuals). A 7T Siemens MR scanner was used to acquire MRF signals, quantitative transmit magnetic field (B1+) maps and T1-weighted anatomical images of eleven cortical areas (5L, 5M, 5Ci, 7A, 7P, 7PC, hIP3, BA2, BA4a, BA4p and BA6) from six female participants. MRF residual signal for each voxel was calculated as the difference between the actual and best matching MRF signal evolutions from a precomputed MRF dictionary covering a range of T1, T2* and B1+ values. To compare MRF residuals between regionsofinterest, normalised autocorrelation was used as a shape-based statistical signal characterisation method and the Euclidean distance between autocorrelation profiles of residuals was used to measure the interareal dissimilarity. In the eleven cortical areas in both cerebral hemispheres of six participants, the proposed MRF residual analysis consistently showed interareal dissimilarity profiles that concorded with histological studies, indicating that MRF residuals potentially contain tissue microstructural information. MRF residual signals provide additional area-specific information that is complementary to the MR relaxometry-based (T1, T2*) information used previously for distinguishing microstructural differences between human cerebral cortex regions in vivo. The proposed approach led to more accurate identification of structural variations across cortical areas of interest.

Characteristics, preferences and perceptions of recreational fishers in northern Patagonia, Argentina

This study aims to compare the characteristics, preferences and perceptions of fishers in the recreational fisheries of San Blas (SB), El Cóndor (EC) and La Ensenada (LE), using the roving creel survey technique. No difference was detected in fishers’ characteristics (age, years of fishing experience, occupation), but the number of visits made per year was lowest in SB, which is located furthest away from large cities. The three fishing sites also showed significant differences in expenditure per trip. An inverse correlation between expenditure and number of visits per year in relation to distance travelled was observed only in SB. Micropogonias furnieri was the main target species In SB and EC fisheries, and Odontesthes sp. was the main one in LE. Most fishers in LE reported that fish size had not varied over time, while in SB and EC they considered that fish size had decreased in recent years. In all three sites, however, there was agreement on the decreasing trend observed in the number of fish caught per fishing trip. Between 70 and 90% of fishers agreed that there should be restrictions through daily quotas and minimum size, and recognized chondrichthyans as threatened species. It is concluded that the three fisheries presented fairly dissimilar profiles, suggesting that Patagonian recreational fisheries need to be assessed on a local scale instead of using a one-size-fits-all strategy, in order to recognize their differences and implement appropriate management measures. Understanding the preferences, motivations and demands of fishers is important if we are to update current regulations and improve the management of recreational Patagonian fisheries. This will contribute to their preservation as a valuable ecosystem service without compromising natural resources.

Prediction of Cancer Stem Cell Fate by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Functionalized Nanoprobes.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the fundamental building blocks of cancer dissemination, so it is desirable to develop a technique to predict the behavior of CSCs during tumor initiation and relapse. It will provide a powerful tool for pathological prognosis. Currently, there exists no method of such prediction. Here, we introduce nickel-based functionalized nanoprobe facilitated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for prediction of cancer dissemination by undertaking CSC-based surveillance. SERS profiling of CSCs of various cell lines (breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer) was compared with their cancer counterparts for the prediction of prognosis, with statistical significance of single-cell sensitivity. The single-cell sensitivity is critical as even a few CSCs are capable of initiating a tumor. Intermediate states of CSC transmutation to cancer cells and its reverse were monitored, and nanoprobe-assisted SERS profiling was undertaken. We experimentally demonstrated that the quasi-intermediate CSC states have dissimilar profiles during the transformation from cancer to CSC and vice versa enabling statistical differentiation without ambiguity. It was also observed that molecular signatures of these opposite pathways are cancer-type specific. This observation provided additional clarity to the current understanding of relatively unfamiliar quasi-intermediate states; making it possible to predict CSC dissemination for variety of cancers with ∼99% accuracy. Nano probe-based prediction of CSC fate is a powerful prediction tool for ultrasensitive prognosis of malignancy in a complex environment. Such CSC-based cancer prognosis has never been proposed before. This prediction technique has potential to provide insights for cancer diagnosis and prognosis as well as for obtaining information instrumental in designing of meaningful CSC-based cancer therapeutics.

Abstract 2947: Towards advanced precision oncology assays - Selection of immunohistochemistry chromogen impacts microdissection and downstream molecular analysis of archival specimens

Abstract Introduction: Precision medicine promises to improve patient treatment outcomes based on the application of molecular profiling methodologies to pathological specimens. This approach enables the development of rationally derived therapy assignments for each individual patient's tumor (versus categorical treatment assignments). Since tumors are composed of heterogeneous cells forming clusters of subtypes, dissimilar molecular profiles may emerge depending on which region is sampled and analyzed. Additionally, a manual slide scrape may result in a reduced or nearly absent molecular signal (i.e. key driver). Clearly, for cancer there is a need for an efficient, upfront enrichment method to specifically isolate specific tumor cell populations. Immuno-Laser Capture Microdissection (immuno-LCM) is a technology based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) that can isolate specific cell types from a heterogeneous cellular population. We sought to determine the impact of various IHC chromogens on the efficacy of microdissection and downstream molecular analysis from immuno-LCM samples. Methods: Histological tissue specimens (clinical colorectal and lung cancer PDX) were processed using traditional IHC methods with a variety of chromogens, including: Vector Black, Impact Vector Red, 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC), and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB). These chromogens were evaluated for staining quality, microdissection efficiency, biomolecular extraction, and evaluation of specific molecular targets. Results: Interestingly, DAB, the most commonly used chromogen, demonstrated a negative impact on the retrieval of biomolecules from immuno-LCM samples. However, chromogens such as Vector Black and Impact Vector Red showed much improved biomolecule extraction compared to DAB even though the yield of microdissected material was comparable. While other chromogens, such as AEC, demonstrated a greater efficiency of biomolecule extraction but showed incomplete immuno-LCM of specific IHC-stained cells. Conclusions: The data indicate that traditional IHC chromogens should be carefully considered when using immuno-LCM to analyze biomolecules. Citation Format: Sarah Laun, Adam Roberge, Robert Weigman, Aubrey Lewis, Valarie Greisman, Meeiyueh Liu, Owen Stephens, Erich Peterson, Ikjae Shin, Michael Emmert-Buck, Michael Tangrea, Donald J. Johann. Towards advanced precision oncology assays - Selection of immunohistochemistry chromogen impacts microdissection and downstream molecular analysis of archival specimens [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2947.

Abstract 4941: Identification and isolation of ovarian cancer stem cell populations using a novel functional reporter may provide new insights into ovarian cancer cell dynamics and drug resistance

Abstract Background: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy mainly due to a high prevalence of chemotherapy-resistant recurrent disease. This mechanism is unknown but recent studies have pointed to a small population of chemoresistant cancer stem cells (CSC) as the driver of these recurrences. Traditional surface markers of cancer stem cells (CD44, ALDH, CD117, etc.) have shown mixed success in identifying this subpopulation, with different cell lines and patient samples exhibiting dissimilar profiles. These markers are often related to the cell of origin and are not necessarily specific to CSCs. As such, a reporter that responds to functional features of stem cells would be beneficial in identifying the CSC subpopulation regardless of cell line and patient sample. Here we demonstrate that using a reporter to detect SOX2 and OCT4 overexpression (called SORE6) can identify the CSC subpopulation within ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods: The SORE6 reporter was stably transduced into OV90 and ACI23 ovarian cancer cell lines. The subpopulation of cells having high SOX2/OCT4 expression (SORE6+) were isolated using fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACs) and evaluated for CSC characteristics relative to SORE6- cells. Gene expression, viability, spheroid formation capacity, and tumorigenicity was assessed for both SORE6+ and SORE6- cells. In vivo limiting dilution analyses were performed on athymic nude female mice using subcutaneous injection. Results: Compared to the bulk population which has low levels of SOX2/OCT4 expression (SORE6-), SORE6+ cells showed a 1.5-fold increase in SOX2/OCT4/NANOG transcript levels in ACI23 cells and 2 to 15-fold increase in these transcript levels in the OV90 cells. SORE6+ cells showed enhanced chemoresistance when treated with conventional chemotherapies for ovarian cancer, carboplatin and paclitaxel, although this difference was more dramatic in the OV90 cells (four-fold) relative to ACI23 (two-fold). These findings indicate that SOX2/OCT4 expression could contribute to drug resistance and clinical recurrence. SORE6+ cells also showed an increased capacity to form spheroids in low-serum conditions and again this difference was more dramatic in the OV90 cells. In vivo limiting dilution studies are underway but appear to show significant differences in tumorigenicity at low dilutions of ≤5,000 cells/mouse. Conclusion: The SORE6 reporter construct identifies CSC populations within ovarian cancer cell lines and may be a reliable tool for isolating CSCs that depend on SOX2 and OCT4 expression. Use of this reporter will enhance our understanding of mechanisms that support chemoresistance and enable the study of CSC dynamics within the tumor microenvironment, both of which have significant implications for ovarian cancer progression and treatment. Citation Format: Samuel F. Gilbert, Mikella Robinson, Logan A. Alexander, Omar Lujano-Olazaba, Jacqueline M. Lara, Jennifer A. Waters, Omid Patrus, Alex Horkowitz, Carrie D. House. Identification and isolation of ovarian cancer stem cell populations using a novel functional reporter may provide new insights into ovarian cancer cell dynamics and drug resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4941.

Perfil del estudiante y desempeño en actividades virtuales de retroalimentación entre pares en torno a capítulos de tesis de posgrado

Estudios centrados en las prácticas de enseñanza de la escritura en el posgrado sugieren que las propuestas basadas en el intercambio con pares y expertos (profesores y supervisores), ya sea en instancias de formación presencial como virtual, hacen posible abordar y profundizar las diferentes dimensiones (experienciales, epistemológicas y textuales) que están involucradas en la elaboración de la tesis. Con el objeto de ahondar en estos hallazgos, el presente artículo analiza las intervenciones que estudiantes con diferentes perfiles escriturales comparten en grupos de trabajo conformados por dos integrantes y un docente respecto de capítulos avanzados de las tesis de posgrado del par. La experiencia se implementa en un seminario virtual que se desarrolló durante 2017, con 90 horas de duración, en la Moodle institucional de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. La aproximación a los perfiles se obtiene mediante varios instrumentos de diagnóstico. Se propone que los estudiantes y también el docente experto analicen los capítulos en función de tres fases, cada una de una semana de duración: la primera centrada en el modelo de la situación comunicativa y el modelo del evento; la segunda, en el modelo textual con foco en el reconocimiento de movimientos y pasos; la tercera, en el modelo textual con foco en las estrategias lingüísticas. Desde un sistema categorial exhaustivo que se aplica a un corpus de 584 comentarios, los resultados permiten reconocer similitudes y diferencias en las retroalimentaciones de los estudiantes de perfil semejante y de perfil disímil.

The Brazilian agribusiness labor market: measurement, characterization and analysis of income differentials

Abstract: Although the Brazilian agribusiness sector’s relevance to the country has been widely recognized nowadays, to date, no study has been developed to evaluate the level of employment in this sector as a whole for Brazil. Therefore, the first objective of this study is to access the Brazilian agribusiness labor market, and to measure it, analyze its structure and characterize its workers. Agribusiness worker income differentials were also contrasted with income differentials in the aggregated non-agribusiness labor force. The main results from the study are as follows: a) in 2017, 18.2 million individuals, 20.1% of the country’s labor force, worked in the Brazilian agribusiness sector; b) agribusiness workers were predominately unskilled or semi-skilled with a low level of schooling; c) a large proportion of the sector’s labor force were not formally employed; and d) the average income of agribusiness employees was lower than that of individuals in other economic sectors. There is also extreme labor market heterogeneity among agribusiness sector segments – with the primary segment presenting a noticeably dissimilar profile – and a significant income differential associated with different labor market statuses, economic sub-sectors and locations, and with individual characteristics such as level of schooling, skin tone and gender.

An empirical evaluation of dynamic vs static withdrawal strategies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare simple dynamic withdrawal strategies with the static withdrawal method, examining not only failure rates and ending wealth but also spending. All withdrawal strategies are adjusted for the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) required minimum distribution (RMD). In addition, this study investigates the use of small company stocks (SCS) in place of large company stocks (LCS). Results indicate SCS portfolios are superior to large. When returns are poor, some dynamic strategies will not ensure income for life. This study demonstrates that the simplest dynamic strategy is superior to two popular dynamic strategies. Design/methodology/approach Using historical overlapping periods, different withdrawal strategies are examined. Previous studies focused on failure rates and ending wealth. As discussed in Milevsky (2016) different statistical distributions can have similar tail properties (prob of failure) but dissimilar risk and return profile. The detailed examination of both spending and use of small stocks advances the literature in this area. Findings Results indicate that use of small stocks is superior to using large stocks in the portfolios. When US historical stock returns are adjusted downward, there is the potential that some dynamic strategies will not ensure income for life. This study demonstrates that the simplest dynamic strategy is superior to two popular dynamic strategies. Originality/value This paper is the first to examine, in detail, annual spending results for the retiree. Second, it is shown that, overall, SCS are superior to LCS for all stock/bond allocations. Even though absolute downside risk increases slightly, this increase in downside risk is dominated by the upside potential. In other words, the positive skewness of small stock returns along with the cumulative effects of compounding at a higher rate increases both the available wealth for spending and ending wealth. Third, IRS’s RMDs are taken into account for every withdrawal strategy examined. Lastly, it demonstrates that the simplest dynamic strategy is superior to two popular dynamic strategies.

Chemical Fingerprint of 'Oblačinska' Sour Cherry (Prunuscerasus L.) Pollen.

The aim of this research was to analyze sugars and phenolics of pollen obtained from 15 different ‘Oblačinska’ sour cherry clones and to assess the chemical fingerprint of this cultivar. Carbohydrate analysis was done using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD), while polyphenols were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD MS/MS) system. Glucose was the most abundant sugar, followed by fructose and sucrose. Some samples had high level of stress sugars, especially trehalose. Rutin was predominantly polyphenol in a quantity up to 181.12 mg/kg (clone III/9), with chlorogenic acid (up to 59.93 mg/kg in clone III/9) and p-coumaric acid (up to 53.99 mg/kg in clone VIII/1) coming after. According to the principal component analysis (PCA), fructose, maltose, maltotriose, sorbitol, and trehalose were the most important sugars in separating pollen samples. PCA showed splitting off clones VIII/1, IV/8, III/9, and V/P according to the quantity of phenolics and dissimilar profiles. Large differences in chemical composition of studied ‘Oblačinska sour cherry’ clone pollen were shown, proving that it is not a cultivar, but population. Finally, due to the highest level of phenolics, clones IV/8, XV/3, and VIII/1 could be singled out as a promising one for producing functional food and/or in medicinal treatments.

A comprehensive analysis of the Lactuca sativa, L. transcriptome during different stages of the compatible interaction with Rhizoctonia solani

The leafy green vegetable Lactuca sativa, L. is susceptible to the soil-born fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB. In a previous study, we reported on the transcriptional response of R. solani AG1-IB (isolate 7/3/14) during the interspecies interaction with L. sativa cv. Tizian by means of RNA sequencing. Here we present the L. sativa transcriptome and metabolome from the same experimental approach. Three distinct interaction zones were sampled and compared to a blank (non-inoculated) sample: symptomless zone 1, zone 2 showing light brown discoloration, and a dark brown zone 3 characterized by necrotic lesions. Throughout the interaction, we observed a massive reprogramming of the L. sativa transcriptome, with 9231 unique genes matching the threshold criteria for differential expression. The lettuce transcriptome of the light brown zone 2 presents the most dissimilar profile compared to the uninoculated zone 4, marking the main stage of interaction. Transcripts putatively encoding several essential proteins that are involved in maintaining jasmonic acid and auxin homeostasis were found to be negatively regulated. These and other indicator transcripts mark a potentially inadequate defence response, leading to a compatible interaction. KEGG pathway mapping and GC-MS metabolome data revealed large changes in amino acid, lignin and hemicellulose related pathways and related metabolites.

Limb apraxia profiles in different clinical samples

Objective: Limb apraxia is a motor cognitive disorder that has been mainly studied in patients with dementia or left hemisphere stroke (LHS). However, limb apraxia has also been reported in patients with right hemisphere stroke (RHS), multiple sclerosis (MS) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study’s aim was to report detailed praxis performance profiles in samples suffering from these different neurological disorders by use of the Diagnostic Instrument for Limb Apraxia (DILA-S).Method: 44 LHS patients, 36 RHS patients, 27 patients with dementia, 26 MS and 44 TBI patients participated. The diagnostics included the imitation of meaningless and meaningful hand gestures, pantomime of tool-use, single real tool-use as well as a multistep naturalistic action task (preparing breakfast).Results: Apraxia occurred in all tested samples but to a varying degree and with dissimilar profiles. LHS patients demonstrated most severe deficits in pantomime, but they were also vulnerable to deficits in real tool-use. Dementia patients showed high incidence rates of apraxia in almost all subscales of the DILA-S. RHS patients demonstrated difficulties in imitation and pantomime of tool-use, but they did not show severe difficulties with real tool-use. TBI patients appeared challenged by multistep naturalistic actions. The tested MS sample did not show clinically relevant symptoms in the DILA-S.Conclusion: Different types of patients display varying limb apraxic symptoms detectable by the DILA-S. In these limb apraxia susceptible populations, testing should be warranted as standard. Prospectively, individual error profiles may be helpful for shaping motor cognitive training.

Cocaine increases the stimulation of dopamine release, at variance with atypical dopamine uptake inhibitors. New clues for the abuse liability of psychostimulants?

Dopamine uptake inhibitors (DUIs), such as cocaine and methylphenidate, are characterized by their ability to bind to the dopamine transporter (DAT) and prevent dopamine (DA) from being transported from the extracellular to the intracellular side of a neuronal terminal. It was originally posited that all DUIs would have the same effect on behavior, neurochemistry, and abuse liability in animal models as well as humans. However, a subset of these drugs, atypical DUIs (e.g. JHW007), have shown dissimilar profiles. While these DUIs have the same target and similar binding affinities to typical DUIs, their effects on behavior and neurochemistry are markedly different and predict little to no abuse liability in animal models.The goal of the present study was to determine how the neurochemistry of this atypical subset of DUIs differs from typical DUIs in mice. A pharmacological approach was taken utilizing Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV), for real time monitoring of DA release and reuptake from the terminal; Fiber Photometry (FP), for real time monitoring of Ca2+ fluctuations in the terminal; and Electrophysiological (Ephys) ligand displacement experiments, to characterize the interactions between DUIs and the DAT.FSCV data indicate that cocaine and other abused DUIs have effects on both DA reuptake (by binding to the DAT and blocking DA transport) and stimulated release (causing an increase in mobilization of DA vesicles). In contrast the atypical DUIs, such as JHW007, have similar effects on DA reuptake, but do not cause a significant increase in stimulated DA release. FP experiments show how this difference influences Ca2+ fluctuations. JHW007 has a greater dose‐dependent impact on the influx of Ca2+ following stimulation than cocaine. Further Ephys experiments indicate a correlation between DA release and the off‐rate for each DUI, while no significant correlation was found for DA release and DAT affinity. Our data suggest 1) the dopaminergic effects of cocaine and other typical DUIs are not solely related to their ability to block the DAT; 2) DAT affinity alone is not an indicator for abuse liability; 3) the effect of the DUIs on the quaternary structure of the DAT and its downstream interactions may play an important role in the effects of typical DUIs related to abuse. Our preclinical results suggest that atypical DUIs can mitigate the effects of cocaine, leading to possible treatment candidates for psychostimulant use disorders in humans.Support or Funding InformationThis research was funded in part by the Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, IRP, NIH/DHHSThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Germination period of rice beans analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography- quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS): effects of methyl jasmonate and metabolites profile

ABSTRACT Rice bean (Vigna umbellata) is consumed as a common vegetable in Southeast Asia. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) functions as an endogenous/exogenous stress signal to elicit the production of specific metabolites during sprouting. To elucidate the changes in metabolites and the effects of MeJA on rice bean sprouting, non-targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry along with principal component analysis and supervised orthogonal projection to latent structure-discriminant analysis was performed to analyze the dissimilar profiles among the sprouts at different stages. Analysis of the abundance of biomarkers, such as sugars, free fatty acids, amino acids, flavonoids, benzoic acid derivatives, triglycerides, and lipids, showed the main effects of MeJA involved in the significant metabolite pathways. Our study elucidated the changes in rice bean composition and metabolites associated with various stages of sprouting and the roles of MeJA in sprout physiology. Our results can help improve this economically important grain crop.

Swedish Version of the Hayling Test: Clinical Utility in Frontotemporal Dementia Syndromes.

The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of a Swedish version of the Hayling test (HT-S) and its clinical utility in a group of patients with different frontotemporal dementia (FTD) syndromes. Early diagnosis of FTD is a challenge and requires a broad arsenal of assessment methods, neuropsychological tests not the least. The Hayling test assesses executive functions including initiation, efficiency and response inhibition. Seventy-six healthy controls were included as well as patients with the behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD; n = 17), semantic dementia (SD, n = 6), and progressive supranuclear palsy (n = 12). The Color Word Interference Test was administered to examine the construct validity. Age showed a correlation with better performances in younger participants whereas the importance of sex and education were less evident. The split half reliability and internal consistency were equal to, or better, than reported for the original version. The interrater reliability was excellent. The construct validity was supported, nevertheless indicating partly different processes behind the performances of the two tests. The FTD group performed significantly worse than healthy controls on efficiency and response inhibition and there were also significant differences in performances between the syndromes despite small samples. The psychometric properties and clinical utility of the Swedish version are satisfactory for measuring efficiency and response inhibition with results indicating dissimilar profiles in the performances in the different syndromes. These results need to be corroborated in larger samples. (JINS, 2019, 25, 195-203).

The effect of amorphous and crystal sodium warfarin and its content uniformity on bioequivalence of tablets

Warfarin is intensively discussed in terms of generic substitution due to particular cases of bleeding, which are attributable to fluctuations in API content or the substitution of crystalline (WSC) for amorphous (WSA) warfarin. The aim of this study was to assess to what extent the in vitro release was affected by the form of API depending on the composition and technology. Bioequivalent tablets containing 5 mg of WSA or WSC prepared by wet granulation or direct compression were used. Furthermore, tablets of the same composition with WSC or WSA prepared by direct compression were evaluated. Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of WSA or WSC. The dissolution was more influenced by the technology than by the form of API but even tablets with dissimilar profiles were bioequivalent. This is probably due to the precipitation of WSA and WSC in the stomach on a poorly soluble acidic form, which subsequently dissolves in the neutral environment of the small intestine. Recrystallization was demonstrated in the in vitro assay at a pH of 1.2 and 4.5 using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. In summary, the content uniformity appears to be the main factor affecting the safety of the treatment.

Metabolic shift in sugars and amino acids regulates sprouting in Saffron corm

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices of the world. Since this spice is triploid and meiosis is unusual, it cannot reproduce sexually like other plants; rather, it is propagated vegetatively via an underground corm, which can withstand a long dry dormant period before sprouting. Thus, corms are indispensable to saffron propagation. To identify and analyse signature metabolites associated with the ‘dormancy-sprouting’ process, non-targeted GC-MS was performed at different stages of corm development. Comparative metabolite profiling reflected dissimilar profiles among the stages as portrayed by differential cluster patterns of metabolites in the PCA and PLS-DA analysis. Correlation analysis revealed the interdependencies of individual metabolites and metabolic pathway. At the onset of stage 2, characterized by the initiation and differentiation of leaf primordia, a shift from dormancy to active metabolism occurred as derived from the increased abundance of sugars and other metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolytic, amino acid and fatty acid pathways. These changes contribute to sprouting and vegetative growth of the corm. The present study provides new insights into saffron corm composition and metabolite changes associated with various stages of corm development and may pave the way for achieving agronomical improvements in this economically important spice.

Bauxite formation on Proterozoic bedrock of Suriname

Lateritic bauxite deposits in Suriname rest on a variety of metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary parent rocks. Remnants of multiple planation surfaces with duricrusts that mark the tropical landscape are associated with recurrent episodes of bauxite formation since Late Cretaceous times. Plateau-type bauxites at the highest topographic levels developed on a range of Proterozoic crystalline bedrocks on the northern edge of the Guiana Shield in the country's interior. Weathering profiles of the Bakhuis Mountains, Nassau Mountains, Lely Mountains and Brownsberg largely correspond to the classical sequence of an iron-rich cap on top of a bauxite layer that covers a clay-rich saprolite interval grading into weathered and fresh bedrock. All of the investigated profiles are consistent with in-situ formation of the bauxite and are marked by Si-Al-Fe relationships indicative of medium to strong lateritization, with fresh bedrock being poorly exposed. The bauxite deposits contain gibbsite as the dominant Al-bearing phase, whereas boehmite is locally present in subordinate quantities. Their ferruginous character is expressed by relatively abundant goethite and hematite in the top layers. Kaolinite is the main mineral in the saprolite. Anatase and zircon are the most detected minor phases. The investigated bauxite deposits are generally of a medium-grade (average Al2O3 contents 33–49wt%) but have variable chemical compositions according to exploration drilling results. Average Fe2O3 contents (13–34wt%) show inverse relationships with Al2O3. Despite this overall conformity of the deposits, their thicknesses, textures, mineralogy and geochemistry are distinct in detail, reflecting contrasts in the nature of the parent rock and weathering history. Inter-element relationships show conspicuous differences between SiO2-poor (<5wt%) upper parts and SiO2-richer (>5wt%) lower parts of profiles in the Bakhuis Mountains, which developed on high-grade metamorphic pyroxene amphibolites and gneissic granulites. The bauxites of the Nassau Mountains and the other areas in eastern Suriname are marked by higher TiO2 contents (average>3.9wt%) and dissimilar profiles that reflect their development on variety of a low-grade metamorphic volcanic parent rocks. Weathering-induced redistribution of rare-earth and other trace elements affected even the least mobile elements. Differences in distribution patterns between individual profiles can be attributed to a combination of primary compositional differences of parent rocks, the nature and content of accessory mineral phases, and unequal responses to multiple bauxitization cycles.

Are newspapers’ news stories becoming more alike? Media content diversity in Belgium, 1983–2013

In recent years, communication scholars have expressed concerns about the diversity of news media content. While we live in an era of ‘news abundance’ – the number of outlets and channels has increased enormously – the available news is argued to have become more of the same, but has it? As empirical evidence is lacking, this article verifies whether newspapers in Flanders (Belgium), over time, have indeed become less diverse in terms of the news stories they cover. Based on data from a longitudinal content analysis of nine Flemish newspapers at four points in time (1983, 1993, 2003, and 2013), it shows that (1) newspapers, in general, have not become more alike in terms of news stories; (2) newspapers with a similar profile (elite/popular) are less diverse than newspapers with dissimilar profiles; and (3) newspapers owned by the same media group (concentration of media ownership) are more alike than independently owned newspapers.

Malignant canine mammary tumours: Preliminary genomic insights using oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridisation analysis

Neoplastic mammary disease in female dogs represents a major health concern for dog owners and veterinarians, but the genomic basis of the disease is poorly understood. In this study, we performed high resolution oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridisation (oaCGH) to assess genome wide DNA copy number changes in 10 malignant canine mammary tumours from seven female dogs, including multiple tumours collected at one time from each of three female dogs. In all but two tumours, genomic imbalances were detected, with losses being more common than gains. Canine chromosomes 9, 22, 26, 27, 34 and X were most frequently affected. Dissimilar oaCGH ratio profiles were observed in multiple tumours from the same dogs, providing preliminary evidence for probable independent pathogenesis. Analysis of adjacent samples of one tumour revealed regional differences in the number of genomic imbalances, suggesting heterogeneity within tumours.