Rebound In Response Research Articles

Real-world effectiveness of molnupiravir, azvudine and paxlovid against mortality and viral clearance among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesIn this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to assess clinical effectiveness and viral clearance following the use of molnupiravir, azvudine and paxlovid in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in China dominated by the omicron BA.5.2 and BF.7 subvariant of SARS-CoV-2. MethodsEnrolled patients were assigned to the molnupiravir group or the azvudine group or the paxlovid group or the control group (not taking any antiviral drugs). The primary outcome of the cohort study was viral clearance and viral burden rebound after treatment and the secondary outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality. The four groups were propensity score-matched (1:1). We plotted viral load trends for each antiviral drug intervention using locally weighted regression (LOWESS) smoothed data. Multivariate logistic regression (stepwise algorithm) models were used to determine any risk factors for 28-day mortality. ResultsOf the 1537 patients receiving any treatment, 886 (57.6 %) received molnupiravir, 390 (25.4 %) received azvudine, 94 (6.1 %) received paxlovid, and 167 (10.9 %) did not use any antiviral drugs. Our data analysis showed that age (OR = 1.05, 95 % CI: 1.03-1.07, P < 0.001), Charlson comorbidty index (OR = 1.32, 95 % CI: 1.18-1.48, P < 0.001), severity of COVID-19 (P < 0.001), gamma globulin (OR = 2.04, 95 % CI: 1.03-3.99, P = 0.039) and corticosteroids use (OR = 2.3, 95 % CI: 1.19-4.69, P = 0.017) were independent prognostic factors for 28-day mortality in COVID-19 patients. After propensity score matching (PSM), the paxlovid recipients (OR = 0.22, 95 % CI: 0.05–0.83, P = 0.036) or azvudine recipients (OR = 0.27, 95 % CI: 0.07-0.91, P = 0.046) had lower 28-day mortality compared to their matched controls. Viral rebound occurred in the control group around days 9-16, while no viral rebound was found in any of the three oral antiviral groups. We found that molnupiravir group performed comparably in terms of the rate of nucleic acid conversion negative compared with the paxlovid group, while azvudine group performed slightly worse compared with the paxlovid group or molnupiravir group. ConclusionsIn our retrospective cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the wave of omicron strain, the molnupiravir, paxlovid and azvudine recipients showed a faster and more stable decrease in viral load and rare virus rebound in response to antiviral treatments when compared to the controls. The study supported that initiation treatment with paxlovid and azvudine was associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause death within 28 days.

Resilient CD8 +T cells maintain a high cytotoxic capacity by balancing ROS and energy needs via ME1 upregulation

Abstract Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are indispensable in anti-tumor immunity. Although CTLs are prone to exhaustion in patients with advanced cancer, T cell resiliency explains the presence of tumor-reactive CTLs that are less exhausted, capable of cytolytic function, expansion, and rebound in response to immunotherapy to reject metastatic malignancies. However, the features of resilient T cells have not been clearly defined. In this report, we demonstrate that peripheral CX3CR1 +CD8 +T cells with low mitochondrial membrane potential rebounded CTL function quickly after radiation therapy in patients with large tumor burden portraying their functional resiliency. Furthermore, CX3CR1 +CD8 +T cell with low, but not high, mitochondrial membrane potential are highly cytotoxic, accumulate less reactive oxygen species (ROS), and express more Malic enzyme 1 (ME1). ME1 overexpression increases ATP production in a glycolysis-independent manner while concurrently curtailing excessive ROS in activated CD8 +T cells; and expands CX3CR1 +NKG7 +effector CD8 +T cells with enhanced cytotoxicity. Importantly, transfection of ME1 mRNA promotes tumoricidal activity in CD8 +T cells from patients with advanced cancers. Our study reveals a mechanism used by CTLs to balance excessive ROS via ME1 to maintain a metabolic and functional resiliency. Modification of ME1 expression in CTLs may be a novel method to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy by preventing T cell exhaustion. Supported by grants from Mayo Clinic Foundation and NIH (R01CA 256927-2)

Postglacial relative sea level change in Norway

We present the first comprehensive postglacial relative sea-level (RSL) database for the Norwegian coast from Oslo to the Kola Peninsula. The database spans the last 20 kyrs and is composed of 413 index points and 610 limiting data points derived from raised beaches, archeological data, glaciomarine terraces, and sedimentary indicators from isolation basins, salt marshes, and peat bogs. The data are quality controlled, assigned standardized indicative meanings, and recalibrated to current standards. We use an ensemble of Bayesian statistical models, trained on sea-level index points and weighted by their fit to both index and sea-level limiting points, to assess the spatiotemporal patterns of Norwegian RSL change. Continuous RSL fall driven by isostatic rebound in response to Eurasian ice sheet collapse dominates the RSL signal at every inland location in Norway. A first transgression (episode of RSL rise), which occurred in southwest Norway during the Younger Dryas (14–11.7 ka), increased RSL by as much as 15 m in some locations. A second transgression, named the Tapes transgression, occurred during the early-mid Holocene between 10 and 5.5 ka. The spatiotemporal model ensemble constrains the timing, amplitude, and spatial distribution of the Younger Dryas and Tapes transgressions. Based on our modeling results, we speculate that the Tapes Transgression was the result of global mean sea level rise temporarily outpacing isostasy-driven RSL fall, while the Younger Dryas Transgression was likely the result of local ice sheet readvance combined with low viscosity asthenosphere and weak lithosphere in the region. We also describe the effects of peripheral bulge migration on Norwegian RSL, which caused increased RSL in the early Holocene and a delayed Tapes transgression. We show that postglacial RSL data in Norway contain complex spatiotemporal patterns of nearfield RSL change that can best be estimated by combining a high-quality data compilation with glacial isostatic adjustment modeling via a robust statistical model.

Analysis of the causes of rising water content in the late stage of poly-drive in western block III of Area B and study of adjustment methods

Seizing the main contradiction of fast water-bearing rebound in western block III, analyzing the reasons of fast water-bearing rebound in response to the contradiction, meanwhile, by understanding the mechanism of polymer oil drive and combining the development effect of three western injection and gathering blocks, finding out that the main problem of slowing down water-bearing rebound is the establishment of pressure system, and therefore the corresponding management measures at the injection and extraction ends respectively.

Controls on Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Slope Deformation in an Alpine Valley

AbstractA comprehensive surface displacement monitoring system installed in the recently deglaciated bedrock slopes of the Aletsch Valley shows systematic reversible motions at the annual scale. We explore potential drivers for this deformation signal and demonstrate that the main driver is pore pressure changes of groundwater in fractured granitic mountain slopes. The spatial pattern of these reversible annual deformations shows similar magnitudes and orientations for adjacent monitoring points, leading to the hypothesis that the annually reversible deformation is caused by slope‐scale groundwater elevation changes and rock mass properties. Conversely, we show that the ground reaction to infiltration from snowmelt and summer rainstorms can be highly heterogeneous at local scale, and that brittle‐ductile fault zones are key features for the groundwater pressure‐related rock mass deformations. We also observe irreversible long‐term trends (over the 6.5 years data set) of deformation in the Aletsch valley composed of a larger uplift than observed at our reference GNSS station in the Rhone valley, and horizontal displacements of the slopes towards the valley. These observations can be attributed respectively to the elastic bedrock rebound in response to current glacier mass downwasting of the Great Aletsch Glacier and gravitational slope deformations enabled by cyclic groundwater pressure‐related rock mass fatigue in the fractured rock slopes.

129 Greater NREM Sleep Rebound in Response to Experimental Sleep Disturbance Associated with Higher Inflammatory Resolution in Humans

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbances deteriorate immune function by not only affecting pro-inflammatory pathways, but also inflammatory resolution pathways, which actively terminate inflammation. It is assumed that slow wave sleep (SWS) amount and slow wave activity (SWA) convey the immune-supportive functions of sleep. We investigated whether changes in SWS induced by experimental sleep disturbance followed by recovery sleep predict changes in inflammatory resolution mediators. Methods The randomized controlled within-subjects trial (N=24, 20-42 years, 12 women) consisted of two 19-day in-hospital protocols (experimental sleep disturbance/control). After three nights of baseline sleep (8h/night), participants in the experimental sleep disturbance condition were exposed to three cycles of three nights of disturbed sleep (delayed sleep-onset, hourly sleep disruption, advanced sleep-offset) followed by one night of 8h-recovery sleep. The protocol ended with three nights of recovery sleep. In the control condition, participants had uninterrupted sleep (8h/night). Sleep (PSG) and resolvin lipid mediators in plasma (1100h, LC-MS/MS) were assessed at baseline, during the last cycle of sleep disturbance, and during/after the first and third night of final recovery sleep. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and Pearson/Spearman correlations. Results As expected, SWS amount decreased during experimental sleep disturbance and increased during the first recovery sleep night (p&amp;lt;.001). Similarly, resolvin (Rv) D2 and RvD3 decreased during sleep disturbance and RvD2 increased with subsequent recovery sleep (p&amp;lt;.001). The SWS response did not correlate with the resolvin response to sleep disturbance or to recovery sleep. However, the NREM sleep response correlated with the resolvin response during the third recovery sleep night, i.e., a greater NREM response was associated with a greater RvD2 and RvD3 response (r=.68, p=.002; r=.58, p=.012). In contrast, a greater REM sleep response was associated with a lower resolvin response (r=−.63, p=.005; r=−.66, p=.003). Conclusion These data suggest that during recovery from sleep disturbance, NREM rather than REM sleep promotes inflammatory resolution, thereby acting as the sleep state that protects against low-grade systemic inflammation, which has been frequently observed as a consequence of sleep disturbances. Analysis whether SWA is related to inflammatory resolution is in progress. Support (if any) NIH/NINDS R01-NS091177; NIH/NCRR UL1-RR02758, M01-RR01032; German Research Foundation (DFG) EN1291/1-1.

High and low expression of the hyperpolarization activated current (Ih ) in mouse CA1 stratum oriens interneurons.

Inhibitory interneurons are among the most diverse cell types in the brain; the hippocampus itself contains more than 28 different inhibitory interneurons. Interneurons are typically classified using a combination of physiological, morphological, and biochemical observations. One broad separator is action potential firing: low threshold, regular spiking versus higher threshold, fast spiking. We found that spike frequency adaptation (SFA) was highly heterogeneous in low threshold interneurons in the mouse stratum oriens region of area CA1. Analysis with a k‐means clustering algorithm parsed the data set into two distinct clusters based on a constellation of physiological parameters and reliably sorted strong and weak SFA cells into different groups. Interneurons with strong SFA fired fewer action potentials across a range of current inputs and had lower input resistance compared to cells with weak SFA. Strong SFA cells also had higher sag and rebound in response to hyperpolarizing current injections. Morphological analysis shows no difference between the two cell types and the cell types did not segregate along the dorsal–ventral axis of the hippocampus. Strong and weak SFA cells were labeled in hippocampal slices from SST:cre Ai14 mice suggesting both cells express somatostatin. Voltage‐clamp recordings showed hyperpolarization activated current I h was significantly larger in strong SFA cells compared to weak SFA cells. We suggest that the strong SFA cell represents a previously uncharacterized type of CA1 stratum oriens interneuron. Due to the combination of physiological parameters of these cells, we will refer to them as Low Threshold High I h (LTH) cells.

Older Age Increases the Amplitude of Muscle Stretch-Induced Cortical Beta-Band Suppression But Does not Affect Rebound Strength.

Healthy aging is associated with deterioration of the sensorimotor system, which impairs balance and somatosensation. However, the exact age-related changes in the cortical processing of sensorimotor integration are unclear. This study investigated primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) oscillations in the 15–30 Hz beta band at rest and following (involuntary) rapid stretches to the triceps surae muscles (i.e., proprioceptive stimulation) of young and older adults. A custom-built, magnetoencephalography (MEG)-compatible device was used to deliver rapid (190°·s−1) ankle rotations as subjects sat passively in a magnetically-shielded room while MEG recorded their cortical signals. Eleven young (age 25 ± 3 years) and 12 older (age 70 ± 3 years) adults matched for physical activity level demonstrated clear 15–30 Hz beta band suppression and rebound in response to the stretches. A sub-sample (10 young and nine older) were tested for dynamic balance control on a sliding platform. Older adults had greater cortical beta power pre-stretch (e.g., right leg: 4.0 ± 1.6 fT vs. 5.6 ± 1.7 fT, P = 0.044) and, subsequently, greater normalized movement-related cortical beta suppression post-proprioceptive stimulation (e.g., right leg: −5.8 ± 1.3 vs. −7.6 ± 1.7, P = 0.01) than young adults. Furthermore, poorer balance was associated with stronger cortical beta suppression following proprioceptive stimulation (r = −0.478, P = 0.038, n = 19). These results provide further support that cortical processing of proprioception is hindered in older adults, potentially (adversely) influencing sensorimotor integration. This was demonstrated by the impairment of prompt motor action control, i.e., regaining perturbed balance. Finally, SM1 cortex beta suppression to a proprioceptive stimulus seems to indicate poorer sensorimotor functioning in older adults.

Approaches of Applying Non-Darcian Flow Equations to Predicting Groundwater Rebound in Response to Coal Mine Closure

Approaches of Applying Non-Darcian Flow Equations to Predicting Groundwater Rebound in Response to Coal Mine Closure

Domestic cats (Felis catus) discriminate their names from other words

Two of the most common nonhuman animals that interact with humans are domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus). In contrast to dogs, the ability of domestic cats to communicate with humans has not been explored thoroughly. We used a habituation-dishabituation method to investigate whether domestic cats could discriminate human utterances, which consisted of cats’ own names, general nouns, and other cohabiting cats’ names. Cats from ordinary households and from a ‘cat café’ participated in the experiments. Among cats from ordinary households, cats habituated to the serial presentation of four different general nouns or four names of cohabiting cats showed a significant rebound in response to the subsequent presentation of their own names; these cats discriminated their own names from general nouns even when unfamiliar persons uttered them. These results indicate that cats are able to discriminate their own names from other words. There was no difference in discrimination of their own names from general nouns between cats from the cat café and household cats, but café cats did not discriminate their own names from other cohabiting cats’ names. We conclude that cats can discriminate the content of human utterances based on phonemic differences.

Abstract 513: Lower Nadir Cd4 T-cell Count is a Strong Predictor of Endothelial Dysfunction in HIV Infected Patients

Background: Nadir CD4 T-cell count is a predictor of negative outcomes in HIV -infected patients and strongly correlates with WHO disease staging. There is lack of data pertaining the relationship between vascular function and nadir CD4 in patients without risk factors of hypertension and diabetes. Therefore we investigated the association between low nadir CD4 T-cells and endothelial function in these otherwise cardiovascular healthy patients. Methods: We conducted a study of 19 HIV-infected men on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable plasma RNA levels without hypertension or diabetes. Vascular reactivity index (VRI), a marker for vascular endothelial function, was measured via VENDYS technique using temperature rebound in response to hyperemic blood flow and vasodilation to the forearm following a 5-minute cuff occlusion of the brachial artery. Results: VRI showed a significant correlation with low nadir CD4 count (p = 0.019) (Figure 1). Lower CD4 counts were associated with significant endothelial dysfunction. We examined the effect of potential mediators on such association. No significant correlation was found with LDL-C (p=0.60), HDL-C (p=0.59), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p=0.12 and 0.13) or history of smoking (p=0.55) with VRI in the studied HIV cohort. Conclusion: Low nadir CD4 count remained independently associated with vascular reactivity index and thus a significant clinical predictor of endothelial dysfunction in HIV infected patients with no history of hypertension or diabetes even before clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease. Vascular Reactivity Index vs CD4 Nadir(Figure1).

Evidence for a crustal root beneath the Paleoproterozoic collision zone in the northern Ordos block, North China

Recent studies have shown that Paleoproterozoic rocks, called the Khondalite Belt, crop out along a nearly EW-trending zone in the northern edge of the Ordos block, North China. This widely distributed Khondalite rock suggests that they originated in the margin of a passive continent during the Paleoproterozoic Era. Seismic stations deployed in the northern Ordos block and its adjacent regions provided abundant information on crustal thicknesses and Vp/Vs ratios, which were determined by use of receiver function H-κ stacking. The H-κ stacked images show an approximately EW-trending anomalous zone with thickened crust (∼46.5km) and a higher Poisson’s ratio (0.28) beneath the Khondalite Belt in the Paleoproterozoic collision zone. Based on the long-wavelength information of gravity anomalies, a two-dimensional crustal density model indicated that a crustal root with a density contrast of 130kg/m3 between the root and surrounding mantle is required for the isostatic gravity compensation. The ratio of surface elevation to crustal root thickness was 0.02, suggesting that the exhumation of the crustal root in response to surface erosion continued to occur over time scales of hundreds of millions of years. This crustal thickening model is evidence for the crustal root beneath the Paleoproterozoic collision zone in the northern Ordos block. As the density contrast becomes smaller, the amount of isostatic rebound in response to erosion also decreases, and therefore the crustal root is maintained.

Interaction between climate, volcanism, and isostatic rebound in Southeast Alaska during the last deglaciation

Observations of enhanced volcanic frequency during the last deglaciation have led to the hypothesis that ice unloading in glaciated volcanic terrains can promote volcanism through decompression melting in the shallow mantle or a reduction in crustal magma storage time. However, a direct link between regional climate change, isostatic adjustment, and the initiation of volcanism remains to be demonstrated due to the difficulty of obtaining high-resolution well-dated records that capture short-term climate and volcanic variability traced to a particular source region. Here we present an exceptionally resolved record of 19 tephra layers paired with foraminiferal oxygen isotopes and alkenone paleotemperatures from marine sediment cores along the Southeast Alaska margin spanning the last deglacial transition. Major element compositions of the tephras indicate a predominant source from the nearby Mt. Edgecumbe Volcanic Field (MEVF). We constrain the timing of this regional eruptive sequence to 14.6–13.1 ka. The sudden increase in volcanic activity from the MEVF coincides with the onset of Bølling–Allerød interstadial warmth, the disappearance of ice-rafted detritus, and rapid vertical land motion associated with modeled regional isostatic rebound in response to glacier retreat. These data support the hypothesis that regional deglaciation can rapidly trigger volcanic activity. Rapid sea surface temperature fluctuations and an increase in local salinity (i.e., δ18Osw) variability are associated with the interval of intense volcanic activity, consistent with a two-way interaction between climate and volcanism in which rapid volcanic response to ice unloading may in turn enhance short-term melting of the glaciers, plausibly via albedo effects on glacier ablation zones.

Deciphering neotectonics from river profile analysis in the karst Jura Mountains (northern Alpine foreland)

The study of the neotectonic activity in the Jura Mountains (northwestern most belt of the European Alps) represents a challenge in the application of quantitative geomorphology to extract landscape metrics and discuss potential coupling between tectonic, climatic and lithospheric mechanisms during the evolution of this mountain belt. The Jura Mountains are characterized by a karst calcareous bedrock, slightly affected by Quaternary glaciations, and by moderated uplift rates (<1 mm/year). In this study, we performed river profile analyses to decipher comparable geomorphological signals along tectonic structures within the entire Jura arc. Our results suggest higher tectonic activity in the High Range of the belt (internal part) than in the External Range, which is discussed in terms of deformation mechanisms. Integration of our results with previous geomorphological, neotectonic and geodetic studies from the literature leads us to propose new potential lithospheric and tectonic mechanism(s) driving the Plio-Quaternary deformation of the Jura Mountains. Our study finally reveals a regional-scale correlation between neotectonic deformations recorded by the Jura drainage network and the predicted isostatic rebound in response to Alpine Quaternary erosion. However, the correlation between our geomorphic signals and compressive structures suggests that the Jura Mountains could be still in horizontal shortening in both the High Range and the External Range.

Phanerozoic surface history of southern Peninsular India from apatite (U‐Th‐Sm)/He data

AbstractQuantifying bedrock cooling history is crucial for understanding the long‐term landform evolution across passive margins and its control onto the sediment routing system. To constrain the low‐temperature cooling history and its relationships to the Phanerozoic tectonic events of southern Peninsular India, we present new apatite (U‐Th‐Sm)/He (AHe) analyses of 39 Precambrian basement samples. The new AHe ages range from 38.1 ± 6.8 to 364.2 ± 44.6 Ma: they are younger than 50 Ma in the Palghat Gap region and older than 200 Ma in the interior of the Deccan Plateau. Thermal modeling based on AHe data indicates enhanced cooling and exhumation in the interior of the Deccan Plateau by Permian‐Triassic times followed by gradual cooling up to the Present. This discrete episode of Permian‐Triassic cooling is associated with continental extension that preceded the Early Jurassic breakup of Gondwana. Bedrock cooling and exhumation on the southeastern and southern limits of the Deccan Plateau was likely accomplished by Late Cretaceous drainage reorganization. The distribution of old (&gt;200 Ma) AHe ages over the &gt;2600 m high Nilgiri Plateau reflects very low erosion/exhumation rates and adds to examples of long‐lived postorogenic topography. The relatively younger AHe ages from the ∼30 km wide low mountain pass (Palghat Gap) within the Western Ghat Mountains attest for intense Cenozoic erosion likely facilitated by the erodible lithological backbone of the Neoproterozoic shear zone. AHe ages across the western coastal plain challenge the widely hold notion of ∼3 km of post‐breakup isostatic rebound in response to erosion of the margin. Instead, the new AHe data are more compatible with less than 1–1.5 km of crustal denudation along the coastal strip.

Agomelatine restores a physiological response to stress in the aged rat

Short duration immobilization stress (IS) in younger rats is followed by a sleep rebound involving slow wave sleep (SWS) and, more particularly, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This rebound, expressing the ability of the brain to confront a stress challenge, is now accepted as a marker of the homeostasis. In older rats (24–25 months), however, an IS of 1h is not followed by a sleep rebound. To determine whether this impairment is reversible, we analyzed the effects of the antidepressant agomelatine, on stress-related sleep rebound in older animals. Older and younger (3–5 months) rats were equipped with electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) electrodes and polygraphic recordings were achieved under basal conditions with a digitized set-up. Older rats were pretreated with agomelatine (40mg/kg/day) for 3 days, with IS applied on the third day, whereas younger rats were only subjected to IS. Polygraphic recordings achieved under basal conditions confirmed the conventional impairments of the sleep/wake architecture in older animals, including decreased delta power, shortened REM sleep bouts, and modified sleep/wake circadian rhythms. Older rats pretreated with agomelatine for 3 days showed a reversal of the deficit observed in the beta-1, but not in the delta, EEG power band. Application of an IS to older rats after agomelatine pretreatment resulted in a REM sleep rebound in response to stress. These findings indicate that agomelatine, by improving beta-1 EEG power band and by inducing stress-related sleep rebound in older animals, contributes to the homeostasis maintenance.

Uplift and denudation history of the eastern Dead Sea rift flank, SW Jordan: Evidence from apatite fission track thermochronometry

AbstractThe Dead Sea rift (DSR), developed along the Dead Sea transform plate boundary, is characterized by salient flanks and morphotectonic asymmetry. Apatite fission track thermochronology (AFT) along ~1200 m high vertical profiles in Neoproterozoic basement and overlying Cambrian sandstone in southwestern Jordan is used to reconstruct timing, magnitude, and rate of uplift and denudation of the eastern DSR flank and examine its relationship to rift development and its flank landscape. Time‐temperature models based on AFT data suggest three major Phanerozoic heating and cooling episodes, Late Paleozoic, Early Cretaceous, and Oligocene. The latest episode, on which this study focuses, indicates uplift of ~3.8±0.3 km under a moderate paleogeothermal gradient. About 40% of the uplift was tectonically driven with the remainder attributed to isostatic rebound in response to denudation and erosion. Models suggest that uplift commenced in the Oligocene with a considerable part occurring prior to development of the DSR, despite being ~200 km from the Red Sea‐Gulf of Suez rift margin. Uplift is probably part of a regional rearrangement along the western Arabian platform margin occurring at the time of Red Sea rift initiation. Transition from primarily sedimentary layer stripping, most likely by scarp retreat, to one of dominantly incision of the underlying crystalline basement occurred in Late Miocene‐Pliocene time following enhanced subsidence and development of a low base level in the DSR. Consequently, the magnitude of uplift by isostatic rebound due to incision exceeded lowering by surface truncation and increased summit elevation and riftward flexing of the flank.

Vocal recognition of owners by domestic cats (Felis catus)

Domestic cats have had a 10,000-year history of cohabitation with humans and seem to have the ability to communicate with humans. However, this has not been widely examined. We studied 20 domestic cats to investigate whether they could recognize their owners by using voices that called out the subjects' names, with a habituation-dishabituation method. While the owner was out of the cat's sight, we played three different strangers' voices serially, followed by the owner's voice. We recorded the cat's reactions to the voices and categorized them into six behavioral categories. In addition, ten naive raters rated the cats' response magnitudes. The cats responded to human voices not by communicative behavior (vocalization and tail movement), but by orienting behavior (ear movement and head movement). This tendency did not change even when they were called by their owners. Of the 20 cats, 15 demonstrated a lower response magnitude to the third voice than to the first voice. These habituated cats showed a significant rebound in response to the subsequent presentation of their owners' voices. This result indicates that cats are able to use vocal cues alone to distinguish between humans.

Active Tectonics of the Pyrenees: A review

The Pyrenees have experienced at least seven earthquakes with magnitude M &gt; 5 in the last 400 years. During the last decades, several seismotectonic, neotectonic and paleoseismological studies have focused on identifying the main active structures of the areas experiencing damaging earthquakes. In spite of these studies, the regional stress regime is still discussed and there is no unequivocal seismotectonic model at the scale of the range. In this paper, we first present a revision of the former works on active faults in the Pyrenees, and then we discuss the main results in terms of their neotectonic setting. We have distinguished five neotectonic regions according to their seismicity, faulting style and morphologic evolution: the westernmost Pyrenees, the North Western Pyrenean zone, the Foreland basins, the Lower Thrust Sheets Domain and the Eastern Pyrenees. This review lead us to differentiate the range into two major domains: the High Chain, where active faults are controlled by vertical maximum stresses, and the Low Chain, where horizontal maximum stresses of variable orientation seem to be dominant. We propose that these different stress domains are related to the isostatic rebound in response to either the difference in crustal thickness and/or the distribution of the Plio-Quaternary erosion.

Insights into the Crustal Structure and Geodynamic Evolution of the Southern Granulite Terrain, India, from Isostatic Considerations

The Southern Granulite Terrain of India, formed through an ancient continental collision and uplift of the earth’s surface, was accompanied by thickening of the crust. Once the active tectonism ceased, the buoyancy of these deep crustal roots must have supported the Nilgiri and Palani-Cardamom hills. Here, the gravity field has been utilized to provide new constraints on how the force of buoyancy maintains the state of isostasy in the Southern Granulite Terrain. Isostatic calculations show that the seismically derived crustal thickness of 43–44 km in the Southern Granulite Terrain is on average 7–8 km more than that required to isostatically balance the present-day topography. This difference cannot be solely explained applying a constant shift in the mean sea level crustal thickness of 32 km. The isostatic analysis thus indicates that the current topography of the Southern Granulite Terrain is overcompensated, and about 1.0 km of the topographic load must have been eroded from this region without any isostatic readjustment. The observed gravity anomaly, an order of magnitude lower than that expected (−125 mGal), however, shows that there is no such overcompensation. Thermal perturbations up to Pan-African, present-day high mantle heat flow and low Te together negate the possible resistance of the lithosphere to rebound in response to erosional unloading. To isostatically compensate the crustal root, compatible to seismic Moho, a band of high density (2,930 kg m−3) in the lower crust and low density (3,210 kg m−3) in the lithospheric mantle below the Southern Granulite Terrain is needed. A relatively denser crust due to two distinct episodes of metamorphic phase transitions at 2.5 Ga and 550 Ma and highly mobilized upper mantle during Pan-African thermal perturbation reduced significantly the root buoyancy that kept the crust pulled downward in response to the eroded topography.