Relative Activity Levels Research Articles

Genome sequence of the psychrophilic Cryobacterium sp. LW097 and characterization of its four novel cold-adapted β-galactosidases

A psychrophilic strain Cryobacterium sp. LW097 was isolated from the subglacial sediments and discovered to show considerable β-galactosidases activity at low temperatures. To provide access to genes predicted to encode cold-adapted glycoside hydrolases with biotechnological relevance, we have sequenced the genome of Cryobacterium sp. LW097. Annotation with CAZy database revealed four β-galactosidase genes, bgal322, bgal435, bgal436, and bgal2567 belonging to the GH-42 family and GH-35 family. All the four β-galactosidases recombinantly expressed retained a high level of relative activity at 5 °C and showed different optimum temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 40 °C. The enzyme kinetics proved that Bgal322, Bgal436, and Bgal2567 had lower Km to both oNPG and lactose at 5 °C, further proving their adaption to low temperature. Substrate specificity analysis showed that these four β-galactosidases owned different preferences. The novel GH-42 β-galactosidases Bgal435 showed β-D-glucosidase activity (33.67 ± 0.28%) in addition to β-D-galactosidase activity. Bgal322 preferred β-D-(1,4)-galactobiose, whereas the other three preferred lactulose. Bgal435 showed the highest kcat value of 68.2 ± 1.7 s −1 at 5 °C toward lactose among these four enzymes. The exquisite substrate specificity of Bgal436 in milk made it a potential candidate for applications in milk lactulose quantification.

Methanol as a Hydrogen Carrier: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Drivers for its CO2 -Based Synthesis and Reforming over Heterogeneous Catalysts.

Methanol is an attractive energy vector in a closed loop including its synthesis from CO2 and H2 and on-demand reforming to the starting feedstocks. Catalytic materials for the two reactions were mostly studied separately, with very few works assessing the feasibility of the same system for both. Here, key kinetic drivers of methanol synthesis (MS) and methanol steam reforming (MSR) were identified for the main catalyst families, with special focus on Cu-ZnO-Al2 O3 , In2 O3 , and Pd/ZrO2 . It was shown that the relative activity level was preserved in either direction, whereas the distinctly favored (reverse) water-gas shift modulated selectivity differently. Low selectivity in kinetically controlled MS could be overcome in MSR by exploiting thermodynamics as the driving force, with many catalysts unfit for MS still comprising appealing candidates for MSR and only few being suited for MS as well as MSR. Overall, readily identifiable properties describing catalyst behavior in the forward and backward reactions were highlighted, effectively linking research in the two fields and setting a stronger basis for developing a methanol-based hydrogen storage unit with a single reactor.

Reframing the properties, places and crime paradigm: exploring spatiotemporal regime shifts

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore spatiotemporal factors that affect the empirical analysis of whether crime rates in buffer areas surrounding abandoned properties transferred to a Land Bank that differed among three regimes: before transfer, during Land Bank stewardship and after disposition and whether those differences were associated with differences in relative crime activity in the neighborhoods in which they were located.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzed crime incidents occurring between 2010 and 2018 in 0.1-mile buffer areas surrounding 31 abandoned properties sold by the Land Bank and their neighborhoods in which those properties were located. Using Copulas, researchers compared concordance/discordance in the buffer areas across the three regime states for each property and approximately matched time periods for associated neighborhoods.FindingsIn a substantial number of cases, the relative crime activity levels for buffer areas surrounding individual sold properties as measured by the Copulas shifted from concordant to discordant states and vice versa. Similarly, relative crime activity levels for neighborhoods shifted from concordant to discordant states across three matched regimes. In some cases, the property and neighborhood states matched, while in other cases they diverged. These cross-level interactions indicate that criminal behavioral patterns and target selection change over time and relative criminal activity. The introduction of Copulas can improve the reliability of such models over time and when and where they should be customized to add more granular insights needed by law enforcement agencies.Research limitations/implicationsThe introduction of Copulas can improve the spatiotemporal reliability of the analysis of criminal activity over space and time.Practical implicationsSpatiotemporal considerations should be incorporated in setting interventions to manage criminal activity.Social implicationsThis study provides support for policies supporting renovation of abandoned properties.Originality/valueTo the best of authors’ knowledge, this research is the first application of Copulas to crime impact studies. As noted, Copulas can help reduce the risk of applying intervention or enforcement programs that are no longer reliable or lack the precision provided by insights into convergent/divergent patterns of criminal activity.

Differential contribution of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in shaping neurovascular coupling in different epileptic neural states

Understanding the neurovascular coupling (NVC) underlying hemodynamic changes in epilepsy is crucial to properly interpreting functional brain imaging signals associated with epileptic events. However, how excitatory and inhibitory neurons affect vascular responses in different epileptic states remains unknown. We conducted real-time in vivo measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF), vessel diameter, and excitatory and inhibitory neuronal calcium signals during recurrent focal seizures. During preictal states, decreases in CBF and arteriole diameter were closely related to decreased γ-band local field potential (LFP) power, which was linked to relatively elevated excitatory and reduced inhibitory neuronal activity levels. Notably, this preictal condition was followed by a strengthened ictal event. In particular, the preictal inhibitory activity level was positively correlated with coherent oscillating activity specific to inhibitory neurons. In contrast, ictal states were characterized by elevated synchrony in excitatory neurons. Given these findings, we suggest that excitatory and inhibitory neurons differentially contribute to shaping the ictal and preictal neural states, respectively. Moreover, the preictal vascular activity, alongside with the γ-band, may reflect the relative levels of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity, and upcoming ictal activity. Our findings provide useful insights into how perfusion signals of different epileptic states are related in terms of NVC.

Step Count Standardization: Validation of Step Counts from the Withings Activite using PiezoRxD and wGT3X-BT.

Daily step counts from the Withings Activite were validated against those collected concurrently from the PiezoRxD Pedometer and the wGT3X-BT Actigraph worn on the waist and on the wrist in free-living conditions from 10 older adult volunteers. The Withings Activite underestimated step counts but showed good correlations with the other devices (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.850 - 0.891).Clinical Relevance - Although the Withings Activite underestimated steps, they may be used in studies to estimate relative level of physical activity in free-living conditions since they have good correlations with other well-validated devices. Underestimation of steps may be corrected using linear transformation.

Comparison of intracellular glutathione and related antioxidant enzymes: Impact of two glycosylated whey hydrolysates

The effects of two glycosylated whey hydrolysates (GWH-Gal A and GWH-Gal B) on glutathione (GSH) and related antioxidant enzymes in SGC-7901 cells were evaluated. Two whey glycosylated hydrolysates promoted an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) in normal SGC-7901 cells. GSH, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), γ-glutamine cysteine synthetaase (γ-GCS), and catalase (CAT) at 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL in normal SGC-7901 cells were higher in the GWH-Gal A group than in the GWH-Gal B group (P < 0.05). Compared with GWH-Gal B, GWH-Gal A more strongly inhibited decreases in intracellular GSH, GPx, γ-GCS, CAT, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in H2O2-induced SGC-7901 cells. Compared with GWH-Gal B, GWH-Gal A at 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL effectively inhibited increases in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in H2O2-induced SGC-7901 cells (P < 0.05). Therefore, GSH content and related antioxidant enzyme activity levels (GPx, γ-GCS, CAT, SOD) in both normal and H2O2-induced SGC-7901 cells were considerably stronger in the GWH-Gal A group than in the GWH-Gal B group.

Rotation-activity relations and flares of M dwarfs with K2 long- and short-cadence data

Using light curves obtained by the K2 mission, we study the relation between stellar rotation and magnetic activity with special focus on stellar flares. Our sample comprises 56 bright and nearby M dwarfs observed by K2 during campaigns C0-C18 in long- and short-cadence mode. We derive rotation periods for 46 M dwarfs and measure photometric activity indicators such as amplitude of the rotational signal, standard deviation of the light curves, and the basic flare properties (flare rate, flare energy, flare duration, and flare amplitude). We found 1662 short-cadence flares, 363 of which have a long-cadence counterpart with flare energies of up to 5.6 × 1034erg. The flare amplitude, duration, and frequency derived from the short-cadence light curves differ significantly from those derived from the long-cadence data. The analysis of the short-cadence light curves results in a flare rate that is 4.6 times higher than the long-cadence data. We confirm the abrupt change in activity level in the rotation-activity relation at a critical period of ~10 d when photometric activity diagnostics are used. This change is most drastic in the flare duration and frequency for short-cadence data. Our flare studies revealed that the highest flare rates are not found among the fastest rotators and that stars with the highest flare rates do not show the most energetic flares. We found that the superflare frequency (E≥ 5 × 1034erg) for the fast-rotating M stars is twice higher than for solar like stars in the same period range. By fitting the cumulative FFD, we derived a power-law index ofα= 1.84 ± 0.14, consistent with previous M dwarf studies and the value found for the Sun.

Physical Activity and Insulin Resistance in 6,500 NHANES Adults: The Role of Abdominal Obesity.

This cross-sectional investigation studied differences in insulin resistance across levels of physical activity in 6,500 US adults who were randomly selected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Another important objective was to determine the influence of abdominal obesity on the physical activity and insulin resistance relationship. MET-minutes were utilized to quantify total activity based on participation in 48 different physical activities. Two strategies were employed to categorize levels of physical activity: one was based on relative MET-minutes (quartiles), and the other approach was based on the US physical activity guidelines. Insulin resistance was indexed using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). Abdominal obesity was indexed using waist circumference. Effect modification was tested by dividing waist circumferences into sex-specific quartiles and then evaluating the relationship between physical activity and HOMA-IR within each quartile separately. Results showed that relative physical activity level was associated with HOMA-IR after controlling for demographic and demographic and lifestyle covariates (F = 11.5, P < 0.0001 and F = 6.0, P=0.0012, respectively). Adjusting for demographic and demographic and lifestyle covariates also resulted in significant relationships between guideline-based activity and HOMA-IR (F = 8.0, P < 0.0001 and F = 4.9, P=0.0017, respectively). However, statistically controlling for differences in waist circumference with the other covariates nullified the relationship between total physical activity and HOMA-IR. Effect modification testing showed that when the sample was delimited to adults with abdominal obesity (Quartile 4), relative (F = 5.6, P=0.0019) and guideline-based physical activity (F = 3.7, P=0.0098) and HOMA-IR were significantly associated. Physical activity and HOMA-IR were not related within the other three quartiles. In conclusion, it appears that differences in physical activity may play a meaningful role in insulin resistance in those with abdominal obesity, but total activity does not seem to account for differences in insulin resistance among US adults with smaller waists.

Changes in and the mediating role of physical activity in relation to active school transport, fitness and adiposity among Spanish youth: the UP&DOWN longitudinal study

BackgroundLongitudinal changes in child and adolescent active school transport (AST), and the mediating role of different intensities of daily physical activity (PA) levels in relation to AST and physical fitness and adiposity indicators is unclear. This study aimed to: 1) describe longitudinal changes in AST, light PA (LPA), moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), physical fitness and adiposity indicators over three time-points; and 2) investigate the mediating role of LPA and MVPA levels on associations between AST and physical fitness and adiposity indicators over three time-points among children and adolescents.MethodsThis longitudinal study comprised 1646 Spanish children and adolescents (48.8% girls, mean age 12.5 years ±2.5) at baseline, recruited from schools in Cádiz and Madrid. Mode of commuting to school was self-reported at baseline (T0, 2011–12), 1-year (T1) and 2-year follow-up (T2). PA was assessed using accelerometers. Handgrip strength, standing long jump and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) assessed physical fitness. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were measured. Multilevel linear regression analyses assessed changes in AST, PA levels, physical fitness and adiposity indicators over three time-points (T0-T1-T2). Additionally, longitudinal path analysis (n = 453; mean age [years] 12.6 ± 2.4) was used to test the mediating effects of LPA and MVPA levels on the association between AST and physical fitness and adiposity indicators.ResultsMultilevel analyses observed decreases in LPA between T0-T1 (β = − 11.27; p < 0.001) and T0-T2 (β = − 16.27; p < 0.001) and decreases in MVPA between T0-T2 (β = − 4.51; p = 0.011). Moreover, changes over time showed increases in handgrip between T0-T1 (β = 0.78; p = 0.028) and T0-T2 (β = 0.81; p = 0.046).Path analyses showed that AST was directly positively associated with MVPA at T1 (all, β ≈ 0.33; p < 0.001). MVPA at T1 mediated associations between AST and CRF at T2 (β = 0.20; p = 0.040), but not the other outcomes. LPA did not mediate any associations.ConclusionsResults from longitudinal path analysis suggest that participation in more AST may help attenuate declines in MVPA that typically occur with age and improve CRF. Therefore, we encourage health authorities to promote AST, as a way to increase MVPA levels and CRF among youth.

Using animal-mounted sensor technology and machine learning to predict time-to-calving in beef and dairy cows

Worldwide, there is a trend towards increased herd sizes, and the animal-to-stockman ratio is increasing within the beef and dairy sectors; thus, the time available to monitoring individual animals is reducing. The behaviour of cows is known to change in the hours prior to parturition, for example, less time ruminating and eating and increased activity level and tail-raise events. These behaviours can be monitored non-invasively using animal-mounted sensors. Thus, behavioural traits are ideal variables for the prediction of calving. This study explored the potential of two sensor technologies for their capabilities in predicting when calf expulsion should be expected. Two trials were conducted at separate locations: (i) beef cows (n = 144) and (ii) dairy cows (n = 110). Two sensors were deployed on each cow: (1) Afimilk Silent Herdsman (SHM) collars monitoring time spent ruminating (RUM), eating (EAT) and the relative activity level (ACT) of the cow, and (2) tail-mounted Axivity accelerometers to detect tail-raise events (TAIL). The exact time the calf was expelled from the cow was determined by viewing closed-circuit television camera footage. Machine learning random forest algorithms were developed to predict when calf expulsion should be expected using single-sensor variables and by integrating multiple-sensor data-streams. The performance of the models was tested using the Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC), the area under the curve, and the sensitivity and specificity of predictions. The TAIL model was slightly better at predicting calving within a 5-h window for beef cows (MCC = 0.31) than for dairy cows (MCC = 0.29). The TAIL + RUM + EAT models were equally as good at predicting calving within a 5-h window for beef and dairy cows (MCC = 0.32 for both models). Combining data-streams from SHM and tail sensors did not substantially improve model performance over tail sensors alone; therefore, hour-by-hour algorithms for the prediction of time of calf expulsion were developed using tail sensor data. Optimal classification occurred at 2 h prior to calving for both beef (MCC = 0.29) and dairy cows (MCC = 0.25). This study showed that tail sensors alone are adequate for the prediction of parturition and that the optimal time for prediction is 2 h before expulsion of the calf.

Poziom aktywności fizycznej a wybrane zwyczaje żywieniowe kobiet

The diet of women in Poland is often conditioned by abnormal dietary behaviours. One of the factors determining these behaviours is physical activity. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of physical activity and selected dietary habits of women. The study was conducted among 247 women aged 19–64. The study was carried out using the e-Badania portal, with a use of an online survey. The level of physical activity was assessed using the international IPAQ questionnaire (short version). Dietary habits were analysed using the QEB questionnaire. The Chi² test was used for statistical analysis of the test results. The study showed that women with a high level of physical activity in relation to women with low or medium levels of physical activity statistically significantly more often consumed: 4 servings of vegetables during the day, wholemeal bread, oatmeal, a mix of butter and margarine, 5 and more glasses of water during the day and wine. At the same time, women with this kind of activity were less likely to put salt in their dishes and sugar in their drinks. The opposite relationship was demonstrated in the case of consumption: 2 servings of vegetables during the day, pasta, poultry and pork, lard and beer.

The level of physical activity and somatic indicators in relation to the diet quality of students studying in faculties in the discipline of health sciences

Diet and physical activity are very important lifestyle features with an impact on the development and proper functioning of the body. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of physical activity and selected somatic indicators and the diet quality of students studying in the field of Health Sciences. The studied group consisted of 609 students aged 18-30. The study identified four categories of diet quality indicators based on the index of a healthy diet and the index of an unhealthy diet. These indicators were subjected to statistical analysis in relation to the level of physical activity determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) method and selected somatic features of the subjects: Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHtR) and Waist Circumstance (WC). A high level of physical activity statistically significantly differentiated the categories of diet quality indicators. A larger percentage of respondents with a high level of physical activity had an indicator with the best health features of diet characteristics among all diet quality indicators selected in the study. Also, obesity according to the BMI and abdominal obesity with a high risk of metabolic complications according to the WC index statistically significantly differentiated the categories of diet quality indicators. A larger percentage of obese subjects according to BMI and WC, characterized the indicator about the worst health features of diet among all diet quality indicators selected in the study. Education programs related to healthy eating should be implemented among students of Health Sciences, especially those who are overweight or obese.

Brain electrical activity mapping in the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. It affects approximately 4% of all children, although estimates vary widely from 3% to 11% or more. Neuroimaging and neurophysiological tests have been increasingly used to understand the relation between brain functionality and ADHD symptoms. QEEG provides a method that can measure the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. By using spectral analysis is able to find abnormalities of brain functionality and connectivity linked to abnormal ADHD behaviors. The objective of the current work was to study and compare the efficacy & accuracy of QEEG for diagnosis of ADHD children, to assess the spectral characteristic of QEEG findings within cases of ADHD, to detect the presence of specific EEG findings that might help in diagnosis. Methodology The current study was conducted on 60 school aged children range from 6-15 years (60 ADHD children matching DSM-5 criteria) and 20 typically developing children. All cases were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical examination with special attention to neurological examination. Both cases and controls were subjected to QEEG analysis and interpretation. All studied children had undergone assessment with Arabic form of Conners’ Parent Rating Scale short form, IQ test, Arabic version of DSM-5. The present study revealed that: Increased levels of slow waves (predominantly theta) , decreased levels of relative Beta LF activity, and increased levels of Theta/Beta LF ratio, in QEEG of ADHD when compared to QEEGs of normal controls. The present study revealed significant differences between ADHD cases & control at all regions of brain; according to average amplitude of power spectrum of all bands (Theta, Beta LF&HF) and Theta/Beta LF ratio. From this study we concluded that children with ADHD have QEEG dysfunctions that underlie their symptomatology. QEEG average of power spectral analysis (theta, beta LF and theta/beta LF ratio) can differentiate between ADHD cases (abnormal power) & normal population (normal power).

Tectonic geomorphology of the Aras drainage basin (NW Iran): Implications for the recent activity of the Aras fault zone

Complex geology and tectonics of the NW Iran, the Caucasus region, and Eastern Turkey, are responsible for the present‐day landscapes of the region. The Aras drainage basin located in Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia borders, provides an appropriate geographical environment for systematically studying the landforms produced or modified by active tectonic processes. Several morphometric indices were calculated for 114 sub‐basins to assess relative tectonic activity levels. Results were evaluated using two different methods; Index of Active Tectonics (IAT) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods. IAT results show that 2% of the sub‐basins belong to very high, 25% to high, 46% to moderate and 27% to low tectonic activity classes. AHP results, display that 12% of the sub‐basins belong to very high, 25% to high, 43% to moderate, and 20% to low tectonic activity classes. Results of both methods show approximate consistency and indicate that the tectonic activity along the Aras drainage basin is moderate to high and decreases from southwest to the northwest which is probably due to terminating fault branches in young unconsolidated deposits or strain partitioning processes. The major fault zones (e.g., Aras, Pambak–Sevan–Sunik, Akera, and Moghan fault zones) include areas with very high and high tectonic activity classes. Accordingly, the uplift rates have been estimated as &gt;0.5 mm/yr for central and western parts, whereas the uplift rates are relatively less in the eastern part (&lt;0.5 mm/yr). The Aras fault zone includes five active structural segments that the main Aras and Horadiz segments of them show relatively higher tectonic activity.

Combined passive acoustic and video monitoring of coral reefs to better understand reef soundscapes and multi-species interactions

A detailed understanding of ecological soundscapes provides a window into ecosystem state that might otherwise go undetected. Rather than consider acoustic emissions of a particular species, a top down ecosystem acoustics point of view gives potentially valuable insights to reef ecosystem function. Simultaneous passive acoustic and video data were collected from coral reefs off the Kona Coast of Hawaii in January 2019 during a soundscape experiment. Frequent interactions between fish species as well as collective behaviors are identified and tracked by applying computer vision to video data. Comparison relating video data to acoustic data allows assessment of the same behaviors as simultaneously reflected in directional passive acoustic data. Collective consideration of acoustics and video offers insight into acoustic signatures of particular soniferous communities and behaviors amongst and between reef species. Machine learning applications match patterns between fish trajectories in videos and the sound field as received by a directional antenna. The relative level of biological activity and presence or absence of particular behaviors provides key data in the effort to understand coral reef ecosystem state.

Features of the subpopulation composition of dendritic cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common rheumatic diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) as the main antigen-presenting cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. There are two major DC populations: myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs (mDCs and pDCs). B cells as antibody-producing cells also play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. The probability of achieving low disease activity and clinical and laboratory remission has been proven to be maximal in the very early period of the disease and in the patients who have not been previously prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In this connection, it is necessary to elaborate additional criteria and biomarkers for early RA. Objective : to investigate the subpopulation composition of DCs in patients with early-stage RA. Patients and methods . The investigation enrolled 60patients with RA who met the 2010 ACR/EULAR and the 1987ACR criteria. The patients with RA were divided into two groups: 1) 30patients with early RA (the disease duration was not more than 1 year); 2) 30 patients with advanced RA. A control group consisted of 30 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who met the ACR criteria. All the patients with RA were treated with DMARDs. The patients with early RA had not previously received DMARDs; after being included in the study, they were prescribed methotrexate 15-20 mg/week. The patients with advanced RA took methotrexate 15-25 mg/week (n=24), sulfasalazine 2 g/day (n=5), or leflunomide 20 mg/day (n=1). At the first stage, the levels of different subpopulations of DCs and B lymphocytes were studied in the patients with early RA before initiation of therapy and in those with advanced RA and in the control persons. At the following stage, the time course of changes was investigated in the subpopulation composition of DCs and B lymphocytes during therapy. Results and discussion . The subpopulations of peripheral blood DCs in early RA were characterized. A subpopulation of mDCs was shown to dominate in the patients with early RA versus those with advanced RA or osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, the patients with RA showed a high B lymphocyte level. It was noted that there was no significant differences in the level of pDCs between RA and OA patients and there was an inverse relationship between the relative peripheral blood level of pDC and disease activity, which confirms the immunosuppressive role of pDCs in the pathogenesis of RA. The levels of mDCs and B lymphocytes during DMARD therapy were ascertained to significantly decrease to those seen in healthy donors. Conclusion . Thus, the findings suggest that the number of mDCs and B lymphocytes increases in patients with early RA, unlike those with OA. In addition, the change in the number of mDCs and B cells during therapy is associated with the dynamics of disease activity and may suppose that mDCs are a target for the action of DMARDs.

Aberrant features of in vivo striatal dynamics in Parkinson's disease.

The striatum plays an important role in learning, selecting, and executing actions. As a major input hub of the basal ganglia, it receives and processes a diverse array of signals related to sensory, motor, and cognitive information. Aberrant neural activity in this area is implicated in a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. It is therefore important to understand the hallmarks of disrupted striatal signal processing. This review surveys literature examining how in vivo striatal microcircuit dynamics are impacted in animal models of one of the most widely studied movement disorders, Parkinson's disease. The review identifies four major features of aberrant striatal dynamics: altered relative levels of direct and indirect pathway activity, impaired information processing by projection neurons, altered information processing by interneurons, and increased synchrony.

Influence of drop shock on physiological responses and genes expression of apple fruit

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of drop shock on physiological responses and genes expression in harvested apple fruit stored at 20 ± 2 °C. Ethylene production, respiratory rate, firmness, soluble solid content, relative electrical conductivity, LOX (lipoxygenase) activity, MDA (malondialdehyde) content, variation of volatile compounds, ethylene biosynthetic genes, and ethylene receptor genes of apple fruit were examined. The results indicated that drop shock observably resulted in the increase of ethylene production, respiratory rate, soluble solid content, relative electrical conductivity, LOX activity, MDA content and gene expression levels in apples. Furthermore, drop shock significantly decreased firmness and high-intensitive drop shock stimulated the accumulation of aldehydes and esters in harvested apples. Overall, the greater impact on apple quality is the effect of larger amplitude of shock during truck transportation, which seriously reduced storage life and quality of postharvest apples.

Quantitative analysis of NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry using an artificial neural network

Abstract In this manuscript, we propose an algorithm based on an artificial neural network (ANN) for the analysis of the NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectra with radioisotope (RI) mixtures to identify RIs and determine the relative activity levels of the identified RIs. The ANN was trained based on the spectra that were generated by synthesizing previously identified spectra from single RIs, considering the characteristics of the measurement environments, such as gain shift effects and statistical fluctuations in the spectrum. The proposed ANN was evaluated through several measured spectra that contained up to six certified reference materials for a quantitative analysis. We also evaluated the shift in the spectra due to temperature variations in the range of 0–50 °C and the low-count spectra with a one-second acquisition period. These results were compared with those from an ANN trained through simulated spectra to emphasize the importance of acquiring a high-quality training dataset. In addition, we show that complex low-resolution spectra can be accurately analyzed with the proposed ANN under various scenarios, in which the maximum root mean square error was found to be 2.8%.

Radium isotopes distribution and submarine groundwater discharge in the Bohai Sea

In order to characterize the radium distribution and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the Bohai Sea area, the three isotopes 223Ra, 224Ra and 228Ra in different water bodies were measured in a 4-year period with the radium-delayed coincidence counting (RaDeCC) system. The results indicated that radium activities take an order of groundwater > coastal seawater > river water > central seawater. The radium activities of groundwater were controlled by the lithology, human activities and salinity. Groundwater in aquifers with higher content of Th and U like igneous and metamorphic has higher radium activities, high salinity and oil exploitation which leads to groundwater contamination can also cause the higher radium activities. The radium isotopes of offshore waters were controlled by their respective onshore groundwater and SGD flux rates. The relative level of radium Ra isotope activity of coastal groundwater and nearshore seawater is determined by the interaction between groundwater and seawater. It is concluded that smaller radium mass transport from bottom sediments and the majority radium were supplied from landward groundwater from horizontal and vertical distribution of Ra isotope. The seasonal investigation showed that the seawater radium activities of 223Ra, 224Ra and 228Ra in autumn were higher than that in spring. Based on the seasonal variation of radium activities and the mass balance of radium, SGD of the Bohai Sea during rainy season were calculated to be 1.43 × 108 m3/d (3.73 × 10−3 m3/m2/d) in northern region and 2.84 × 107 (1.76 × 10−3 m3/m2/d) in western region by 228Ra.