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This work presents the computational analysis of the sensitivity improvements that could be achieved in lithium formate monohydrate (LFM) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosemeters exposed to neutron beams. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed on LFM pellets exposed to neutron beams with different energy spectra at various depths inside a water phantom. Various computations were carried out by considering different enrichments of 6Li inside the LFM matrix as well as addition of different amounts of gadolinium oxide inside the pellet blend. The energy released per unit mass was calculated with the aim of redicting the increase in dose achievable by the addition of sensitizers inside the pellets. As expected, a larger amount of 6Li induces an increase of energy released because of the charged secondary particles (i.e. 3H ions and α particles) produced after neutron capture. For small depths in water phantom and low-energy neutron spectra the dose increase due to 6Li enrichment is high (more than three orders of magnitude with respect to the case of with 7Li). In case of epithermal neutron beams the energy released in 6Li-enriched LFM compound is smaller but larger than in the case of fast neutron beams. On the other hand, the computational analysis evidenced that gadolinium is less effective than 6Li in improving neutron sensitivity of the LFM pellets. Discussion based on the features of MC transport code is provided. This result suggests that 6Li enrichment of LFM dosemeters would be more effective for neutron sensitivity improvement and these EPR dosemeters could be tested for dosimetric applications in Neutron Capture Therapy.

Acknowledgements IE has received funding from the postdoctoral fellowship programme Beatriu de Pinós (2019 BP00247), funded by the Secretary of Universities and Research (Government of Catalonia) and by the Horizon 2020 programme of research and innovation of the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 801370. Laboratory materials for sample processing at the University of Barcelona were funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci on - PID 2020-119773 GB-I00. Visit to the site for sampling collection for this study was sponsored by a NRF Y-Rated Research Grant (No. 116358) to DS. PdlP was supported by a Poroulis grant through Cambridge University. PdlP thanks the action PID 2019- 1049449 GB-I00 funded by Spanish FEDER/Ministry of Science and Innovation. LB was funded by a National Geographic Explorer grant (NGS-54810R-19), DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences (Genus) grant (CEOOP 2020-1), and NRF African Origins Platform grant (No. 98824). Research by FdE is funded by the Research Council of Norway (SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour- SapienCE-project 262618), the Talents program of the University of Bordeaux (n. 191022_001), and the program “Human Past”, funded by the same university.We are grateful to Amafa for issuing us with the excavation permit (SAH 15/7645), and to SAHRA for an export permit (CaseID 15987).We thank two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments that significantly improved the manuscript., Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107898., Border Cave is a well-known South African Middle and Early Later Stone Age site located in KwaZulu-Natal. The site has exceptional plant preservation, unparalleled in the African Middle Stone Age archaeological record. This study focuses on the phytolith and FTIR analysis of two Members (2 BS and 2 WA) of the under-documented post-Howiesons Poort occupations dating to ∼60 ka. These members contain complex successions of vertically overlapping, interdigitating light brown sediments, plant bedding and combustion features of various sizes. The complexity and distinctiveness of these deposits provide an excellent opportunity for the study of plant exploitation strategies and their associated human behaviour. Our taphonomic assessment inferred, through the variability of phytolith properties and minerals composing archaeological layers, that specific occupations suffered more physical weathering than others, for example in the form of trampling. The preservation of fragile and highly soluble phytoliths (eudicot leaf phytoliths) and the high frequencies of articulated phytoliths indicates that some bedding deposits experienced little disturbance after their deposition. Not all bedding layers dating to ⁓60 ka show, from a phytolith perspective, the same plant composition, which could be explained in terms of changes in human preference for the use of plants over time to construct bedding or because distinct types of living floors are represented. Finally, the systematic application of phytoliths and FTIR to the complex archaeological sequence of Border Cave confirm these analyses can be used in the future to identify bedding deposits not visible to the naked eye, and behavioural patterns obscured by diagenetic or biased processes during sampling., Programme Beatriu de Pinós (2019 BP00247), funded by the Secretary of Universities and Research (Government of Catalonia), Horizon 2020 programme of research and innovation of the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 801370, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación - PID 2020-119773 GB-I00, NRF Y-Rated Research Grant (No. 116358), Action PID 2019- 1049449 GB-I00 funded by Spanish FEDER/Ministry of Science and Innovation, National Geographic Explorer grant (NGS-54810R-19), DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences (Genus) grant (CEOOP 2020-1), NRF African Origins Platform grant (No. 98824), Research Council of Norway (SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour- SapienCE-project 262618), Talents program of the University of Bordeaux (n. 191022_001), Program “Human Past” University of Bordeaux, SAH 15/7645, CaseID 15987

High levels of free D-aspartate (D-Asp) are present in vertebrate testis during post-natal development, coinciding with the onset of testosterone production, which suggests that this atypical amino acid might participate in the regulation of hormone biosynthesis. To elucidate the unknown role of D-Asp on testicular function, we investigated steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in a one-month-old knockin mouse model with the constitutive depletion of D-Asp levels due to the targeted overexpression of D-aspartate oxidase (DDO), which catalyzes the deaminative oxidation of D-Asp to generate the corresponding α-keto acid, oxaloacetate, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonium ions. In the Ddo knockin mice, we found a dramatic reduction in testicular D-Asp levels, accompanied by a significant decrease in the serum testosterone levels and testicular 17β-HSD, the enzyme involved in testosterone biosynthesis. Additionally, in the testes of these Ddo knockin mice, the expression of PCNA and SYCP3 proteins decreased, suggesting alterations in spermatogenesis-related processes, as well as an increase in the cytosolic cytochrome c protein levels and TUNEL-positive cell number, which indicate an increase in apoptosis. To further investigate the histological and morphometric testicular alterations in Ddo knockin mice, we analyzed the expression and localization of prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) and disheveled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (DAAM1), two proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization. Our results showed that the testicular levels of DAAM1 and PREP in Ddo knockin mice were different from those in wild-type animals, suggesting that the deficiency of D-Asp is associated with overall cytoskeletal disorganization. Our findings confirmed that physiological D-Asp influences testosterone biosynthesis and plays a crucial role in germ cell proliferation and differentiation, which are required for successful reproduction.

Background Neuroinflammation contributes to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, but has not been specifically investigated in patients affected by severe and milder forms of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods In this two-center retrospective study, we investigated signatures of neuroinflammation in forty-eight pediatric male and female SMA1 (n = 18), male and female SMA2 (n = 19), and female SMA3 (n = 11) patients, as well as in a limited number of male and female non-neurological control subjects (n = 4). We employed a Bio-Plex multiplex system based on xMAP technology and performed targeted quantitative analysis of a wide range of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (chemokines, interferons, interleukins, lymphokines and tumor necrosis factors) and neurotrophic factors in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the study cohort before and after Nusinersen treatment at loading and maintenance stages. Results We find a significant increase in the levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, MIP-1α, MCP-1, and Eotaxin) and neurotrophic factors (PDGF-BB and VEGF) in the CSF of SMA1 patients relative to SMA2 and SMA3 individuals, who display levels in the range of controls. We also find that treatment with Nusinersen significantly reduces the CSF levels of some but not all of these neuroinflammatory molecules in SMA1 patients. Conversely, Nusinersen increases the CSF levels of proinflammatory G-CSF, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β in SMA2 patients and decreases those of anti-inflammatory IL-1ra in SMA3 patients. Conclusions These findings highlight signatures of neuroinflammation that are specifically associated with severe SMA and the neuro-immunomodulatory effects of Nusinersen therapy.

A database of 479 glass formulations used to immobilize radioactive wastes for facilities in a safe and resilient infrastructure was analyzed, searching for underlying statistical patterns and associated glass performance features. The analyzed data cover many oxides, including SiO2, B2O3, Na2O, Fe2O3, and some fluorides. Borosilicates were the most common glasses (60.1%), while silicates were only 11.9%. In addition to these two families, five radioactive waste vitrification matrices were identified: Boroaluminosilicates, iron phosphates, aluminosilicates, sodium iron phosphates, and boroaluminates, totaling seven glass families. Almost all compositions (97.7%) contained sodium oxide, followed by silica (91.4%), iron (82.7%), boron (73.7%), phosphorus (54.9%), and cesium oxides (26.1%). Multivariate exploratory methods were applied to analyze and classify glass compositions using hierarchical and non-hierarchical (K-means) clusters and principal component analysis. Four main clusters were observed, the largest comprising 417 formulations containing mainly silicates, borosilicates, aluminosilicates, and boroaluminosilicates; two principal components, representing 73.75% of all compositions, emerge from these four clusters derived from a covariance analysis. The principal components and four clusters may be associated with the following glass features in terms of glass compositions: liquidus temperature, glass transition temperature, density, resistivity, microhardness, and viscosity. Some general underlying properties emerged from our classification and are discussed.

This chapter highlights methodological challenges for an understanding of acculturation and creolization in early prehistory. The authors note that this is especially evident in situations such as the Châtelperronian where there is little chronological definition. In reference to the Châtelperronian, it is recognized as remarkable how such a restricted spectrum of evidence proves to be so incredibly agile, producing such outwardly conflicting and occasionally paradoxical models. It is also noted that concepts such as acculturation and creolization flounder when confronted with the period’s temporal resolution and lack of direct evidence for individual and group-level interactions. The authors recognize that the satisfactory furtherance of this research depends upon a thorough archaeological and taphonomic analysis of key sites.

Lanthanide-doped MgB4O7 is a potential dosimetric material due to its thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties. These properties have been largely reported, but there are few theoretical studies dedicated to understanding the materials defects. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that defects are a key issue to understand the luminescence mechanisms. A new set of interatomic potential parameters were obtained reproducing the MgB4O7 structure better than 2% and 4% for oxide precursors. The results showed that the O Frenkel defect is the most probable which can account for the intrinsic blue emission in the undoped material. Also, the extrinsic defect calculations demonstrated two possible doping schemes for lanthanide ions. One lanthanide dopant group prefers the direct substitution at the boron site with a molecular ion of (BO3)−3 moving to balance the strain caused by this substitution. Another prefers a substitution at the magnesium site with an MgB anti-site as the charge compensation defect.

The detailed dose analysis at the extremities remains a challenge, without affecting operators’ mobility and their tactile sense. Using films loaded with optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) crystals have been studied in order to overcome some of these challenges in 2D dosimetry. In this work, we investigated flexible polymeric films loaded with MgB4O7:Ce,Li to acquire a better understanding of the dependence of the dosimetric signal characteristics on the production process and the influence of using different powder grain sizes. In film production, five different solvents were used: acetone–benzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran and formic acid. Our results indicate that acetone–benzene is the solvent mixture that less influences the signal emitted by treated crystals, in comparison with the signal emitted by the pristine crystal powder. Conversely, by using formic acid, the crystalline structure of the sample was most severely modified, leading to a drastic reduction of the emitted OSL signal. We found that the extent of the grain surface in contact with the solvent in the process is important and should be taken into consideration when choosing the proper grain size to be used. Highlights Polymeric films loaded with MgB4O7:Ce,Li crystals were produced using different solvents.Different effect on the OSL signal was found depending on the used solvent.Among the evaluated solvents, acetone–benzene was the one that less affected the OSL signal.

The D-aspartate oxidase (DDO) gene encodes the enzyme responsible for the catabolism of D-aspartate, an atypical amino acid enriched in the mammalian brain and acting as an endogenous NMDA receptor agonist. Considering the key role of NMDA receptors in neurodevelopmental disorders, recent findings suggest a link between D-aspartate dysmetabolism and schizophrenia. To clarify the role of D-aspartate on brain development and functioning, we used a mouse model with constitutive Ddo overexpression and D-aspartate depletion. In these mice, we found reduced number of BrdU-positive dorsal pallium neurons during corticogenesis, and decreased cortical and striatal gray matter volume at adulthood. Brain abnormalities were associated with social recognition memory deficit at juvenile phase, suggesting that early D-aspartate occurrence influences neurodevelopmental related phenotypes. We corroborated this hypothesis by reporting the first clinical case of a young patient with severe intellectual disability, thought disorders and autism spectrum disorder symptomatology, harboring a duplication of a chromosome 6 region, including the entire DDO gene.

Homo sapiens was present in northern Asia by around 40,000 years ago, having replaced archaic populations across Eurasia after episodes of earlier population expansions and interbreeding1–4. Cultural adaptations of the last Neanderthals, the Denisovans and the incoming populations of H. sapiens into Asia remain unknown1,5–7. Here we describe Xiamabei, a well-preserved, approximately 40,000-year-old archaeological site in northern China, which includes the earliest known ochre-processing feature in east Asia, a distinctive miniaturized lithic assemblage with bladelet-like tools bearing traces of hafting, and a bone tool. The cultural assembly of traits at Xiamabei is unique for Eastern Asia and does not correspond with those found at other archaeological site assemblages inhabited by archaic populations or those generally associated with the expansion of H. sapiens, such as the Initial Upper Palaeolithic8–10. The record of northern Asia supports a process of technological innovations and cultural diversification emerging in a period of hominin hybridization and admixture2,3,6,11. Evidence for ochre processing Novel miniaturized lithics showing hafting Implications for cultural adaptations Methods

Schizophrenia is a disorder of synaptic plasticity and aberrant connectivity in which a major dysfunction in glutamate synapse has been suggested. However, a multi-level approach tackling diverse clusters of interacting molecules of the glutamate signaling in schizophrenia is still lacking. We investigated in the post-mortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus of schizophrenia patients and non-psychiatric controls, the levels of neuroactive d- and l-amino acids (l-glutamate, d-serine, glycine, l-aspartate, d-aspartate) by HPLC. Moreover, by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting we analyzed, respectively, the mRNA and protein levels of pre- and post-synaptic key molecules involved in the glutamatergic synapse functioning, including glutamate receptors (NMDA, AMPA, metabotropic), their interacting scaffolding proteins (PSD-95, Homer1b/c), plasma membrane and vesicular glutamate transporters (EAAT1, EAAT2, VGluT1, VGluT2), enzymes involved either in glutamate-dependent GABA neurotransmitter synthesis (GAD65 and 67), or in post-synaptic NMDA receptor-mediated signaling (CAMKIIα) and the pre-synaptic marker Synapsin-1. Univariable analyses revealed that none of the investigated molecules was differently represented in the post-mortem DLPFC and hippocampus of schizophrenia patients, compared with controls. Nonetheless, multivariable hypothesis-driven analyses revealed that the presence of schizophrenia was significantly affected by variations in neuroactive amino acid levels and glutamate-related synaptic elements. Furthermore, a Machine Learning hypothesis-free unveiled other discriminative clusters of molecules, one in the DLPFC and another in the hippocampus. Overall, while confirming a key role of glutamatergic synapse in the molecular pathophysiology of schizophrenia, we reported molecular signatures encompassing elements of the glutamate synapse able to discriminate patients with schizophrenia and normal individuals.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a mental illness characterized by aberrant synaptic plasticity and connectivity. A large bulk of evidence suggests genetic and functional links between postsynaptic abnormalities and SCZ. Here, we performed quantitative PCR and Western blotting analysis in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus of SCZ patients to investigate the mRNA and protein expression of three key spine shapers: the actin-binding protein cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2), the sheddase a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10), and the synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97). Our analysis of the SCZ post-mortem brain indicated increased DLG1 mRNA in DLPFC and decreased CAP2 mRNA in the hippocampus of SCZ patients, compared to non-psychiatric control subjects, while the ADAM10 transcript was unaffected. Conversely, no differences in CAP2, SAP97, and ADAM10 protein levels were detected between SCZ and control individuals in both brain regions. To assess whether DLG1 and CAP2 transcript alterations were selective for SCZ, we also measured their expression in the superior frontal gyrus of patients affected by neurodegenerative disorders, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, also in Parkinson’s disease patients, we found a selective reduction of CAP2 mRNA levels relative to controls but unaltered protein levels. Taken together, we reported for the first time altered CAP2 expression in the brain of patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders, thus suggesting that aberrant expression of this gene may contribute to synaptic dysfunction in these neuropathologies.

The PVA-GTA Fricke Gel is a three-dimensional tissue-equivalent dosimeter that can be analyzed with optical imaging techniques. In this work we demonstrate that the addition of silver nanoparticles to the gel reduces the diffusion effect.

This contribution focuses on the recently excavated lithic assemblage from Border Cave Members 1 RGBS, 3 BS, 2 WA and 2 BS. These members were attributed by Beaumont to the Howiesons Poort and post-Howiesons Poort Industries of the southern African Middle Stone Age. Here we consider lithics as indicators of cultural behaviour, site formation processes, and occupation intensity. As such, the assemblage is explored in depth through lithic technology attribute analysis, particle size distribution, and spatial analysis. These lines of inquiry follow the new allostratigraphic divisions proposed for the deposits by Stratford and colleagues. Results show that the lower members share a degree of similarity in terms of flaking strategies and raw material selection, whereas the upper members record a dissimilar set of features, with differentiation between them. The technological and spatial analyses suggest the sporadic presence of different groups at the site, each characterized by distinct sets of knapping techniques and methods but employing related knapping strategies and using similar raw materials. The interpretation of these members as a palimpsest of sporadic occupation is supported by the low number of archaeological finds by sediment volume. The evidence at hand does not support a Howiesons Poort attribution for the lowest members. The data show that lithics from part of Member 2 WA and 2 BS are in accordance with those of the recently defined Sibudan technocomplex.

Intrathecal delivery of Nusinersen–an antisense oligonucleotide that promotes survival motor neuron (SMN) protein induction–is an approved therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here, we employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to longitudinally characterize the unknown metabolic effects of Nusinersen in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of SMA patients across disease severity. Modulation of amino acid metabolism is a common denominator of biochemical changes induced by Nusinersen, with distinct downstream metabolic effects according to disease severity. In severe SMA1 patients, Nusinersen stimulates energy-related glucose metabolism. In intermediate SMA2 patients, Nusinersen effects are also related to energy homeostasis but involve ketone body and fatty acid biosynthesis. In milder SMA3 patients, Nusinersen mainly modulates amino acid metabolism. Moreover, Nusinersen modifies the CSF metabolome of a more severe clinical group towards the profile of untreated SMA patients with milder disease. These findings reveal disease severity-specific neurometabolic signatures of Nusinersen treatment, suggesting a selective modulation of peripheral organ metabolism by this CNS-directed therapy in severe SMA patients.

Upper Palaeolithic sites in southwestern France attributed to the Upper Gravettian and the Solutrean yielded sub spherical gravels with a highly shiny appearance that have intrigued researchers since the 1930s. In this work, we analyze specimens from five sites, including the recently excavated Solutrean site of Landry, to establish whether their presence in archaeological layers and peculiar aspect are due to natural processes or human agency. We study the spatial distribution of gravels at Landry and submit archaeological gravels from the five sites, natural formations, Landry sediment sieving, and polishing experiments with a rotary tumbling machine to morphometric, colorimetric and textural analyses. Our results suggest that the lustrous gravels found at the five sites result from deliberate selection and their shiny appearance is the probable consequence of prolonged contact with a soft material such as animal skin. Ethnographic accounts indicate that these gravels may have been used for magico-religious ritual purposes (charms, sorcery, divination etc.), in games, as elements of musical instruments, and as items serving other social and personal purposes. We argue that these objects reflect a cultural innovation emerged during the Gravettian and continued into the Solutrean.

Lithic assemblages immediately following the Howiesons Poort, often loosely referred to as the ‘post- Howiesons Poort’ or MSA III, have attracted relatively little attention when compared to other wellknown phases of the South African Middle Stone Age (MSA) sequence. Current evidence from sites occurring in widely-differing environments suggests that these assemblages are marked by temporal and technological variability, with few features in common other than the presence of unifacial points. Here we present a technological and geometric morphometric analysis of ‘points’ from the new excavations of Members 2 BS, 2WA and the top of 3 BS members at Border Cave, KwaZulu-Natal, one of the key sites for studying modern human cultural evolution. Our complementary methodologies demonstrate that, at this site, hominins adopted a knapping strategy that primarily produced non-standardised unretouched points. Triangular morphologies were manufactured using a variety of reduction strategies, of which the discoidal and Levallois recurrent centripetal methods produced distinctive morphologies. We find technological and morphological variability increases throughout the post-Howiesons Poort sequence, with clear differences between and within chrono-stratigraphic groups. Finally, we assess the suitability of the ‘Sibudan’ cultural-technological typology proposed for post-Howiesons Poort assemblages at Sibhudu, another KwaZulu-Natal site, and find similarities in the morphological axes characterising the samples, despite differences in the shaping strategies adopted. Overall, our work contributes to the growing body of research that is helping to address historical research biases that have slanted our understanding of cultural evolution during the MSA of southern Africa towards the Still Bay and Howiesons Poort technocomplexes., UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) NGS-54810R-19, Wenner Gren Foundation CEOOP2020-1, Poroulis grant through Cambridge University, Spanish FEDER/Ministry of Science and Innovation 262618, National Geographic Explorer grant ANR-10-LABX-52, DSI- NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences grant 191022_001, Research Council of Norway through its Centres of Excellence funding scheme, LaScArBx research programme, Grand Programme de Recherche 'Human Past' of the Initiative d'Excellence (IdEx) of the Bordeaux University, Leakey Foundation (Movement, interaction, and structure: modelling population networks and cultural diversity in the African Middle Stone Age), Lithic Studies Society (Jacobi Bursary Awardee, 2020), SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE), Talents Programme AH/R012792/1 Gr. 10157 PID2019-1049449 GB-I00

In 2015, which marked 35 years since Beaumont had worked at the site, we renewed excavations at Border Cave. Our primary aims were to reassess the stratigraphic context of the sedimentary and cultural sequence, gain insight into site formation processes, make a detailed study of organic remains, identify long term cultural trends, and characterize expressions of complex behaviour and innovation. This contribution serves as an update on activities conducted in 2018 and 2019 and provides an overview of our research findings to date, placing them in the broader context of the Middle Stone Age in southern Africa. New luminescence ages based on feldspar grains in the sedimentary sequence are in broad agreement with the previous chronology established for the site. Geoarchaeology and faunal taphonomy have started to elucidate site formation processes, showing that the members should not be considered as homogeneous units, and that associated formation interpretations established by Beaumont are simplifications that are not representative of the diverse site formation processes active in the shelter. This finding is supported by lithic analysis of the Member 2 WA assemblage that shows differences in technology between artefacts from the top, middle, and lower part of the same member. In addition, the lithic artefacts from the middle and lower part of Member 2 WA show continuities with the lithics from the underlying Members 3 BS and 1 RGBS, which were attributed by Beaumont to a different industry. Grass mats/bedding layers are preserved throughout the sequence, the oldest of which dates to ∼200 ka. The use of ash and leaves with insecticidal properties in the bedding construction reflects complex cognition, as does the cooking of starchy rhizomes that come from layers dated to 170 ka. In addition to a rich mammal fauna found in all of the deposits, the remains of a new individual, a 3–4-year-old child, were recovered from Member 1 BS.LR C that has an ESR date of 42.6 ka.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a polygenic severe mental illness. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have detected genomic variants associated with this psychiatric disorder and pathway analyses have indicated immune system and dopamine signaling as core components of risk in dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus, but the mechanistic links remain unknown. The RasGRP1 gene, encoding for a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is implicated in dopamine signaling and immune response. RasGRP1 has been identified as a candidate risk gene for SCZ and autoimmune disease, therefore representing a possible point of convergence between mechanisms involving the nervous and the immune system. Here, we investigated RasGRP1 mRNA and protein expression in post-mortem DLPFC and hippocampus of SCZ patients and healthy controls, along with RasGRP1 protein content in the serum of an independent cohort of SCZ patients and control subjects. Differences in RasGRP1 expression between SCZ patients and controls were detected both in DLPFC and peripheral blood of samples analyzed. Our results indicate RasGRP1 may mediate risk for SCZ by involving DLPFC and peripheral blood, thus encouraging further studies to explore its possible role as a biomarker of the disease and/or a target for new medication.

Radiophotoluminescence (RPL) properties of Sm-doped CaSO4 for radiation dosimetry applications are reported. The samples with varying Sm concentrations are prepared via the solid-state reaction process. The as-prepared samples show photoluminescence due to typical 4f–f transitions of Sm3+ whereas, after X-ray irradiation, additional emission features appear with a broad band peaking at 630 nm as well as a set of multiple sharp lines across 680–820 nm, which are attributed to the 5d–4f and 4f–4f transitions of Sm2+, respectively. Therefore, the RPL in the present material system relies on the generation of Sm2+ centers. The sensitivity is about 3 times lower than that of Ag-doped phosphate glass, but no fading and build-up of signal are evident even immediately after the irradiation. The signal is reversible by heat-treatment at 500 °C, and is reproducible even after the thermal erasure, especially when the differential signal between pre- and post-irradiation is taken into account.

The chelator eriochrome cyanine R (ECR) in aqueous solutions forms metal complexes with Fe(III) ions with 1:1 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry. Because ECR absorbs light in the visible spectrum at different wavelengths for its free and complexed forms, this ligand may behave as a dose marker in a Fricke gel (FG) dosimeter. This is the first investigation of the influence of the organic ligand ECR in Fricke gels produced with a polyvinyl alcohol matrix cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (FGECR). The concentrations of sulfuric acid, ECR, and Fe(II) ions were varied in the FG synthesis in order to optimize the detector sensitivity to ionizing radiation. For comparison sake, FG synthesized with xylenol orange (FGXO) was also produced. The formation of the Fe(III)-ECR complex after irradiation has two absorption bands in the visible region. The absorbance intensities vary linearly with the absorbed dose in the range of 0.0–40.0 Gy. The FGECR and FGXO showed similar properties: sensitivity of (0.072 ± 0.001) Gy-1 and (0.079 ± 0.001) Gy-1; and diffusion of (0.192 ± 0.006) mm2 h-1 and (0.184 ± 0.022) mm2 h-1, respectively. FGECR has some advantages for application in radiotherapy, as it presented sensitivity for low doses, whose minimum detectable dose was 0.67 Gy, with maximum optical absorption at low energy wavelengths, ideal for measuring radiation dose by optical tomography, and it has a high saturation dose. Therefore, FGECR has the potential for dosimetric studies in radiotherapy, including flash radiotherapy, which deposits high doses in extremely short times.

Extraordinary preservation of plant remains provides an insight into the construction and materials of bedding at Border Cave, South Africa. Towards the back of the cave there are particularly thick layers of desiccated and charred grass and our botanical study is from bulk samples of these approximately 60,000 to 40,000 year-old layers (Members 3 BS, 2 WA, 2 BS and 1 BS Lower C). More than one type of panicoid grass was identified, sedge nutlets were present in the older layers and in Member 2 WA particularly, eudicotyledon leaves were preserved. Plant bedding construction may have altered slightly over time with the use of sedges decreasing in favour of grass. A small item that appears to be woven monocotyledon leaf blades was recovered from Member 1 BS Lower C (42,600 years old), potentially making it the oldest evidence of simple weaving. The bedding is generally desiccated rather than burned, and often lies on an ash base. It is possible that the site's occupants burned old bedding to provide an ash base for fresh bedding. The unique preservation of desiccated plant material from as early as 60,000 years ago may in part be due to these ashy surfaces.