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Excess ground ice formation and melt drive surface heave and settlement, and are critical components of the water balance in Arctic soils. Despite the importance of excess ice for the geomorphology, hydrology and biogeochemistry of permafrost landscapes, we lack fine‐scale estimates of excess ice profiles. Here, we introduce a Bayesian inversion method based on remotely sensed subsidence. It retrieves near‐surface excess ice profiles by probing the ice content at increasing depths as the thaw front deepens over summer. Ice profiles estimated from Sentinel‐1 interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) subsidence observations at 80 m resolution were spatially associated with the surficial geology in two Alaskan regions. In most geological units, the estimated profiles were ice poor in the central and, to a lesser extent, the upper active layer. In a warm summer, units with ice‐rich permafrost had elevated inferred ice contents at the base of the active layer and the (previous years') upper permafrost. The posterior uncertainty and accuracy varied with depth. In simulations, they were best (≲0.1) in the central active layer, deteriorating (≳0.2) toward the surface and permafrost. At two sites in the Brooks Foothills, Alaska, the estimates compared favorably to coring‐derived profiles down to 35 cm, while the increase in excess ice below the long‐term active layer thickness of 40 cm was only reproduced in a warm year. Pan‐Arctic InSAR observations enable novel observational constraints on the susceptibility of permafrost landscapes to terrain instability and on the controls, drivers and consequences of ground ice formation and loss. Plain Language Summary: Permafrost soils can contain substantial quantities of ice. When the ice melts due to warming or disturbance, the ground becomes unstable, threatening infrastructure, water resources and ecosystem services. We lack fine‐scale ground ice maps across essentially the entire Arctic, limiting our ability to sustainably plan in the Arctic. Here, we develop the first satellite‐based technique for mapping ground ice near the surface, including seasonal ground ice in that part that freezes and thaws every year and also perennial ground ice in soil that had previously remained frozen for long times. The central idea is to measure the subsidence over the summer from satellites and relate this to the ice profile near the surface. In exceptionally warm summers, layers that had previously been frozen for a long time may thaw; where they are ice‐rich, elevated but limited subsidence toward the end of this summer can be used to identify areas whose large ice contents render them susceptible to long‐term terrain instability. The regional to pan‐Arctic maps our novel method can provide promise to bolster sustainable planning and stewardship in the Arctic and to help us understand how these landscapes are changing. Key Points: Remotely sensed subsidence provides insight into near‐surface excess ice profilesThe estimated excess ice profiles were largely consistent with in‐situ observations and associated with the surficial geologyIn warm summers, maps of ice contents in the (previous years') upper permafrost constrain the susceptibility to thaw instability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological processes often induce meter‐scale elevation changes. When a volcano erupts, tracking such processes provides insights into the style and evolution of eruptive activity and related hazards. Compared to optical remote‐sensing products, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observes surface change during inclement weather and at night. Differential SAR interferometry estimates phase change between SAR acquisitions and is commonly applied to quantify deformation. However, large deformation or other coherence loss can limit its use. We develop a new approach applicable when repeated digital elevation models (DEMs) cannot be otherwise retrieved. Assuming an isotropic radar cross‐section, we estimate meter‐scale vertical morphological change directly from SAR amplitude images via an optimization method that utilizes a high‐quality DEM. We verify our implementation through simulation of a collapse feature that we modulate onto topography. We simulate radar effects and recover the simulated collapse. To validate our method, we estimate elevation changes from TerraSAR‐X stripmap images for the 2011–2012 eruption of Mount Cleveland. Our results reproduce those from two previous studies; one that used the same dataset, and another based on thermal satellite data. By applying this method to the 2019–2020 eruption of Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska, we generate elevation change time series from dozens of co‐registered TerraSAR‐X high‐resolution spotlight images. Our results quantify previously unresolved cone growth in November 2019, collapses associated with explosions in December–January, and further changes in crater elevations into spring 2020. This method can be used to track meter‐scale morphology changes for ongoing eruptions with low latency as SAR imagery becomes available. Plain Language Summary: Rapidly occurring geologic processes, such as volcanic eruptions or landslides, can cause drastic, meter‐scale changes in local surface elevation. Optical images often used to calculate these changes cannot be relied on under poor acquisition conditions such as inclement weather or nighttime. However, several satellite missions record radar signals reflected from Earth's surface, which are less affected by cloudy views or darkness. We develop a new method to estimate elevation changes directly from the strength of such reflected radar signals. To reference the results appropriately, we require a digital elevation model (DEM) with a known acquisition time such that it can be related to the process under investigation. We verify our software by simulating a crater collapse and recovering it from the data. We validate our method against independent observations of elevation changes at Mount Cleveland, Alaska, in 2011–2012. Lastly, we estimate surface elevation changes during the 2019–2020 eruption at Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska, for which the TerraSAR‐X satellite mission acquired several radar images. We resolve increases in elevation in the first stages of the eruption and collapses associated with explosions in spring 2020, and changes due to lava flow activity. The method resolves processes to an accuracy of about 1–3 m. Key Points: We develop a method to estimate meter‐scale elevation changes from SAR amplitude observations and validate it against independent analysesApplied to the 2019–2020 Shishaldin volcanic eruption, this quantifies elevation changes that correlate with observed volcanic activityWe quantify unresolved cone growth at Shishaldin Volcano in November 2019, collapse events in spring 2020, and lava flow activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In contrast to exocrine pancreatic carcinomas, prognosis and treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNEN) are significantly different. The variable growth pattern and associated clinical situation of functioning and non-functioning PNEN demand an individualized surgical approach. However, due to the scarce evidence associated with the rare disease, guidelines lack detailed recommendations for indication and for the required extent of surgical resection. Methods: In a retrospective single-center study from 1990 to 2018, 239 patients with PNEN were identified. Clinical data were collected in the MaDoc database of the University Medical Center Mainz. A total of 155 non-functional PNEN were selected for further analysis. Results: According to the classification of NET by the WHO in 2017, 28.8% (n = 40) of the tumors were G1, 61.9% (n = 86) G2, and 9.4% (n = 13) G3. In 73 patients, hepatic metastases were present. Sixty patients had lymph node metastasis. An R0 resection was achieved in 98 cases, an R1 situation in 10 cases. Five times, a tumor debulking was carried out (R2) and 5 times the operation was aborted without any resection because of the advanced tumor stage. A relapse occurred in 29 patients. Different prognostic factors (grade, tumor size, age) were analyzed. Grade-dependent 10-year overall survival rates were 79.5% (grade 1) and 60.1% (grade 2), respectively. The survival rate of grade 3 patients was limited to 66.7% after 13 months. Conclusion: In our study, patients with non-functioning PNEN had a longer overall survival after successful R0 resection. The risk analysis confirmed a Ki-67 cutoff value of 5%, which divided a high- and low-risk group. Patients with a PNEC G3 (Ki-67 index > 50%) had a very poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To isolate and characterize dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) obtained from carious and healthy mature teeth extracted when conservative treatment was not possible or for orthodontic reasons; to evaluate the ability of DPSCs to colonize, proliferate and differentiate into functional odontoblast‐like cells when cultured onto a polycaprolactone cone made by jet‐spraying and prototyped into a design similar to a gutta‐percha cone. Methodology: DPSCs were obtained from nine carious and 12 healthy mature teeth. Then cells were characterized by flow cytometry and submitted to multidifferentiation to confirm their multipotency. These DPSCs were then cultured on a polycaprolactone cone in an odontoblastic differentiation medium. Cell proliferation, colonization of the biomaterial and functional differentiation of cells were histologically assessed. For the characterization, a t‐Student test was used to compare the two groups. Results: In all cell cultures, characterization highlighted a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype (CD105+, CD90+, CD73+, CD11b−, CD34−, CD45−, HLA‐DR−). No significant differences were found between cultures obtained from carious and healthy mature teeth. DPSCs from both origins were able to differentiate into osteocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes. Cell colonization was observed both on the surface and in the thickness of polycaprolactone cones as well as a mineralized pericellular matrix deposit composed of type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and dentin sialophosphoprotein. Conclusions: DPSCs were isolated from both carious and healthy mature teeth. They were able to colonize and proliferate within a polycaprolactone cone and could be differentiated into functional odontoblast‐like cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The adrenocorticotropic hormone ( ACTH) stimulation test is the gold standard for diagnosing hypoadrenocorticism ( HA) in dogs. However, problems with the availability of synthetic ACTH (tetracosactrin/cosyntropin) and increased costs have prompted the need for alternative methods. Objectives To prospectively evaluate the cortisol-to- ACTH ratio ( CAR) as a screening test for diagnosing canine HA. Animals Twenty three dogs with newly diagnosed HA; 79 dogs with diseases mimicking HA; 30 healthy dogs. Methods Plasma ACTH and baseline cortisol concentrations were measured before IV administration of 5 μg/kg ACTH in all dogs. CAR was calculated and the diagnostic performance of ACTH, baseline cortisol, CAR and sodium-to-potassium ratios ( SPRs) was assessed based on receiver operating characteristics ( ROC) curves calculating the area under the ROC curve. Results The CAR was significantly lower in dogs with HA compared to that in healthy dogs and in those with diseases mimicking HA ( P < .0001). There was an overlap between HA dogs and those with HA mimicking diseases, but CAR still was the best parameter for diagnosing HA ( ROC AUC 0.998), followed by the ACTH concentration ( ROC AUC 0.97), baseline cortisol concentration ( ROC AUC 0.96), and SPR ( ROC AUC 0.86). With a CAR of >0.01 the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 99%, respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Calculation of the CAR is a useful screening test for diagnosing primary HA. As a consequence of the observed overlap between the groups, however, misdiagnosis cannot be completely excluded. Moreover, additional studies are needed to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of CAR in more dogs with secondary HA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents Hermaphroditism is a rare and a not well-understood disordered sexual development ( DSD) in dogs. The objective of the study was to analyse the sex steroid hormone receptor ( STHR) expression patterns in the internal genital structures, because the responsiveness of the different tissue types to the steroid hormones may have a key role in pathological alterations based on DSDs. Furthermore, the adhesion molecule β-catenin was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry because of its important role in development, tissue integrity and disease. Molecular sexing was performed via PCR targeting DBX/ DBY genes to identify the pug dog as a true XX hermaphrodite. The portions of uterine tissue revealed comparable expression patterns for STHRs as investigated in normal female reproductive tissue. In the male parts, β-catenin showed strong expression in the Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules; this was in contrast to normal testicular tissue. Likewise, the layers of smooth muscle actin-positive cells surrounding the seminiferous tubules were reduced in the hermaphrodite. The results of this study deepen the knowledge of tissue characteristics in a hermaphrodite dog and highlight the importance of early diagnosis because the STH responsiveness in maldeveloped reproductive tissue might lead to serious problems for the dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections of neonatal piglets with Cystoisospora suis are responsible for substantial economic losses in pig production. To investigate kinetics of T-cell populations, which are possibly involved in this infection, lymphocytes from blood, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and the jejunal mucosa of infected and noninfected piglets were investigated by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry at five time points during the acute phase of primary infection. Additionally, m RNA expression levels of pattern recognition receptors and immunomodulatory cytokines in the jejunum were investigated. T-cell receptor-γδ+ T cells were found to be increased in the gut mucosa 4 days after infection and were most likely involved in the primary local immune response. Five to eleven days later, cytotoxic T cells peaked in this location, which was preceded by an expansion of this lymphocyte population in the mesenteric lymph nodes. In intestines of infected piglets, m RNA expressions of TLR-2, NOD2 and TNF-α were significantly upregulated, suggesting an involvement in parasite recognition, immune response and possibly also in immunopathology. Taken together, this study identifies cellular and molecular players involved in the early immune responses against C. suis, but their precise role in the pathogenesis and control of this neonatal disease requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The present report summarizes rodent studies with vildagliptin, relevant to predicting pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer in man. Methods As part of the regulatory development program for vildagliptin, a rodent toxicity program included two 104-week rodent (mouse and rat) carcinogenicity studies that were conducted according to guidelines assigned in Food and Drug Administration's Draft Guidance for Industry. Results Vildagliptin exposure in animals was evaluated for its effects on endocrine and exocrine pancreas. Two-year carcinogenicity studies were conducted in rats at oral doses up to 900 mg/kg (approximately 200 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended dose) and in mice at oral doses up to 1000 mg/kg (up to 240 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended dose). The results from these studies show the expected preservation and growth of the endocrine β-cells with no significant findings in the exocrine acinar pancreas. There was no evidence of inflammatory infiltrates characteristic of pancreatitis, no palpable mass detection based on gross examination or any microscopic findings indicative of pancreatic islet cell (endocrine), acinar cell (exocrine) or ductal (exocrine) neoplasia in rat or mouse. Conclusions Evaluation of vildagliptin in 2-year preclinical carcinogenicity studies in both rats and mice indicates that while vildagliptin results in pharmacological benefits to the endocrine pancreas, this was not associated with any evidence of pancreatitis, pancreatic islet cell, acinar cell or ductal neoplasia. These data predict no increased risk of pancreatic cancer in man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (9): 933-942 Abstract Background Osteopontin (OPN) was found upregulated in several heart failure models and appears to play an important role in myocardial remodelling. As we have previously demonstrated that OPN predicts mortality in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), we now evaluated whether OPN also predicts adverse right ventricular (RV) remodelling and dysfunction in PH. Methods We prospectively included 71 patients with PH of different etiology in this study. OPN plasma level were determined by ELISA and assessed for correlation with RV dilatation and dysfunction determined by echocardiography. Results OPN plasma values significantly correlated with RV end-diastolic diameter, Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) and Tricuspid Annular Systolic Velocity (TASV) ( r = 0·43, P = 0·0002; r = −0·46, P = 0·0006; r = −0·31, P = 0·02). Furthermore, stratification of our study population according to RV end-diastolic diameter and RV dysfunction revealed that patients with enlarged and functionally impaired RV′s display higher OPN levels (956 ng/mL vs. 628 ng/mL, P = 0·0005; 1108 ng/mL vs. 792 ng/mL; P = 0·02). Next, we determined OPN cut-off values for the detection of RV remodelling and dysfunction by receiver operating curve analyses and further stratified these parameters in a multivariate analysis. Here, OPN emerged as an independent predictor of RV dilatation and dysfunction. Finally, we demonstrate synergism of OPN and NT-proBNP in the prediction of RV dilatation and dysfunction by calculation of the Rothman Synergy Index. Conclusion In summary, OPN predicts adverse RV remodelling and dysfunction in PH. Together with our previously published data regarding OPN's value for the prognostication of death in PH, we believe that OPN can improve risk stratification in patients with PH beyond current assessment standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During physical refining of oil derived from 'high temperature short time' (HTST) pretreated rapeseeds, polyphenols are separated from the oil during deodorization and accumulate together with other high-value minor compounds in the so-called deodorizer distillate. For recovery of these compounds single-stage and multistage short path distillations were carried out in a laboratory scale apparatus at evaporation temperatures between 110 and 170°C and pressures between 0.006 and 0.01 mbar. In addition, the removal of traces of pesticides from rapeseed deodorizer distillate was investigated. It was observed that these compounds can be separated from deodorizer distillate by means of short path distillation very effectively. On the basis of these experiments, a recovery process for polyphenols was proposed involving short path distillation, acid catalyzed esterification with methanol, solvent crystallization and solvent extraction processes. The final product was a polyphenol enriched extract containing about 14% of polyphenols. A polyphenol recovery of 50% is considered to be reachable and fractions rich in tocopherols and sterols may be obtained as by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study related to transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection (TTBI) as the origin of serious adverse reactions (AR) in recipients. It mentions issues regarding relevance of systematic culture tests with increased number of unconfirmed TTBI notifications and large number of patients with infections before or at the time of transfusion.

This study investigated the acute pharmacodynamic effects of sildenafil in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and concomitant bosentan treatment, in view of a mutual pharmacokinetic interaction between the 2 drugs. This prospective, open-label, noncomparative, multicenter, phase II study enrolled 45 patients (≥18 years) with stable PAH (idiopathic, familial, or related to corrected congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts, drugs, or toxins) and on bosentan treatment for at least 3 months. Patients underwent right heart catheterization to evaluate the acute hemodynamic effects of (a) inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and (b) a single oral dose of sildenafil (25 mg). Mean pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased from baseline following iNO (-15%; 95% confidence limits: -21%, -8%; P = .0001). A statistically significant decrease from baseline in mean PVR was also observed 60 minutes following sildenafil administration (-15%; 95% confidence limits: -21%, -10%; P < .0001). The reduction in PVR following sildenafil was comparable to that resulting from iNO. There were no unexpected safety findings. The pharmacodynamic effect suggests that addition of sildenafil to bosentan treatment can elicit additional hemodynamic benefits. These data represent a rationale for long-term combination studies with the 2 compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batu Hijau is a world-class gold-rich porphyry copper deposit, situated in Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. Deep drilling indicates that several intervals of calc-silicate rock were intersected, where they are apparently interbedded with volcaniclastic rocks. The calc-silicate rocks occur at the contact with copper-gold-bearing tonalite porphyries. The rocks are fine-grained and granular with green, reddish-brown and white layers. The green layers consist mostly of fine-grained clinopyroxene (diopside and hedenbergite) and the reddish-brown layers consist mostly of garnet (andradite), whereas the white layers are commonly composed of calcite and zeolite (chabazite). The calc-silicate rocks were formed by contact metasomatism of andesitic volcaniclastic rocks, as it is calcic in composition. Paragenesis study reveals at least two stages of calc-silicate mineralization. Stage 1 (prograde) is characterized by the presence of garnet (andradite), clinopyroxene (diopside and hedenbergite), anorthite and quartz at 340–360 C (high salinity 35–45 NaCl wt percentage eqn.). Stage 2 (retrograde) is characterized by chlorite and rare epidote at 280–300 C (low salinity 1–10 NaCl wt% eqn.). Late calcite ± quartz veinlets and calcite + chabazite veins/veinlets may also be related to this stage and cross cut the oldest mineral assemblages. Mineralization (magnetite, chalcopyrite and pyrite) may occur during the retrograde stage. Clinopyroxene and garnet were modified by Fe-rich hydrothermal fluid (oxidizing condition) indicated by increase of Fe from core to rim of both the cogenetic minerals. The presence of the calc-silicate rocks associated with massive magnetite-chalcopyrite-pyrite assemblage indicates the occurrence of calcic-exoskarn surrounding the Batu Hijau porphyry copper-gold deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the mineralogy, whole-rock geochemistry and elemental mass balance of the hydrothermal alteration zones within the Batu Hijau porphyry copper-gold deposit, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. The hydrothermal alteration and mineralisation developed in four stages, namely (i) the early stage consisting of a central copper-gold-bearing biotite (potassic), proximal actinolite (inner propylitic) and the distal chlorite-epidote (outer propylitic) zones; (ii) the transitional stage represented by the chlorite-sericite (intermediate argillic) zone; (iii) the late stages distinguished into the sericite-paragonite (argillic) and pyrophyllite-andalusite (advanced argillic) zones; and (iv) the very late stage typified by the illite-sericite zone. In general, major elements (particularly Ca, Mg, Na and K) and some minor and rare earth elements decrease from the least altered rocks towards the late alteration zones as a consequence of the breakdown of Ca-bearing hornblende, biotite and plagioclase. Chemical discrimination by means of millicationic R1-R2 diagram indicates that R1 [4Si − 11(Na + K) − 2(Fe + Ti)] increases while R2[6Ca + 2Mg + Al] decreases with increasing alteration intensity, from least-altered, through early, transitional, to late alteration zones. Rare earth elements-chondrite (C1) normalised patterns also exhibit the depletion of the elements through the subsequent alteration zones. These results are consistent with the elemental mass balance calculation using the isocon method which shows that the degree of mass and volume depletion systematically increases during alteration. A decrease of the elements as well as mass and volume from early, through transitional to late alteration stages may imply a general decrease of the element activities in hydrothermal fluids during the formation of the alteration zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent inhibition has been found to be disrupted in patients with acute schizophrenia. Striatal dopaminergic dysregulation is commonly acknowledged in schizophrenia. This disease may be consecutive to a functional disconnection between integrative regions, stemming from neurodevelopmental failures. Various anomalies suggesting early abnormal brain development have been described in the entorhinal cortex (ENT) and ventral subiculum (SUB) of patients. This study examines the consequences of a neonatal transitory blockade of the left ENT or left SUB for latent inhibition-related dopamine responses in the anterior part of the dorsal striatum using in-vivo voltammetry in freely moving adult rats. Reversible inactivation of both structures in different animals was achieved by local microinjection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) at postnatal day 8. Results obtained during the retention session of a three-stage latent inhibition protocol showed that the functional neonatal disconnection of the ENT or SUB caused the behavioural latent inhibition expression in pre-exposed (PE)-TTX-conditioned adult rats to disappear. After postnatal inactivation of the SUB, PE-TTX-conditioned rats displayed a reversal of the latent inhibition-related striatal dopamine responses, whereas after neonatal blockade of the ENT, dopamine changes in PE-TTX-conditioned rats monitored in the anterior striatum were between those observed in PE-phosphate-buffered-saline-conditioned and non-PE-TTX-conditioned animals. These data suggest that neonatal functional inactivation of the SUB disrupts latent inhibition-related striatal dopamine responses in adult animals more than that of the ENT. They may help improve understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to analyze the acknowledgment (ACK) paratext of medical research articles written in English and Spanish in three geographical contexts: Venezuela, Spain, and the United States of America. We thus randomly selected 150 research articles from leading medical journals in each country. The frequency and length of ACKs, the number of named and unnamed acknowledgees, the reasons why they were acknowledged, the number of grants received, and the sources of funding were recorded. The motivations that underpinned each ACK were classified according to B. Cronin's (1995) and C.L. Giles & I.G. Councill's (2004) typology. Results were analyzed by means of chi-square tests. Our results show that ACKs from the English-language corpus are significantly more frequent and longer than those from both the Spanish and Venezuelan samples. The number of persons acknowledged and the number of grants received also were significantly greater in the U.S. sample than they were in the two Spanish-language corpora. Differences were found in the number and types of funding sources. Moreover, in the three corpora, technical/instrumental assistance was more frequently acknowledged than was peers' ideational input. A small-scale ethnographic research study was conducted with Spanish and Venezuelan researchers to get firsthand feedback on the motivations that could lie behind their ACK behavior. We conclude that 'backstage solidarity' (E. Goffman, 1959, p. 177; also see B. Cronin & S. Franks, 2006, p. 1915) significantly differs from one context to another, and that the communicative and sociocultural conventions of academic contributorship are not only discipline-dependent but also language- and context-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper–gold mineralization at the world-class Batu Hijau porphyry deposit, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia, is closely related to the emplacement of multiple stages of tonalite porphyries. Petrographic examination indicates that at least two texturally distinct types of tonalite porphyries are currently recognized in the deposit, which are designated as “intermediate tonalite” and “young tonalite”. They are mineralogically identical, consisting of phenocrysts of plagioclase, hornblende, quartz, biotite and magnetite ± ilmenite, which are set in a medium-coarse grained groundmass of plagioclase and quartz. The chemical composition of the rock-forming minerals, including plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, magnetite and ilmenite in the tonalite porphyries was systematically analyzed by electron microprobe. The chemical data of these minerals were used to constrain the crystallization conditions and fluorine–chlorine fugacity of the corresponding tonalitic magma during its emplacement and crystallization. The crystallization conditions, including temperature (T), pressure (P) and oxygen fugacity ( fO2), were calculated by applying the hornblende–plagioclase and magnetite–ilmenite thermometers and the Al-in-hornblende barometer. The thermobarometric data indicate that the tonalite porphyries were emplaced at 764 ± 22°C and 1.5 ± 0.3 × 105 kPa. If the pressure is assumed to be lithostatic, it is interpreted that the rim of hornblende and plagioclase phenocrysts crystallized at depths of approximately 5.5 km. As estimated from magnetite–ilmenite thermometry, the subsolidus conditions of the tonalite intrusion occurred at temperatures of 540–590°C and log fO2 ranging from −20 to −15 (between Ni-NiO and hematite–magnetite buffers). This occurred at relatively high fO2 (oxidizing) condition. The fluorine–chlorine fugacity in the magma during crystallization was determined on the basis of the chemical composition of magmatic biotite. The calculation indicates that the fluorine–chlorine fugacity, represented by log ( fH2O)/( fHF) and ( fH2O)/( fHCl) in the corresponding tonalitic magma range from 4.31 to 4.63 and 3.62 to 3.79, respectively. The chlorine fugacity (HCl) to water (H2O) is relatively higher than the fluorine fugacity (HF to water), reflecting a high activity of chlorine in the tonalitic magma during crystallization. The relatively higher activity of chlorine (rather than fluorine) may indicate the significant role of chloride complexes (CuCl2− and AuCl2−) in transporting and precipitating copper and gold at the Batu Hijau deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent inhibition (LI) has been found to be disrupted in non-treated patients with schizophrenia. Dopaminergic (DAergic) dysfunctioning is generally acknowledged to occur in schizophrenia. Various abnormalities in the entorhinal cortex (ENT) have been described in patients with schizophrenia. Numerous data also suggest that schizophrenia has a neurodevelopmental origin. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that reversible inactivation of the ENT during neonatal development results in disrupted DA responses characteristic of LI in adult rats. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) was microinjected locally in the left ENT at postnatal day 8 (PND8). DA variations were recorded in the dorsomedial shell and core parts of the nucleus accumbens (Nacc) using in vivo voltammetry in freely-moving grown-up rats in a LI paradigm. In the first session the animals were pre-exposed (PE) to the conditional stimulus (banana odour) alone. In the second they were aversively conditioned to banana odour. In the third (test) session the following results were obtained in PE animals subjected to temporary inactivation of the ENT at PND8: (1) aversive behaviour was observed in TTX–PE conditioned animals; (2) DA variations in the dorsomedial shell and core parts of the Nacc were similar in TTX–PE and non-pre-exposed conditioned rats. These findings strongly suggest that neonatal disconnection of the ENT disrupts LI in adult animals. They may further our understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain texture is an important determinant of milling properties and end product use. Two linked genes, puroindoline a (Pina) and puroindoline b (Pinb), control most of the genetic variation in wheat grain texture. Our goal was to examine milling characteristics of transgenic isolines of the hard red spring wheat cultivar Hi-Line overexpressing Pina (HGA), Pinb (HGB), or both (HGAB), which have soft (HGAB and HGB), intermediate (HGA), and hard (Hi-Line) grain texture. A second goal was to evaluate the flour quality of the genotypes for cookies and bread. Genotypes were grown in replicated trials in two environments. Grain was milled in a Miag Multomat pilot scale flour mill which closely emulates a commercial long flow mill. Stream yield and ash and protein content were determined from 10 flour and four bran streams. Cookie and bread quality was determined from straight grade flour. Break flour yield ranged from 404 g kg-1 for HGAB to 202 g kg-1 for Hi-Line. Straight grade flour yield ranged from 711 g kg-1 for HGAB to 744 g kg1 for Hi-Line. Cumulative ash curves showed harder textured wheats (Hi-Line and HGA) had greater ash content from break streams, but more horizontal slope than soft wheats (HOAB and HGB) for the portion of the curve describing the relationship between ash and flour extracted from the endosperm. Flours from the soft isolines, HGAB and HGB, suffered less starch damage than flour from intermediate HGA or hard Hi-Line. Flours from HGAB and HGB were best suited for cookies. All three transgenic isolines overexpressing either or both puroindolines had smaller loaves of bread than Hi-Line. Puroindolines directly impact milling properties and may indirectly affect end use properties such as cookie properties and loaf volume by modifying water hydration traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat yield is influenced by the efficacy of seed starch biosynthetic enzymes. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP) catalyzes a rate-limiting step in seed starch biosynthesis. We transformed the hard spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Hi-Line with a modified maize AGP large subunit sequence (Sh2r6hs) to increase AGP activity. In previously described growth chamber studies, Sh2r6hs conditioned increased AGP activity, seed yield, and plant size. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a similar yield enhancement could be detected under field conditions. Sh2r6hs transgenics were field tested over four growing years, in three locations, with varying planting density and irrigation. The results indicate that significant yield increases were more likely to occur in space-planted. irrigated environments than densely planted, rainfed environments, suggesting that limited abiotic resources may subsequently limit Sh2r6hs-associated yield enhancement. In elite lines, as in the F2-derived trials in which tissue culture derived mutations were reduced by out-crossing, Sh2r6hs appears to confer a yield advantage only when field conditions are nonlimiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The P–T evolution of amphibolite facies gneisses and associated supracrustal rocks exposed along the northern margin of the Paleo to MesoArchean Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa, has been reconstructed via detailed structural analysis combined with calculated K(Mn)FMASH pseudosections of aluminous felsic schists. The granitoid-greenstone contact is characterized by a contact-parallel high-strain zone that separates the generally low-grade, greenschist facies greenstone belt from mid-crustal basement gneisses. The supracrustal rocks in the hangingwall of this contact are metamorphosed to upper greenschist facies conditions. Supracrustal rocks and granitoid gneisses in the footwall of this contact are metamorphosed to sillimanite grade conditions (600–700 °C and 5 ± 1 kbar), corresponding to elevated geothermal gradients of ∼30–40 °C km−1. The most likely setting for these conditions was a mid- or lower crust that was invaded and advectively heated by syntectonic granitoids at c. 3230 Ma. Combined structural and petrological data indicate the burial of the rocks to mid-crustal levels, followed by crustal exhumation related to the late- to post-collisional extension of the granitoid-greenstone terrane during one progressive deformation event. Exhumation and decompression commenced under amphibolite facies conditions, as indicated by the synkinematic growth of peak metamorphic minerals during extensional shearing. Derived P–T paths indicate near-isothermal decompression to conditions of ∼500–650 °C and 1–3 kbar, followed by near-isobaric cooling to temperatures below ∼500 °C. In metabasic rock types, this retrograde P–T evolution resulted in the formation of coronitic Ep-Qtz and Act-Qtz symplectites that are interpreted to have replaced peak metamorphic plagioclase and clinopyroxene. The last stages of exhumation are characterized by solid-state doming of the footwall gneisses and strain localization in contact-parallel greenschist-facies mylonites that overprint the decompressed basement rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endosperm texture affects end-use and milling qualities of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The Hardness (Ha) locus controls the majority of grain hardness variation and contains the Puroindoline a (Pina) and b (Pinb) genes. Soft kernel texture results when both Pina and Pinb are present in wild-type form, whereas hard-textured wheats contain a mutation in either Pin. Past studies suggested that grain hardness is correlated with soft type PINA and PINB, not total puroindoline. The primary objective of this study was to determine which PIN limits grain softness in soft wheats. To accomplish this, six transgenic Pin lines created in the hard wheat cultivar Hi-Line were crossed with the soft wheat cultivar Heron. Resulting F2:3 progeny homozygous for the Pin transgene(s) and the soft-type Ha locus were evaluated in two environments through 2 yr by measuring grain hardness and puroindoline levels. Genotypes containing added PINB were 7.4 units softer in grain texture, as measured with the Single Kernel Characterization System, than genotypes with added PINA (P < 0.001). In genotypes with added PINB, a 2.6- to 4.8-fold increase was detected in both PINA and PINB bound to starch, whereas only an increase in PINA was detected in added PINA genotypes. Results indicate that increased PINB increases total PIN starch levels and decreases grain hardness more than increased PINA. This demonstrates that PINB limits the binding of PINA to starch, and grain softness in soft wheats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain texture affects many milling characteristics and end-use qualities in wheat (Triticum aestirum L.) such as milling yield, flour particle size, and starch damage. In wheat, grain texture is controlled primmily by the two genes puroindoline a (pina) and puroindoline b (pinb) that reside at the Hardness (Ha) locus. Variation in puroindoline activity and abundance is known to influence a variety of milling and baking traits, and the reconstitution of flour with puroindoline A protein (PINA) has been shown to positively affect loaf volume and crumb grain. To investigate which milling and baking traits are affected by the addition of puroindolines in vivo, we transformed the hard red spring wheat cultivar Hi-Line, with genetic constructs driving the expression of pina-D1a, pinb-D1a, or both pina-D1a and pinb-D1a. Transgenic lines exhibited decreased grain hardness and increased puroindoline content. Selected T3 lines were grown in replicated field trials under dry and irrigated conditions. Harvested grain was then milled and baked. Lines transformed with the puroindolines exhibited decreased total flour yields and increased break flour yields, yielding flour with lower protein and ash content. Decreases in loaf volume, mixograph absorption, and crumb grain scores were also observed in transgenic lines having high puroindoline expression. Decreased loaf volume was also observed in whole wheat bakes of transgenic soft wheats vs. normal hard wheat, indicating a direct effect of puroindolines on loaf volume. Puroindoline content did not affect dough mixing times. These results demonstrate that the puroindolines can be used to profoundly influence a variety of milling and bread baking traits in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlations between dominant personality traits and certain diseases or high-risk factors for diseases mediated by the immune system have been postulated and, to some extent, verified for over 30 years. We believed that certain correlations between immunological target parameters and personality traits exist even in healthy subjects. Determining the personality structure and an immunological profile in 69 volunteers, we found significant differences for leukocytes and the subpopulations CD4, CD13, HLA-DR, and pronounced differences for CD20, CD14 and the interleukines IL 2 and sIL-2R between the dominant and submissive subjects. Furthermore, case analysis of extreme subjects showed that dominant subjects exhibited an apparently more activated immune system than did submissives. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Out of 92 medical students, five success-motivated and five failure,motivated subjects were selected for a study of the central effects of nifedipine. In a cross-over design and under double-blind conditions, the subjects were administered 10mg nifedipine or placebo twice daily over a five-day period. A general evaluation of the results did not reveal any influence of nifedipine on vigilance (CFF), detail discrimination capacity (d2-test), responsiveness (tracking test), and subjective feelings. However, success-motivated and emotionally stable subjects were markedly impaired by nifedipine (CFF and d2-test, quantitative performance), whereas failure-motivated. emotionally unstable and introverted subjects under nifedipine exhibited less errors in the tests (d2-test. qualitative performance) compared to those who were given placebo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A motivation Q-sort procedure was adopted in two screening steps to select from 92 medical students of a one-year register 10 volunteers of whom five were motivated for success (S.M.) and five were motivated for failure (F.M.). The subjects were administered nifedipine (20 mg/subject. orally) or placebo in a double-blind approach. Test inventory: flicker fusion frequency, subjective self-rating, d 2 cancellation test, tracking test. Classic evaluation of nifedipine vs placebo did not reveal any differences between the two treatments. In the next screening step. the subjects were stratified in respect of motivation and personality structure. This showed that, compared to placebo, extraverted. emotionally stable and S.M. subjects under nifedipine exhibited a more vigilant behaviour (CFF). Nifedipine was found to increase the inner tension of introverted, emotionally stable and F.M. subjects who had a poorer performance in the d 2 cancellation test. The problems ensuing from the small number of subjects available for the study are discussed. Still, it is fell that the differential approach is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight volunteers out of 81 medical students of a one-year register were selected in a two-step procedure by means of a motivation Q-sort. Of these, four were motivated for success (S.M.). whereas four were motivated for failure (F.M.). Following a stratification step, two subjects each from each group were orally given propranolol (0-6 mg/kg) or placebo in a double-blind trial. Test inventory: flicker fusion frequency; determination performance in normal and tailored testing; subjective self-rating; blood pressure; pulse. Evaluation was accomplished in the conventional dose-related way (propranolol versus placebo) and in a serum level oriented approach common in differential psychopharmacology, by judging the personality structure (nervousness, neuroticism, extraversion) and the volunteers' motivation. It was found that propranolol when compared to placebo did not alter the vigilance, performance and subjective assessment of the volunteers; hence, the next step of evaluation was made regardless of the treatment. The initial performance of F.M. subjects as measured on the determination test unit was substantially poorer when compared to S.M. volunteers. During a 7.5-h period after application, the reaction time of F.M. subjects was noted to improve both as a result of training due to repeated tests and as a function of propranolol. As only a small number of volunteers was available for the investigation, further studies are encouraged to verify performance of F.M. subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-dimensional solver combining the finite-element method (FEM) with the boundary-element method (BEM) has been implemented and results have previously been compared to analytical solutions using canonical problems. The code has now been applied to predict scattering from electromagnetically larger, inhomogeneous, and lossy objects of more complex shape, including a coated aerofoil, and the results are compared to analytical as well as experimental data, The cross sections modeled were up to 15 wavelengths in size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

bstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]