Event-based prospective remembering in a virtual world

Most laboratory-based prospective memory (PM) paradigms pose problems that are very different from those encountered in the real world. Several PM studies have reported conflicting results when comparing laboratory with naturalistic based studies (e.g., Bailey,Henry, Rendell, Phillips & Kliegel, 2010). One key contrast is that for the former, how and when the PM cue is encountered typically is determined by the experimenter, whereas in the latter case, cue availability is determined by participant actions. However, participant-driven access to the cue has not been examined in laboratory studies focused on healthy young adults, and its relationship with planned intentions is poorly understood. Here we report a study of PM performance in a controlled, laboratory setting, but with participant-driven actions leading to the availability of the PM cue. This uses a novel PM methodology based upon analysis of participant movements as they attempted a series of errands in a large virtual building on the computer screen. A PM failure was identified as a situation in which a participant entered and exited the “cue” area outside an errand related room without performing the required errand whilst still successfully remembering that errand post-test. Additional individual difference measures assessed retrospective and working memory capacity, planning ability and PM. Multiple regression analysis showed that the independent measures of verbal working memory span, planning ability and PM were significant predictors of PM failure. Correlational analyses with measures of planning suggest that sticking with an original plan (good or bad) is related to better overall PM performance

Extinction and the Dimming of KIC 8462852

To test alternative hypotheses for the behavior of KIC 8462852, we obtained measurements of the star over a wide wavelength range from the UV to the mid-infrared from October 2015 through December 2016, using Swift, Spitzer and at AstroLAB IRIS. The star faded in a manner similar to the long-term fading seen in Kepler data about 1400 days previously. The dimming rate for the entire period reported is 22.1 +\- 9.7 milli-mag/yr in the Swift wavebands, with amounts of 21.0 +\- 4.5 mmag in the groundbased B measurements, 14.0 +\- 4.5 mmag in V, and 13.0 +\- 4.5 in R, and a rate of 5.0 +\- 1.2 mmag/yr averaged over the two warm Spitzer bands. Although the dimming is small, it is seen at >= 3 sigma by three different observatories operating from the UV to the IR. The presence of long-term secular dimming means that previous SED models of the star based on photometric measurements taken years apart may not be accurate. We find that stellar models with T_{eff} = 7000 - 7100 K and A_V ~ 0.73 best fit the Swift data from UV to optical. These models also show no excess in the near-simultaneous Spitzer photometry at 3.6 and 4.5 microns, although a longer wavelength excess from a substantial debris disk is still possible (e.g., as around Fomalhaut). The wavelength dependence of the fading favors a relatively neutral color (i.e., R_V >= 5, but not flat across all the bands) compared with the extinction law for the general ISM (R_V = 3.1), suggesting that the dimming arises from circumstellar material.Comment: accepted by the Astrophysical Journal; acknowledgements revised 9/1/201

Presynaptic control of corticostriatal synapses by endogenous GABA

Corticostriatal terminals have presynaptic GABAB receptors that limit glutamate release, but how these receptors are activated by endogenous GABA released by different types of striatal neurons is still unknown. To address this issue, we used single and paired whole-cell recordings combined with stimulation of corticostriatal fibers in rats and mice. In the presence of opioid, GABAA, and NK1 receptor antagonists, antidromic stimulation of a population of striatal projection neurons caused suppression of subsequently evoked EPSPs in projection neurons. These effects were larger at intervals of 500 ms than 1 or 2 s, and were fully blocked by the selective GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 52432. Bursts of spikes in individual projection neurons were not able to inhibit evoked EPSPs. Similarly, spikes in fast spiking interneurons and low-threshold spike interneurons failed to elicit detectable effects mediated by GABAB receptors. Conversely, spikes in individual neurogliaform interneurons suppressed evoked EPSPs, and these effects were blocked by CGP 52432. These results provide the first demonstration of how GABAB receptors are activated by endogenous GABA released by striatal neuronal types

Sequence Ontology terminology for gene regulation

The Sequence Ontology (SO) is a structured, controlled vocabulary that provides terms and definitions for genomic annotation. The Gene Regulation Ensemble Effort for the Knowledge Commons (GREEKC) initiative has gathered input from many groups of researchers, including the SO, the Gene Ontology (GO), and gene regulation experts, with the goal of curating information about how gene expression is regulated at the molecular level. Here we discuss recent updates to the SO reflecting current knowledge. We have developed more accurate human-readable terms (also known as classes), including new definitions, and relationships related to the expression of genes. New findings continue to give us insight into the biology of gene regulation, including the order of events, and participants in those events. These updates to the SO support logical reasoning with the current understanding of gene expression regulation at the molecular level

Increased prevalence of expiratory flow limitation during exercise in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Evidence regarding the prevalence of expiratory flow limitation (EFL) during exercise and the ventilatory response to exercise in children born preterm is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EFL as well as contributing factors to EFL and the ventilatory response to exercise in preterm children with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Preterm children (=32 weeks gestational age) aged 9-12 years with (n=64) and without (n=42) BPD and term controls (n=43), performed an incremental treadmill exercise test with exercise tidal flow-volume loops. More preterm children with BPD (53%) had EFL compared with preterm children without BPD (26%) or term controls (28%) (p<0.05). The presence of EFL was independently associated with decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity z-score and lower gestational age (p<0.05). There was no difference in peak oxygen uptake between preterm children with BPD and term controls (48.0 versus 48.4 mL·kg-1·min-1; p=0.063); however, children with BPD had a lower tidal volume at peak exercise (mean difference -27 mL·kg-1, 95% CI -49-?-5; p<0.05). Children born preterm without BPD had ventilatory responses to exercise similar to term controls. Expiratory flow limitation is more prevalent in children born preterm with BPD and is associated with airway obstruction and a lower gestational age

Squirrelpox in a red squirrel in Fife

SQUIRRELPOX has been identified as a key factor in red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) decline in the UK.1 Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are thought to act as reservoir hosts for squirrelpox virus (SQPV), the causative agent of squirrelpox, with a reported asymptomatic seroprevalence of 61 per cent.2SQPV is implicated in the complete replacement of red squirrels by grey squirrels throughout mainland England and Wales,1 and poses a major threat to Scottish red squirrel populations since being first detected in 2007.3 To combat this threat, an mortality surveillance programme has been established at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, using opportunistic sampling of red squirrel carcases. This has been ongoing for several years, including a summary publication covering 262 cases submitted from 2005 to 2009.4As part of this monitoring programme, an adult female red squirrel carcase was submitted by a member of the public, after having been found in Townhall Wood (NT110894), on the outskirts of Dunfermline, Fife, in March 2024. Postmortem examination identified multiple lesions typically associated with squirrelpox, including ulcerative and exudative dermatitis of the periocular and perioral skin (Fig 1). Histopathology of the affected skin identified extensive ulceration alongside remnant areas of epithelium with marked ballooning degeneration and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Transmission electron microscopy of the affected tissue also identified numerous pox virions within the affected tissue, which through their size, shape and available surface morphology (Fig 2), were consistent with those of SQPV. In Britain there have been no additional identified diseases in red squirrels that present with periocular or perioral, ulcerative to exudative dermatitis due to a poxvirus,5indicating this case is highly likely due to SQPV.This finding represents the first identification of squirrelpox north of the central belt and is consistent with the predictions of previous modelling, which identified a high risk of northern SQPV spread from 2023 onwards.6 This modelling also suggests a rapid increase and spread of squirrelpox into more northerly and naive red squirrel populations is likely following establishment north of the central belt in central Scotland.6This case and modelling supports an increased requirement for targeted investigations, ongoing monitoring and grey squirrel interventions both around Dunfermline itself and within adjacent areas to establish the disease burden in this locality and limit further northerly squirrelpox spread.LA Wilson, veterinary pathology lecturer, M Marr, postdoctoral research fellow, C Logie, postmortem room technician, K Beckmann, conservation medicine lecturer, PWW Lurz, squirrel ecologist, R Ogden, director of conservation science, E Milne, professor emerita of veterinary clinical pathology Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG email: [email protected] DJ Everest, pathology scientist APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NBReferences1 Tompkins DM, White AR, Boots M. Ecological replacement of native red squirrels by invasive greys driven by disease. Ecol Lett2003;6:189–962 Sainsbury AW, Nettleton P, Gilray J, et al. Grey squirrels have high seroprevalence to a parapoxvirus associated with deaths in red squirrels. Anim Conserv2000;3:229–33 3 Mclnnes CJ, Coulter L, Dagleish MP, et al. First cases of squirrelpox in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Scotland. Vet Rec2009;164:528–314 LaRose JP, Meredith AL, Everest DJ, et al. Epidemiological and postmortem findings in 262 red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Scotland, 2005 to 2009. Vet Rec2010;167:297–3025 Everest DJ, Tolhurst-Cherriman DAR, Davies H, et al. Assessing a potential non-invasive method for viral diagnostic purposes in European squirrels. Hystrix 2019;30:44–506 White A, Lurz PWW. A modelling assessment of control strategies to prevent/reduce squirrelpox spread. 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No 627. https://bit.ly/441TOgM (accessed 8 April 2024)PROFESSIONHistory of the veterinary professionI WRITE in response to the debate article by Bruce Vivash Jones (VR, 16/23 March 2024, vol 194, p 236). As a PhD researcher on the history of the RCVS and veterinary regulation, and a veterinary nurse, I would like to raise some issues with Vivash Jones’ historical evidence. He states that changes to the council structure would create an oligarchy. From his interpretation of an oligarchy I can assure him and our profession that the first RCVS council did work as This finding represents the first identification of squirrelpox north of the central belt20/27 April 2024 | VET RECORD312Fig 2: Squirrelpox virus virions detected in the affected tissue. Bar = 200 nmFig 1: Macroscopic lesions of ulcerative and exudative dermatitis surrounding the eye in a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)Letters 20 April.indd 312Letters 20 April.indd 31216/04/2024 12:4816/04/2024 12:4

Recognition of Nucleosomes by Chromatin Factors: Lessons from Data-Driven Docking-Based Structures of Nucleosome-Protein Complexes

The function of chromatin ultimately depends on the many chromatin-associated proteins and protein complexes that regulate all DNA-templated processes such as transcription, repair and replication. As the molecular docking platform for these proteins, the nucleosome is the essential gatekeeper to the genome. As such, the nucleosome-binding activity of a myriad of proteins is essential for a healthy cell. Here, we review the molecular basis of nucleosome-protein interactions and classify the different binding modes available. The structural data needed for such studies not only come from traditional sources such as X-Ray crystallography but also increasingly from other sources. In particular, we highlight how partial interaction data, derived from for example NMR or mutagenesis, are used in data-driven docking to drive the modeling of the complex into an atomistic structure. This approach has opened up detailed insights for several nucleosome-protein complexes that were intractable or recalcitrant to traditional methods. These structures guide the formation of new hypotheses and advance our understanding of chromatin function at the molecular level