Small footprint optoelectrodes using ring resonators for passive light localization

The combination of electrophysiology and optogenetics enables the exploration of how the brain operates down to a single neuron and its network activity. Neural probes are in vivo invasive devices that integrate sensors and stimulation sites to record and manipulate neuronal activity with high spatiotemporal resolution. State-of-the-art probes are limited by tradeoffs involving their lateral dimension, number of sensors, and ability to access independent stimulation sites. Here, we realize a highly scalable probe that features three-dimensional integration of small-footprint arrays of sensors and nanophotonic circuits to scale the density of sensors per cross-section by one order of magnitude with respect to state-of-the-art devices. For the first time, we overcome the spatial limit of the nanophotonic circuit by coupling only one waveguide to numerous optical ring resonators as passive nanophotonic switches. With this strategy, we achieve accurate on-demand light localization while avoiding spatially demanding bundles of waveguides and demonstrate the feasibility with a proof-of-concept device and its scalability towards high-resolution and low-damage neural optoelectrodes

Slx8 removes Pli1-dependent protein-SUMO conjugates including SUMOylated Topoisomerase I to promote genome stability

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The GAPS programme at TNG XLIX. TOI-5398, the youngest compact multi-planet system composed of an inner sub-Neptune and an outer warm Saturn

Short-period giant planets are frequently found to be solitary compared to other classes of exoplanets. Small inner companions to giant planets with $P \lesssim$ 15 days are known only in five compact systems: WASP-47, Kepler-730, WASP-132, TOI-1130, and TOI-2000. Here, we report the confirmation of TOI-5398, the youngest compact multi-planet system composed of a hot sub-Neptune (TOI-5398 c, $P_{\rm c}$ = 4.77271 days) orbiting interior to a short-period Saturn (TOI-5398 b, $P_{\rm b}$ = 10.590547 days) planet, both transiting around a 650 $\pm$ 150 Myr G-type star. As part of the GAPS Young Object project, we confirmed and characterised this compact system, measuring the radius and mass of both planets, thus constraining their bulk composition. Using multidimensional Gaussian processes, we simultaneously modelled stellar activity and planetary signals from TESS Sector 48 light curve and our HARPS-N radial velocity time series. We have confirmed the planetary nature of both planets, TOI-5398 b and TOI-5398 c, alongside a precise estimation of stellar parameters. Through the use of astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic observations, our findings indicate that TOI-5398 is a young, active G dwarf star (650 $\pm$ 150 Myr), with a rotational period of $P_{\rm rot}$ = 7.34 days. The transit photometry and radial velocity measurements enabled us to measure both the radius and mass of planets b, $R_b = 10.30\pm0.40 R_{\oplus}$, $M_b = 58.7\pm5.7 M_{\oplus}$, and c, $R_c = 3.52 \pm 0.19 R_{\oplus}$, $M_c = 11.8\pm4.8 M_{\oplus}$. TESS observed TOI-5398 during sector 48 and no further observations are planned in the current Extended Mission, making our ground-based light curves crucial for ephemeris improvement. With a Transmission Spectroscopy Metric value of around 300, TOI-5398 b is the most amenable warm giant (10 < $P$ < 100 days) for JWST atmospheric characterisation.Comment: 29 pages, Paper accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

"As if we were old family at a family reunion that hadn't been held for a long time." Feminism & LIS: The Unconference

On March 9-11, 2012, fifty women gathered on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to explore the meaning of feminist theory and practice for Library & Information Science in the 21st century. The group included public and academic librarians, professors of LIS, doctoral students, masters students, and an undergraduate. Some who participated have long histories of personal and professional activism on behalf of women; others had never attended a feminist gathering before. Some are seasoned professionals and scholars; others are just starting their careers in LIS. All were passionate about exploring questions of gender in librarianship, archives, and related information fields. The unconference was jointly sponsored by the Center for Information Policy Research and the School of Information Studies (UW-Milwaukee), the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), the School of Library and Information Studies (UW-Madison) and Wisconsin Women Library Workers. Titled “Out of the Attic and Into the Stacks,” it aimed “to explore feminism as theory, boundary, ecology, method, flavor, relationship, and epistemology.” The event was deliberately unstructured, so that the participants could identify their own priorities and set the agenda. After a Friday evening keynote, participants settled in for a day and a half of brainstorming, discussing, and networking. This poster analyzes the unconference from the viewpoint of two participant-observers, one an academic librarian and the other a PhD student in LIS, and presents feedback from other participants. The poster identifies the prominent themes and tensions that surfaced and the proposals for follow-up actions. D'Arpa and Searing also consider the pros and cons of the unconference format as a means of advancing feminist thinking and action in our field.unpublishedis peer reviewe

"So you see that we are pioneers": The Library and Information Science Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Celebrates 65 Years

The poster was a collaborative effort of the three authors to celebrate and document the critical history of the Library and Information Science Library at the University of Illinois.unpublishednot peer reviewe

Validity and reliability of the CatWalk system as a static and dynamic gait analysis tool for the assessment of functional nerve recovery in small animal models

Introduction: A range of behavioral testing paradigms have been developed for the research of central and peripheral nerve injuries with the help of small animal models. Following any nerve repair strategy, improved functional outcome may be the most important evidence of axon regeneration. A novel automated gait analysis system, the CatWalk™, can measure dynamic as well as static gait patterns of small animals. Of most interest in detecting functional recovery are in particular dynamic gait parameters, coordination measures, and the intensity of the animals paw prints. This article is designed to lead to a more efficient choice of CatWalk parameters in future studies concerning the functional evaluation of nerve regeneration and simultaneously add to better interstudy comparability. Methods: The aims of the present paper are threefold: (1) to describe the functional method of CatWalk gait analysis, (2) to characterize different parameters acquired by CatWalk gait analysis, and to find the most frequently used parameters as well as (3)&nbsp;to&nbsp;compare their reliability and validity throughout the different studies. Results: In the reviewed articles, the most frequently used parameters were Swing Duration (30), Print Size (27), Stride Length (26), and Max Contact Area (24). Swing Duration was not only frequently used but was also the most reliable and valid parameter. Therefore, we hypothesize that Swing Duration constitutes an important parameter to be chosen for future studies, as it has the highest level of reliability and validity. Conclusion: In conclusion, CatWalk can be used as a complementary approach to other behavioral testing paradigms to assess clinically relevant behavioral benefits, with the main advantage that this system demonstrates both static and dynamic gait parameters at the same time. Due to limited reliability and validity of certain parameters, we recommend that only the most frequently assessed parameters should be used in the future

Post-partum depression: effects on the construction of the bond of attachment and triadic relations.

Background Post partum maternal depression is the most studied issue as potential risk factor for child development and for the construction of primary affective-relational interactions. The aims of the work are: a) to study the quality of triadic (mother-father-child) interactions in families with mothers with and without post partum depression; b) the association between maternal psychological distress and different styles of attachment in the child. Method The study includes an experimental sample composed by 22 families, in which mothers show depressive symptoms of post-partum disorder (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Cox, Holden, Sagovsky, 1987), and a control sample (21 families). The family were evaluated on specific areas: triadic interactions (Lausanne Trilogue Play, LTP Fivaz-Depeursinge, Corboz-Warnery 2000), infant temperament (Infant Behavior Questionnarie, Rothbart, Garstein 2002), pattern of attachment studied in the first year of infant\u2019s life (Strange Situation Procedure, SSP, Ainsworth, Blehar, Water, Wall, 1978) and during pregnancy (Adult Attachment Interview, Geoge, Kaplan, Main, 1984). Results Results show a) any statistical differences between two sample on triadic interactions; b) an improvement in triadic interaction both in families with and without depressed mothers during the time. Also data on the part of research that involves the construction of the child\u2019s attachment bond are under study. Conclusions These early results show no differences between the two samples on triadic interactions. We hypothesize that the presence of father could be a protective factor during the family interactions as main support figure for the family

Vascular anatomy of the supraclavicular area revisited: feasibility of the free supraclavicular perforator flap.

Vascular anatomy of the supraclavicular area revisited: feasibility of the free supraclavicular perforator flap. Cordova A, Pirrello R, D'Arpa S, Jeschke J, Brenner E, Moschella F. Source Cattedra di Chirurgia Plastica e Ricostruttiva, Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche ed Oncologiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy. [email protected] Abstract BACKGROUND: The supraclavicular skin has been studied extensively and used as a pedicled flap for face and neck reconstruction. Its use as a free flap has not paralleled its use as a pedicled flap. The authors performed an anatomical investigation to assess the possibility of harvesting a free supraclavicular flap with the donor-site scar lying in the supraclavicular crease. In this article, the authors present the results of their anatomical study together with the preliminary clinical applications. METHODS: Skin vascularization and feasibility of a free supraclavicular perforator flap were studied on 25 cadavers (15 fresh cadavers injected with colored latex at the Universiteé René Descartes in Paris; and 10 formalin-fixed, noninjected cadavers at the Innsbruck Medical University). The flap was used in two patients at the Plastic Surgery Department of the University of Palermo for a cutaneous facial reconstruction and intraoral reconstruction after cancer excision. RESULTS: An average of four perforators were consistently found in the supraclavicular area coming from the transverse cervical artery. Venous perforators drain into the superficial venous plexus rather than into the venae comitantes of the transverse cervical artery. Two flaps were successfully used based on these vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The vascularization of the supraclavicular skin depends on skin perforators coming from the transverse cervical artery and draining into the superficial venous plexus. Based on these vessels, a reliable free supraclavicular flap seems to be safe to harvest, with the scar hidden in the supraclavicular crease. The preliminary clinical applications of such a flap gave promising results, suggesting its potential applications

Variability and reliability of the vastus lateralis muscle anatomy

The aims of this study are to investigate the variability of the morphological and neurovascular anatomy of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle and to describe the relationships among its intramuscular partitions and with the other muscles of the quadriceps femoris. Clinical implications in its reliability as a flap donor are also discussed