Studies of Brain Activity Correlates of Behavior in Individuals with and without Developmental Disabilities

There is a rich assortment of brain imaging methodologies that permits evaluation of the covert events that are necessary to complete a comprehensive account of behavior. Among the latter methodologies, our laboratories have begun to explore event-related potential (ERP) research to complement traditional behavior analysis

A Comparison of Warm-up Effects on Maximal Aerobic Exercise Performance in Children

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Assessing alternate sparger configurations to mitigate supply chain risks in single-use bioreactors

Consumable shortages throughout the pandemic introduced unanticipated challenges for continued manufacture of commercial biologics. With single-use systems, the bioreactors themselves are consumables that were impacted by these supply chain shortages. To ensure patient supply of necessary biologics, risk mitigation planning and determining suitable alternatives was required. In this presentation, we detail work performed to allow for continued manufacturing, while facing stock-out risks for single-use bioreactor bags used at both the seed and production stages. Specifically, this work focused on alternate sparger configurations, as the standard configuration used in the production bioreactor stage was unavailable. Additional options for added flexibility at the seed bioreactor stages were evaluated to address stock-out risks, and are discussed. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Tyrosine kinase signalling in breast cancer: ErbB family receptor tyrosine kinases

ERBB family receptor tyrosine kinases are overexpressed in a significant subset of breast cancers. One of these receptors, HER2/neu, or ErbB-2, is the target for a new rational therapeutic antibody, Herceptin. Other inhibitors that target this receptor, and another family member, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, are moving into clinical trials. Both of these receptors are sometimes overexpressed in breast cancer, and still subject to regulation by hormones and other physiological regulators. Optimal use of therapeutics targeting these receptors will require consideration of the several modes of regulation of these receptors and their interactions with steroid receptors

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and retinoids: searching for an etiology

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a major life-threatening cause of respiratory failure in the newborn. Recent data reveal the role of a retinoid-signaling pathway disruption in the pathogenesis of CDH. We describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of human CDH, the metabolism of retinoids and the implications of retinoids in the development of the diaphragm and lung. Finally, we describe the existing evidence of a disruption of the retinoid-signaling pathway in CDH

Nutrient cycling in the Atlantic basin: the evolution of nitrate isotope signatures in water masses

A basin-wide transect of nitrate isotopes (δ15NNO3, δ18ONO3), across the UK GEOTRACES 40°S transect in the South Atlantic is presented. This data set is used to investigate Atlantic nutrient cycling and the communication pathways of nitrogen cycling processes in the global ocean. Intermediate waters formed in the subantarctic are enriched in δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3 from partial utilization of nitrate by phytoplankton and distant denitrification processes, transporting heavy isotope signatures to the subtropical Atlantic. Water mass modification through the Atlantic is investigated by comparing data from 40°S (South Atlantic) and 30°N (North Atlantic). This reveals that nitrate in the upper intermediate waters is regenerated as it transits through the subtropical Atlantic, as evidenced by decreases in δ18ONO3. We document diazotrophy-producing high N:P particle ratios (18–21:1) for remineralization, which is further confirmed by a decrease in δ15NNO3 through the subtropical Atlantic. Thesemodifications influence the isotopic signatures of the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) which is subsequently exported from the Atlantic to the Southern Ocean. This study reveals the dominance of recycling processes and diazotrophy on nitrate cycling in the Atlantic. These processes provide a source of low δ15NNO3 to the Southern Ocean via the NADW, to counteract enrichment in δ15NNO3 from water column denitrification in the Indo/Pacific basins. We hence identify the Southern Ocean as a key hub through which denitrification and N2 fixation communicate in the ocean through deepwater masses. Therefore, the balancing of the oceanic N budget and isotopic signatures require time scales of oceanic mixing

Simulating the global distribution of nitrogen isotopes in the ocean

We present a new nitrogen isotope model incorporated into the three-dimensional ocean component of a global Earth system climate model designed for millennial timescale simulations. The model includes prognostic tracers for the two stable nitrogen isotopes, 14N and 15N, in the nitrate (NO3−), phytoplankton, zooplankton, and detritus variables of the marine ecosystem model. The isotope effects of algal NO3− uptake, nitrogen fixation, water column denitrification, and zooplankton excretion are considered as well as the removal of NO3− by sedimentary denitrification. A global database of δ15NO3− observations is compiled from previous studies and compared to the model results on a regional basis where sufficient observations exist. The model is able to qualitatively and quantitatively reproduce many of the observed patterns such as high subsurface values in water column denitrification zones and the meridional and vertical gradients in the Southern Ocean. The observed pronounced subsurface minimum in the Atlantic is underestimated by the model presumably owing to too little simulated nitrogen fixation there. Sensitivity experiments reveal that algal NO3− uptake, nitrogen fixation, and water column denitrification have the strongest effects on the simulated distribution of nitrogen isotopes, whereas the effect from zooplankton excretion is weaker. Both water column and sedimentary denitrification also have important indirect effects on the nitrogen isotope distribution by reducing the fixed nitrogen inventory, which creates an ecological niche for nitrogen fixers and, thus, stimulates additional N2 fixation in the model. Important model deficiencies are identified, and strategies for future improvement and possibilities for model application are outlined

The Virgo interferometric gravitational antenna

Submitted to: Class. Quantum Grav.The interferometric gravitational wave detectors represent the ultimate evolution of the classical Michelson interferometer. In order to measure the signal produced by the passage of a gravitational wave, they aim to reach unprecedent sensitivities in measuring the relative displacements of the mirrors. One of them , the 3-km-long Virgo gravitational wave antenna, which will be particularly sensitive in the low frequency range (10-100 Hz), is presently in its commissioning phase. In this paper the various techniques developed in order to reach its target extreme performance are outlined