Variation in the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) moderates the influence of early maternal care on fearful attachment

There is evidence that both early experience and genetic variation play a role in influencing sensitivity to social rejection. In this study, we aimed at ascertaining if the A118G polymorphism of the k-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) moderates the impact of early maternal care on fearful attachment, a personality trait strongly related to rejection sensitivity. In 112 psychiatric patients, early maternal care and fearful attachment were measured using the Parental Bonding Inventory and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), respectively. The pattern emerging from the RQ data was a crossover interaction between genotype and maternal caregiving. Participants expressing the minor 118 G allele had similar and relatively high scores on fearful attachment regardless of the quality of maternal care. By contrast, early experience made a major difference for participants carrying the A/A genotype. Those who recalled higher levels of maternal care reported the lowest levels of fearful attachment whereas those who recalled lower levels of maternal care scored highest on fearful attachment. Our data fit well with the differential susceptibility model which stipulates that plasticity genes would make some individuals more responsive than others to the negative consequences of adversity and to the benefits of environmental support and enrichment

Martian impact crater ejecta morphologies as indicators of the distribution of subsurface volatiles

[1] Fresh Martian impact craters display a variety of ejecta blanket morphologies. The fluidized appearance of most fresh ejecta types is commonly ascribed to heating and vaporization of subsurface volatiles during crater formation. We have conducted a study of the distribution of the three dominant fluidized ejecta morphologies ( single layer ejecta (SLE), double layer ejecta (DLE), and multiple layer ejecta (MLE)) within the +/- 60degrees latitude zone on Mars. We have subdivided this region into 5degrees x 5degrees latitude-longitude boxes and have computed the following for each box: (1) percentage of craters showing any ejecta morphology as a function of total number of craters, (2) percentage of SLE craters as a function of craters with an ejecta morphology, (3) percentage of DLE craters as a function of craters with an ejecta morphology, and (4) percentage of MLE craters as a function of craters with an ejecta morphology. We confirm previous reports that the SLE morphology is the most common ejecta type within the study area, constituting \u3e 70% of all ejecta morphologies over most of the study area. The DLE and MLE morphologies are much less common, but these morphologies are concentrated in localized regions of the planet. Using these results, we discuss how subsurface volatile reservoirs may be distributed across the planet. The regional variations found in this study generally correlate with the proposed locations of near-surface H2O reservoirs detected by Mars Odyssey

Martian impact crater ejecta morphologies as indicators of the distribution of subsurface volatiles

Fresh Martian impact craters display a variety of ejecta blanket morphologies. The fluidized appearance of most fresh ejecta types is commonly ascribed to heating and vaporization of subsurface volatiles during crater formation. We have conducted a study of the distribution of the three dominant fluidized ejecta morphologies (single layer ejecta (SLE), double layer ejecta (DLE), and multiple layer ejecta (MLE)) within the ±60° latitude zone on Mars. We have subdivided this region into 5° x 5° latitude-longitude boxes and have computed the following for each box: (1) percentage of craters showing any ejecta morphology as a function of total number of craters, (2) percentage of SLE craters as a function of craters with an ejecta morphology, (3) percentage of DLE craters as a function of craters with an ejecta morphology, and (4) percentage of MLE craters as a function of craters with an ejecta morphology. We confirm previous reports that the SLE morphology is the most common ejecta type within the study area, constituting >70% of all ejecta morphologies over most of the study area. The DLE and MLE morphologies are much less common, but these morphologies are concentrated in localized regions of the planet. Using these results, we discuss how subsurface volatile reservoirs may be distributed across the planet. The regional variations found in this study generally correlate with the proposed locations of near-surface H2O reservoirs detected by Mars Odyssey

Effects of Dietary Cereal and Protein Source on Fiber Digestibility, Composition, and Metabolic Activity of the Intestinal Microbiota in Weaner Piglets

This study aimed to investigate the effect of fiber-rich rye and rapeseed meal (RSM) compared to wheat and soybean meal (SBM) on fiber digestibility and the composition and metabolic activity of intestinal microbiota. At weaning, 88 piglets were allocated to four feeding groups: wheat/SBM, wheat/RSM, rye/SBM, and rye/RSM. Dietary inclusion level was 48% for rye and wheat, 25% for SBM, and 30% for RSM. Piglets were euthanized after 33 days for collection of digesta and feces. Samples were analyzed for dry matter and non-starch-polysaccharide (NSP) digestibility, bacterial metabolites, and relative abundance of microbiota. Rye-based diets had higher concentrations of soluble NSP than wheat-based diets. RSM-diets were higher in insoluble NSP compared to SBM. Rye-fed piglets showed a higher colonic and fecal digestibility of NSP (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). RSM-fed piglets showed a lower colonic and fecal digestibility of NSP than SBM-fed piglets (p < 0.001). Rye increased jejunal and colonic concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) compared to wheat (p < 0.001, p = 0.016, respectively). RSM-fed pigs showed a lower jejunal concentration of SCFA (p = 0.001) than SBM-fed pigs. Relative abundance of Firmicutes was higher (p = 0.039) and of Proteobacteria lower (p = 0.002) in rye-fed pigs compared to wheat. RSM reduced Firmicutes and increased Actinobacteria (jejunum, colon, feces: p < 0.050), jejunal Proteobacteria (p = 0.019) and colonic Bacteroidetes (p = 0.014). Despite a similar composition of the colonic microbiota, the higher amount and solubility of NSP from rye resulted in an increased fermentative activity compared to wheat. The high amount of insoluble dietary fiber in RSM-based diets reduced bacterial metabolic activity and caused a shift toward insoluble fiber degrading bacteria. Further research should focus on host–microbiota interaction to improve feeding concepts with a targeted use of dietary fiber

Theoretical and experimental analysis of dissipative buckling restrained braces

Buckling restrained braces are passive energy dissipators used for seismic protection of building frames; such devices consist of slender steel bars connected usually to the frame to be protected either like conventional (concentric) diagonal braces or like chevron braces. Under horizontal seismic motions, the interstory drifts generate axial strains in the steel bars beyond their yielding points, such tension-compresssion cycles constitute the hysteresis loops. Thebuckling of the steel bars (core) is prevented by embedding them in a stockiest encasing; it consists usually of a steel tube filled with mortar. A crucial issue is to allow sliding between the core and the encasing to prevent relevant shear stress transfer. This work aims to contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of buckling restrained braces, the final objective is to foster its mass use in developing countries (in earthquake prone regions), particulary for reinforced concrete building frames. The research approach consists of designing, producing and testing (in Argentina) five reduced scale dissipators (about 400 mm long) and of taking profit of the gained experience to design, to produce and to test (in Spain) four full size (near 3000 mm long) prototype devices. All these tests are a individual, i.e. no subassemblies (accounting for the building frames) are considered. The main conclusion is that it is possible to obtain a reasonably cheap (about 1000 US$ per unit; this amount corresponds to production in Spain (summer 2006) without optimizing the fabrication process), efficient, robust, low maintenance and durable prototype device requiring only a low-tech production process (suitable for developing countries). Moreover, the results show that the fatigue life of buckling restrained braces, even highly uncertain, can be significantly bigger than expected (according to some previously published results); it might allow extending the life of these devices after a number of strong seismic inputs. A numerical analysis of the buckling behavior of these devices is performed; it allows formulating some design recommendations. Further research needs are identified.Postprint (published version

Dialogic Reading and the Development of Transitional Kindergarten Teachers’ Expertise with Dual Language Learners

This article presents highlights of professional development efforts for teachers in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classrooms occurring throughout the state and through a collaborative effort by researchers from the Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) at Loyola Marymount University. The article begins by identifying the various statewide efforts for professional development for TK teachers, followed by a brief review of the literature on early literacy development for diverse learners. It ends with a description of a partnership between CEEL and the Los Angeles Unified School District to provide professional development both in person and online to TK teachers on implementing Dialogic Reading practices and highlights a few of the participating teachers. This article has implications for expanding the reach of professional development for TK teachers through innovative online modules.https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ceel_journalarticles/1003/thumbnail.jp

Unsupervised Learning of the Total Variation Flow

The total variation (TV) flow generates a scale-space representation of an image based on the TV functional. This gradient flow observes desirable features for images such as sharp edges and enables spectral, scale, and texture analysis. The standard numerical approach for TV flow requires solving multiple non-smooth optimisation problems. Even with state-of-the-art convex optimisation techniques, this is often prohibitively expensive and strongly motivates the use of alternative, faster approaches. Inspired by and extending the framework of physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), we propose the TVflowNET, a neural network approach to compute the solution of the TV flow given an initial image and a time instance. We significantly speed up the computation time by more than one order of magnitude and show that the TVflowNET approximates the TV flow solution with high fidelity. This is a preliminary report, more details are to follow

Imaging of temporomandibular joint: Approach by direct volume rendering

Materials and Methods: We have studied the temporom-andibular joint anatomy, directly on the living, from 3D images obtained by medical imaging Computed Tomography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance acquisition, and subsequent re-engineering techniques 3D Surface Rendering and Volume Rendering. Data were analysed with the goal of being able to isolate, identify and distinguish the anatomical structures of the joint, and get the largest possible number of information utilizing software for post-processing work.Results: It was possible to reproduce anatomy of the skeletal structures, as well as through acquisitions of Magnetic Resonance Imaging; it was also possible to visualize the vascular, muscular, ligamentous and tendinous components of the articular complex, and also the capsule and the fibrous cartilaginous disc. We managed the Surface Rendering and Volume Rendering, not only to obtain three-dimensional images for colour and for resolution comparable to the usual anatomical preparations, but also a considerable number of anatomical, minuter details, zooming, rotating and cutting the same images with linking, graduating the colour, transparency and opacity from time to time.Conclusion: These results are encouraging to stimulate further studies in other anatomical districts.Background: The purpose of this study was to conduct a morphological analysis of the temporomandibular joint, a highly specialized synovial joint that permits movement and function of the mandible

Measurement invariance of the comprehensive feeding practices questionnaire in dual-earner parents with adolescent children in Chile

The Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ) has been evaluated in international studies, but the evaluation of its psychometric properties in Spanish, and in particular for parents of adolescents is still limited, and the invariance of measurement according to gender has not been evaluated. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (1) To adapt the five-factor model of the CFPQ instrument to Spanish; (2) To examine the psychometric properties of this adaptation; and (3) To evaluate the measurement invariance of the model to verify the equivalence of measurement of the perceptions of food parenting practices between mothers and fathers belonging to nuclear, dual-earner families with adolescent children. Participants were 946 mothers and fathers from Southern Chile. Results showed that the conceptual equivalence for the CFPQ was achieved. An exploratory factor analysis was performed for a five-factor model: Monitoring, Child control, Restriction for weight control, Modeling and Environment. Horn’s parallel analysis identified four factors, while factor loading analysis determined the removal of the environment factor. Confirmatory factor analysis presented good reliability values. Convergent and discriminant validity was confirmed, and medium-to-high levels of goodness of fit were obtained, eliminating two items. Results supported a final model of four factors and 19 items. Multigroup analysis of the measurement model verified the configural and metric invariance between fathers and mothers, while the scalar and strict partial invariance was verified. These findings are a relevant guide to measure factorial scores in the four-factor model of the CFPQ, establishing a characterization of feeding practices of parents and adolescents.© 2023 Del Valle, Miranda, Orellana, Grunert and Schnettler. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed