Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes of two forensically important blowfly species: Lucilia caeasar and Lucilia illustris

Blowfly species of the family Calliphoridae can be used in forensic investigations to estimate the minimum post-mortem interval (PMI¬min). Lucilia caesar and Lucilia illustris (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are closely related and phenotypically similar, making reliable identification difficult, especially if specimens are in poor condition. To identify potential markers to genetically distinguish these species five complete mitochondrial genomes were sequenced: three for L. caesar (KM657111- KM657113) and two mitochondrial genomes for L. illustris (KM657109, KM 657110). The ND6 gene contained the most species-specific SNPs (1.71%), followed by the ND5 gene (1.68%) and then the COI gene (1.56%), identifying ND6 and ND5 as valuable loci for differentiating L. Caesar and L. illustris specimens

Enhanced Dispatchability of Aircrafts using Multi-Static Configurations

International audienceThis paper describes the reconfiguration strategy and mechanisms adopted in the Integrated Modular Avionics ( IMA ) based platform designed and evaluated in the scope of the European research and development project DIANA . The mechanisms aim at improving dispatchability of aircrafts while keeping a reasonable and limited impact on certificationcosts.The paper first introduces the concept of multi-static reconfiguration i.e., a set of pre-qualified configurations from which the active one will be autonomously selected according to the system health state at system start-up. A configuration selection mechanism, exploiting a Byzantine Agreement algo- rithm, is discussed. Particular attention is paid to the proof of correctness of the adopted algorithm. Practical considerations concerning its implementation, like, for instance, the authentication protocol to be used are also considered. Finally, the implementation of the mechanism on top of an ARINC 653 Application Executive is briefly described

A Case for Reward-Based Episodic Encoding

Experiencing insight when solving problems can improve memory formation for both the problem and its solution. The underlying neural processes involved in this kind of learning are, however, thus far insufficiently understood. Here, we conceptualized insight as the sudden understanding of a novel relationship between known stimuli that fits into existing knowledge and is accompanied by a positive emotional response. Hence, insight is thought to comprise associative novelty, schema congruency, and intrinsic reward, all of which are separately known to enhance memory performance. We examined the neural correlates of learning from induced insight with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using our own version of the compound-remote-associates-task (CRAT) in which each item consists of three clue words and a solution word. (Pseudo-)Solution words were presented after a brief period of problem-solving attempts to induce either sudden comprehension (CRA items) or continued incomprehension (control items) at a specific time point. By comparing processing of the solution words of CRA with control items, we found induced insight to elicit activation of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex (rACC/mPFC) and left hippocampus. This pattern of results lends support to the role of schema congruency (rACC/mPFC) and associative novelty (hippocampus) in the processing of induced insight. We propose that (1) the mPFC not only responds to schema-congruent information, but also to the detection of novel schemata, and (2) that the hippocampus responds to a form of associative novelty that is not just a novel constellation of familiar items, but rather comprises a novel meaningful relationship between the items—which was the only difference between our insight and no insight conditions. To investigate episodic long-term memory encoding, we compared CRA items whose solution word was recognized 24 h after encoding to those with forgotten solutions. We found activation in the left striatum and parts of the left amygdala, pointing to a potential role of brain reward circuitry in the encoding of the solution words. We propose that learning from induced insight mainly relies on the amygdala evaluating the internal value (as an affective evaluation) of the suddenly comprehended information, and striatum-dependent reward-based learning

Disturbed Experience of Time in Depression - Evidence from Content Analysis

Disturbances in the experience of time have been a commonly reported feature of depressive disorders since the beginning of modern psychiatry and psychological research. However, qualitative research approaches to investigate the phenomenon are rarely used. We employed content analysis to investigate disturbances of time experience in Major Depressive Disorder. Our analysis from 25 participants showed that individuals with Major Depressive Disorder subjectively seem to have lost the ability to influence or change the present, resulting in an impersonal and blocked future. The present is rendered meaningless, the past unchangeably negative, and the passage of time turned into a dragging, inexorable, and viscous continuance. The overall,—possibly intersubjective—concept of time experience, remains largely intact, causing or adding to depressive mood and suffering. We elaborate on how these findings reflect previous theories on the experience of time in depression. This study might encourage future inquiries into both the phenomenal and neuroscientific foundation of time experience under psychopathological conditions

Design optimization of multibody systems by sequential approximation

Abstract. Design optimization of multibody systems is usually established by a direct coupling of multibody system analysis and mathematical programming algorithms. However, a direct coupling is hindered by the transient and computationally complex behavior of many multibody systems. In structural optimization often approximation concepts are used instead to interface numerical analysis and optimization. This paper shows that such an approach is valuable for the optimization of multibody systems as well. A design optimization tool has been developed for multibody systems that generates a sequence of approximate optimization problems. The approach is illustrated by three examples: an impact absorber, a slider-crank mechanism, and a stress-constrained four-bar mechanism. Furthermore, the consequences for an accurate and efficient accompanying design sensitivity analysis are discussed

Synaptic transmission parallels neuromodulation in a central food-intake circuit

NeuromedinU is a potent regulator of food intake and activity in mammals. In Drosophila, neurons producing the homologous neuropeptide hugin regulate feeding and locomotion in a similar manner. Here, we use EM-based reconstruction to generate the entire connectome of hugin-producing neurons in the Drosophila larval CNS. We demonstrate that hugin neurons use synaptic transmission in addition to peptidergic neuromodulation and identify acetylcholine as a key transmitter. Hugin neuropeptide and acetylcholine are both necessary for the regulatory effect on feeding. We further show that subtypes of hugin neurons connect chemosensory to endocrine system by combinations of synaptic and peptide-receptor connections. Targets include endocrine neurons producing DH44, a CRH-like peptide, and insulin-like peptides. Homologs of these peptides are likewise downstream of neuromedinU, revealing striking parallels in flies and mammals. We propose that hugin neurons are part of an ancient physiological control system that has been conserved at functional and molecular level.SFB 645 and 704, DFG Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation, DFG grant PA 787, HHMI Janeli

Comparison of size distribution and (Pro249-Ser258) epitope exposure in in vitro and in vivo derived Tau fibrils

Background: Although several studies demonstrate prion-like properties of Tau fibrils, the effect of size in the seeding capacity of these aggregates is not fully understood. The aim of this study is to characterize Tau seeds by their size and seeding capacity. Methods: Tau aggregates were isolated from postmortem AD brain tissue and separated from low molecular weight species by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Biochemical characterization of the different fractions was done by non-reducing Western blotting and aggregate-specific immuno-assays using in house developed anti-Tau monoclonal antibodies, including PT76 which binds to an epitope close to the microtubule-binding domain and, hence, also to K18. Seeding efficiency was then assessed in HEK293 cells expressing K18 FRET sensors. Results: We observed that upon sonication of Tau aggregates different size-distributed tau aggregates are obtained. In biochemical assays, these forms show higher signals than the non-sonicated material in some aggregation-specific Tau assays. This could be explained by an increased epitope exposure of the smaller aggregates created by the sonication. By analyzing human brain derived and recombinant (K18) Tau aggregates in a cellular FRET assay, it was observed that, in the absence of transfection reagent, sonicated aggregates showed higher aggregation induction. Preparations also showed altered profiles on native PAGE upon sonication and we could further separate different aggregate species based on their molecular weight via sucrose gradients. Conclusions: This study further elucidates the molecular properties regarding relative aggregate size and seeding efficiency of sonicated vs. non-sonicated high molecular weight Tau species. This information will provide a better knowledge on how sonication, a commonly used technique in the field of study of Tau aggregation, impacts the aggregates. In addition, the description of PT76-based aggregation specific assay is a valuable tool to quantify K18 and human AD Tau fibrils