Design and performance of an adaptive MFSK HF terminal.

The paper describes the implementation of a real-time integrated modem/codec system for long-range radio communications, e.g. HF. The system has been developed by the Hull-Lancaster Communication Research Group. The system has been implemented using a proprietary DSP-based architecture which uses the AT&T DSP32C digital signal processor and the transmission format comprises MFSK modulation combined with RS coding. The main features of the system are described and results from on-air HF trials over both static and aeromobile channels are presente

Finite-size effects on the magnetoelectric response of field-driven ferroelectric/ferromagnetic chains

We study theoretically the coupled multiferroic dynamics of one-dimensional ferroelectric/ferromagnet chains driven by harmonic magnetic and electric fields as a function of the chain length. A linear magnetoelectric coupling is dominated by the spin-polarized screening charge at the interface. We performed Monte-Carlo simulations and calculations based on the coupled Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert and Landau-Khalatnikov equations showing that the net magnetization and the total polarization of thin heterostructures, i.e. with up to ten ferroelectric and ferromagnetic sites counted from the interface, can be completely reversed by external electric and magnetic fields, respectively. However, for larger system solely a certain magnetoelectrical control can be achieved.Comment: J. Phys.: Conf. Series. (2011) (to be published

Angular dependence of ferromagnetic resonance as indicator of the nature of magnetoelectric coupling in ferromagnetic-ferroelectric heterostructures

We investigate theoretically how ferromagnetic resonance (FMR

“Avoiding or approaching eyes”? Introversion/extraversion affects the gaze-cueing effect

We investigated whether the extra-/introversion personality dimension can influence processing of others’ eye gaze direction and emotional facial expression during a target detection task. On the basis of previous evidence showing that self-reported trait anxiety can affect gaze-cueing with emotional faces, we also verified whether trait anxiety can modulate the influence of intro-/extraversion on behavioral performance. Fearful, happy, angry or neutral faces, with either direct or averted gaze, were presented before the target appeared in spatial locations congruent or incongruent with stimuli’s eye gaze direction. Results showed a significant influence of intra-/extraversion dimension on gaze-cueing effect for angry, happy, and neutral faces with averted gaze. Introverts did not show the gaze congruency effect when viewing angry expressions, but did so with happy and neutral faces; extraverts showed the opposite pattern. Importantly, the influence of intro-/extraversion on gaze-cueing was not mediated by trait anxiety. These findings demonstrated that personality differences can shape processing of interactions between relevant social signals

Synthesis of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) derivatives functionalised with two, four or eight hydroxyl groups

Short synthetic routes to a range of BEDT-TTF derivatives functionalised with two, four or eight hydroxyl groups are reported, of interest because of their potential for introducing hydrogen bonding between donor and anion into their radical cation salts. The cycloaddition of 1,3-dithiole-2,4,5-trithione with alkenes to construct 5,6-dihydro-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-b]1,4-dithiin-2-thiones is a key step, with homo- or hetero-coupling procedures and O-deprotection completing the syntheses. The first synthesis of a single diastereomer of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)BEDT-TTF, the cis, trans product, was achieved by careful choice of O-protecting groups to facilitate separation of homo- and hetero-coupled products. Cyclisation of the trithione with enantiopure 1R,2R,5R,6R-bis(O,O-isopropylidene)hex-3-ene-1,2,5,6-tetrol (from D-mannitol) gave two separable diastereomeric thiones, which can be transformed to enantiomeric BEDT-TTF derivatives with four or eight hydroxyl groups

DAVOR MARIJAN, Borbe za Kupres 1942. Pohod proleterskih brigada i borbe za Kupres u ljeto 1942. godine., AGM - Biblioteka Povjesnica, Zagreb 1999., 279 str.

The \u3bc-opioid peptide (MOP) receptor is a member of the opioid receptor family and an important clinical target for analgesia. Measuring MOP receptor location and tracking its turnover traditionally used radiolabels or antibodies with attendant problems of utility of radiolabels in whole cells and poor antibody selectivity. To address these issues we have synthesized and characterised a novel ATTO488 based fluorescent Dermorphin analogue; [Cys(ATTO 488)8]Dermorphin-NH2 (DermATTO488). We initially assessed the binding profile of DermATTO488 in HEK cells expressing human MOP and CHO cells expressing human MOP, \u3bc-opioid peptide (DOP), \u3bc-opioid peptide (KOP) and Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors using radioligand binding. Functional activity of the conjugated peptide was assessed by measuring (i) the ability of the ligand to engage G-protein by measuring the ability to stimulate GTP\u3b3[35S] binding and (ii) the ability to stimulate phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Receptor location was visualised using confocal scanning laser microscopy. Dermorphin and DermATTO488 bound to HEKMOP (pKi: 8.29 and 7.00; p0.05), CHOMOP (pKi: 9.26 and 8.12; p0.05) and CHODOP (pKi: 7.03 and 7.16; p0.05). Both ligands were inactive at KOP and NOP. Dermorphin and DermATTO488 stimulated the binding of GTP?[35S] with similar pEC50 (7.84 and 7.62; p0.05) and Emax (1.52 and 1.34fold p0.05) values. Moreover, Dermorphin and DermATTO488 produced a monophasic stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation peaking at 5mins (6.98 and 7.64-fold; p0.05). Finally, in confocal microscopy DermATTO488 bound to recombinant MOP receptors on CHO and HEK cells in a concentration dependent manner that could be blocked by pre-incubation with unlabelled Dermorphin or Naloxone. Collectively, addition to ATTO488 to Dermorphin produced a ligand not dissimilar to Dermorphin; with ~10fold selectivity over DOP. This new ligand DermATTO488 retained functional activity and could be used to visualise MOP receptor location

Inactivation of the Complement Lectin Pathway by Candida tropicalis Secreted Aspartyl Protease-1

Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Candida tropicalis is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and is one of the most frequently isolated non-albicans species. It can cause localised as well as invasive systemic infections particularly in immunocompromised patients. Increased resistance to common anti-fungal drugs is an emerging problem. In order to establish disseminated infections, Candida has evolved several strategies to escape the host immune system. A detailed understanding of how C. tropicalis escapes the host immune attack is needed as it can help develop novel anti-fungal therapies. Secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) of C. albicans have been shown to be determinants of virulence and immune evasion. However, the immune evasion properties of C. tropicalis Saps have been poorly characterised. This study investigated the immune evasion properties of C. tropicalis secreted aspartic protease 1 (Sapt1). Sapt1 was recombinantly produced using a Kluyveromyces lactis yeast expression system. A range of complement proteins and immunogloublins were screened to test if Sapt1 had any proteolytic activity. Sapt1 efficiently cleaved human mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and collectin-11, which are the initiating molecules of the lectin pathway of the complement system, but not L-ficolin. In addition, Sapt1 cleaved DC-SIGN, the receptor on antigen presenting dendritic cells. Proteolysis was prominent in acidic condition (pH 5.2), a characteristic of aspartyl protease. No proteolytic activity was detected against complement proteins C1q, C3, C3b, IgG and IgA. In view of the ability of Sapt1 to cleave MBL and collectin-11, we found that Sapt1 could prevent activation of the complement lectin pathway. RT-qPCR analysis using three different C. tropicalis clinical isolates (oral, blood and peritoneal dialysis fluid) revealed relatively higher levels of mRNA expression of Sapt1 gene when compared to a reference strain; Sapt1 protein was found to be secreted by all the tested strains. Lectin pathway and its initiating components are crucial to provide front line defence against Candida infections. For the first time, we have shown that a Candida protease can proteolytically degrade the key initiating components of lectin pathway and inhibit complement activation. Findings from this study highlight the importance of exploring Sapt1 as a potential therapeutic target. We conclude that C. tropicalis secretes Sapt1 to target the complement lectin pathway, a key pattern recognition and clearance mechanism, for its survival and pathogenesis

“It’s not something I chose you know”: making sense of pedophiles’ sexual interest in children and the impact on their psychosexual identity

Sexual interest in children is one of the most strongly predictive of the known risk factors for sexual reconviction. It is an important aspect of risk assessment to identify the presence of such interest, and an important task for treatment providers to address such a sexual interest where it is present. It has been argued that understanding pedophiles’ deviant sexual interest in children can enhance risk assessment, management, and treatment planning. This research study aims to explore the phenomenology of deviant sexual interest in children, the impact it has on pedophilic offenders’ identities, and their views on the treatability of that interest. The study used semistructured interviews and repertory grids to make sense of participants’ experiences. The results revealed three superordinate themes: “‘living’ with a deviant sexual interest,” “relational sexual self,” and “possible and feared sexual self.” The analysis unpacks these themes and repertory grid analysis is used to explore a subset of participants’ identities in more detail. The results reveal that there needs to be an acceptance from both client and therapist that their sexual interest in children may never go away. Through this acceptance, clients could work on enhancing sexual self-regulation, recognizing their triggers, and so managing their sexual thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Implications for treatment are also discussed

Long term life dissatisfaction and subsequent major depressive disorder and poor mental health

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Poor mental health, especially due to depression, is one of the main public health problems. Early indicators of poor mental health in general population are needed. This study examined the relationship between long-term life dissatisfaction and subsequent mental health, including major depressive disorder.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Health questionnaires were sent to a randomly selected population-based sample in 1998 and repeated in 1999 and 2001. In 2005, a clinically studied sub-sample (n = 330) was composed of subjects with (n = 161) or without (n = 169) repeatedly reported adverse mental symptoms at all three previous data collection times. Clinical symptom assessments were performed with several psychometric scales: life satisfaction (<b>LS</b>), depression (<b>HDRS, BDI</b>), hopelessness (<b>HS</b>), mental distress (<b>GHQ</b>), dissociative experiences (<b>DES</b>), and alexithymia (<b>TAS</b>). The long-term life dissatisfaction burden was calculated by summing these life satisfaction scores in 1998, 1999, 2001 and dividing the sum into tertiles. Psychiatric diagnoses were confirmed by SCID-I for DSM-IV in 2005. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the studied relationship.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The previous life dissatisfaction burden associated with adverse socio-demographic, life style and clinical factors. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, it was independently and strongly associated with subsequent major depressive disorder in 2005, even when the concurrent LS score in 2005 was included in the model. Excluding those with reported major depressive disorder in 1999 did not alter this finding.</p> <p>Limitations</p> <p>MDD in 1999 was based on self-reports and not on structured interview and LS data in 2001-2005 was not available.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The life satisfaction burden is significantly related to major depressive disorder and poor mental health, both in cross-sectional and longitudinal settings.</p