Method and apparatus for measuring gas flow using bubble volume

Method and apparatus for measuring minute gas flows and/or accumulations wherein a gas flow is bubbled through a defined path in separated form and a sensor is used to detect and count each bubble. The bubble count signal can be used to calculate gas accumulation, or to calculate gas flow rate if made during a defined time period, or to meter the flow of the gas to a point of utilization

Approximate Inference for Robust Gaussian Process Regression

Gaussian process (GP) priors have been successfully used in non-parametric Bayesian regression and classification models. Inference can be performed analytically only for the regression model with Gaussian noise. For all other likelihood models inference is intractable and various approximation techniques have been proposed. In recent years expectation-propagation (EP) has been developed as a general method for approximate inference. This article provides a general summary of how expectation-propagation can be used for approximate inference in Gaussian process models. Furthermore we present a case study describing its implementation for a new robust variant of Gaussian process regression. To gain further insights into the quality of the EP approximation we present experiments in which we compare to results obtained by Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling

New kid on the ID block: Neural functions of the Nab2/ZC3H14 class of Cys3His tandem zinc-finger polyadenosine RNA binding proteins

Polyadenosine RNA binding proteins (Pabs) play critical roles in regulating the polyadenylation, nuclear export, stability, and translation of cellular RNAs. Although most Pabs are ubiquitously expressed and are thought to play general roles in post-transcriptional regulation, mutations in genes encoding these factors have been linked to tissue-specific diseases including muscular dystrophy and now intellectual disability (ID). Our recent work defined this connection to ID, as we showed that mutations in the gene encoding the ubiquitously expressed Cys3His tandem zinc-finger (ZnF) Pab, ZC3H14 (Zinc finger protein, CCCH-type, number 14) are associated with non-syndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability (NS-ARID). This study provided a first link between defects in Pab function and a brain disorder, suggesting that ZC3H14 plays a required role in regulating RNAs in nervous system cells. Here we highlight key questions raised by our study of ZC3H14 and its ortholog in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, dNab2, and comment on future approaches that could provide insights into the cellular and molecular roles of this class of zinc finger-containing Pabs. We propose a summary model depicting how ZC3H14-type Pabs might play particularly important roles in neuronal RNA metabolism

Early maladaptive schemas and behavioural addictions: a systematic literature review

As observed in other mental health difficulties, behavioural addiction is a complex construct with several potential predisposing factors, which include biological factors (e.g., genetic predispositions), psychological factors (e.g., personality traits), and social factors (e.g., family, and social history). One factor that may play a significant role in both developing and perpetuating behavioural addiction is the activation of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). The aim of the present review was to synthesize the evidence concerning the relationship between behavioural addiction and EMSs. A comprehensive literature search using keywords and subject headings was performed with three electronic databases, resulting in 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria. In relation to specific behavioural addiction, the 20 studies examined: binge-eating/food addiction (n = 6), sexual addiction/compulsive sexual behaviours (n = 3), multiple addictive behaviours (n = 2), internet addiction (n = 2), smartphone addiction (n = 2), social networking/Facebook addiction (n = 2), exercise dependence (n = 1), gambling (n = 1), and videogame addiction (n = 1). The patterns of association between EMS and behavioural addiction were examined in both clinical and non-clinical population. The ‘Disconnection and Rejection’ domain was the most strongly related schema domain across all addictive behaviours, followed by ‘Impaired Limits’. The present review suggests a positive relationship between schema activation and several addictive behaviours, including addictions to gambling, gaming, social media use sex, exercise, and food. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed, but further research is needed to inform treatment plans and interventions for those who struggle with behavioural addictions

Variabilidade genética e feromonal de populações brasileiras de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae).

A lagarta do cartucho do milho, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) é uma das principais pragas de cultivos de milho nas Américas. No Brasil, o uso do feromônio sintético comercial recomendado para o monitoramento de S. frugiperda não tem apresentado uma captura eficiente de machos em algumas regiões do país. Assim, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo investigar a variabilidade genética e feromonal de populações brasileiras de S. frugiperda, visando contribuir para a melhoria da captura de machos em campo. Lagartas de S. frugiperda foram coletadas em cultivos de milho em diferentes regiões produtoras no país e criadas em laboratório. Os adultos provenientes dessas lagartas foram utilizados para extração e amplificação do DNA. As raças foram identificadas através da técnica de PCR-RFLP do gene mitocondrial citocromo-oxidase mediante a digestão com a endonuclease EcoRV e os haplótipos através do seqüenciamento dos produtos da PCR. O estudo da variabilidade genética inter e intra-populacional demonstrou a existência de duas raças distintas (arroz e milho), mesmo quando coletadas sobre o mesmo hospedeiro (milho). A contribuição de cada raça na composição das populações ao longo do país apresentou uma distribuição irregular entre as populações estudadas, no entanto, a raça predominante em todas as populações analisadas é a raça milho. Também foi verificada variação haplotípica entre diferentes populações do país, e entre indivíduos de um mesmo local. Estes dados indicam que a variabilidade genética encontrada nas populações de S. frugiperda pode representar uma potencial variação no feromônio produzido. Estes resultados poderão contribuir para o entendimento de uma possível variação na composição aos feromônios desta espécie, e no planejamento de uma estratégia de manejo com feromônio para as diferentes populações do país