322 research outputs found
Quantitative morphological analysis of submarine canyon-channel systems on the US Atlantic continental margin
Mulitbeam data of the Atlantic continental margin was used to quantify morphologic parameters of 15 canyon channels between Cape Hatteras and Georges Bank. Detailed morphologic comparison of channel parameters identified two different morphologies; Type I, U- and V-shaped with well-defined channels walls, and Type II, an incised channel bordered by terraces. Eight canyon channels are Type I whereas 7 are mixed Type I and II. Channel wall relief is the foremost differentiating parameter between Type I channels and either decreases with increased distance down-channel or increases to a maximum between the 3250 and 4000 m isobaths. Entrenchment co-occurs with steeper local seafloor slope and may reflect channel equilibrium status. The magnitude of entrenchment may be affected by riverine discharge and confinement. A north-south variation in the magnitude of channel wall relief indicates differences in margin processes. Longitudinal profiles of the channels also show a north-south relationship that reflects regional slopes
Early adversity and positive parenting: Predicting executive functioning in children with ASD
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are statistically more likely to experience early adversity; however, little is known about which types of adversity are most prevalent, the role of parenting as a protective factor, and how this early life stress impacts cognitive outcomes. We assessed adversity and parenting styles in 238 children (ASD=82) aged 6â16 years using parent report. Intellectual abilities were assessed using the WISC-V. Children with ASD had increased incidence of familial stressors compared to Typically Developing (TD) children. Positive parenting was associated with significant decreases in familial adversity for all children. Environmental stressors were associated with cognitive impairments, but only in young children (6â11 years) with ASD. Findings suggest children with ASD may be at higher risk for familial adversity and potential cognitive deficits than their TD peers. All children benefit from positive parenting which may mitigate the negative effects of familial stress
Overcoming the Interfacial Limitations Imposed by the SolidâSolid Interface in SolidâState Batteries Using Ionic LiquidâBased Interlayers
Li-garnets are promising inorganic ceramic solid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries, showing good electrochemical stability with Li anode. However, their brittle and stiff nature restricts their intimate contact with both the electrodes, hence presenting high interfacial resistance to the ionic mobility. To address this issue, a strategy employing ionic liquid electrolyte (ILE) thin interlayers at the electrodes/electrolyte interfaces is adopted, which helps overcome the barrier for ion transport. The chemically stable ILE improves the electrodes-solid electrolyte contact, significantly reducing the interfacial resistance at both the positive and negative electrodes interfaces. This results in the more homogeneous deposition of metallic lithium at the negative electrode, suppressing the dendrite growth across the solid electrolyte even at high current densities of 0.3 mA cm. Further, the improved interface Li/electrolyte interface results in decreasing the overpotential of symmetric Li/Li cells from 1.35 to 0.35 V. The ILE modified Li/LLZO/LFP cells stacked either in monopolar or bipolar configurations show excellent electrochemical performance. In particular, the bipolar cell operates at a high voltage (â8V) and delivers specific capacity as high as 145 mAh g with a coulombic efficiency greater than 99%
Reducing Capacity and Voltage Decay of Co-Free Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 as Positive Electrode Material for Lithium Batteries Employing an Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolyte
Lithiumârich layered oxides (LRLOs) exhibit specific capacities above 250 mAh g, i.e., higher than any of the commercially employed lithiumâionâpositive electrode materials. Such high capacities result in high specific energies, meeting the tough requirements for electric vehicle applications. However, LRLOs generally suffer from severe capacity and voltage fading, originating from undesired structural transformations during cycling. Herein, the ecoâfriendly, cobaltâfree LiNiMnO (LRNM), offering a specific energy above 800 Wh kg at 0.1 C, is investigated in combination with a lithium metal anode and a room temperature ionic liquidâbased electrolyte, i.e., lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and NâbutylâNâmethylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide. As evidenced by electrochemical performance and highâresolution transmission electron microscopy, Xâray photoelectron spectroscopy, and online differential electrochemical mass spectrometry characterization, this electrolyte is capable of suppressing the structural transformation of the positive electrode material, resulting in enhanced cycling stability compared to conventional carbonateâbased electrolytes. Practically, the capacity and voltage fading are significantly limited to only 19% and 3% (i.e., lower than 0.2 mV per cycle), respectively, after 500 cycles. Finally, the beneficial effect of the ionic liquidâbased electrolyte is validated in lithiumâion cells employing LRNM and LiTiO. These cells achieve a promising capacity retention of 80% after 500 cycles at 1 C
Asp1 Bifunctional Activity Modulates Spindle Function via Controlling Cellular Inositol Pyrophosphate Levels in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
The generation of two daughter cells with the same genetic information requires error-free chromosome segregation during mitosis. Chromosome transmission fidelity is dependent on spindle structure/function, which requires Asp1 in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Asp1 belongs to the diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate kinase (PPIP5K)/Vip1 family which generates high-energy inositol pyrophosphate (IPP) molecules. Here, we show that Asp1 is a bifunctional enzyme in vivo: Asp1 kinase generates specific IPPs which are the substrates of the Asp1 pyrophosphatase. Intracellular levels of these IPPs directly correlate with microtubule stability: pyrophosphatase loss-of-function mutants raised Asp1-made IPP levels 2-fold, thus increasing microtubule stability, while overexpression of the pyrophosphatase decreased microtubule stability. Absence of Asp1-generated IPPs resulted in an aberrant, increased spindle association of the S. pombe kinesin-5 family member Cut7, which led to spindle collapse. Thus, chromosome transmission is controlled via intracellular IPP levels. Intriguingly, identification of the mitochondrion-associated Met10 protein as the first pyrophosphatase inhibitor revealed that IPPs also regulate mitochondrial distribution
Stress induced polarization of immune-neuroendocrine phenotypes in Gallus gallus
Immune-neuroendocrine phenotypes (INPs) stand for population subgroups differing in immune-neuroendocrine interactions. While mammalian INPs have been characterized thoroughly in rats and humans, avian INPs were only recently described in Coturnix coturnix (quail). To assess the scope of this biological phenomenon, herein we characterized INPs in Gallus gallus (a domestic hen strain submitted to a very long history of strong selective breeding pressure) and evaluated whether a social chronic stress challenge modulates the individualsâ interplay affecting the INP subsets and distribution. Evaluating plasmatic basal corticosterone, interferon-Îł and interleukin-4 concentrations, innate/acquired leukocyte ratio, PHA-P skin-swelling and induced antibody responses, two opposite INP profiles were found: LEWIS-like (15% of the population) and FISCHER-like (16%) hens. After chronic stress, an increment of about 12% in each polarized INP frequency was found at expenses of a reduction in the number of birds with intermediate responses. Results show that polarized INPs are also a phenomenon occurring in hens. The observed inter-individual variation suggest that, even after a considerable selection process, the population is still well prepared to deal with a variety of immune-neuroendocrine challenges. Stress promoted disruptive effects, leading to a more balanced INPs distribution, which represents a new substrate for challenging situations.Fil: Nazar, Franco Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas; ArgentinaFil: Estevez, Inma. Centro de InvestigaciĂłn. Neiker - Tecnalia; EspañaFil: Correa, Silvia Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico CĂłrdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en BioquĂmica ClĂnica e InmunologĂa; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Raul Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas; Argentin
The management and outcome for patients with chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study in the United Kingdom
Symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) will become an increasingly common presentation in neurosurgical practice as the population ages, but quality evidence is still lacking to guide the optimal management for these patients. The British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative (BNTRC) was established by neurosurgical trainees in 2012 to improve research by combining the efforts of trainees in each of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland's neurosurgical units (NSUs). The authors present the first study by the BNTRC that describes current management and outcomes for patients with CSDH throughout the UK and Ireland. This provides a resource both for current clinical practice and future clinical research on CSDH
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