PLDAPS: A Hardware Architecture and Software Toolbox for Neurophysiology Requiring Complex Visual Stimuli and Online Behavioral Control

Neurophysiological studies in awake, behaving primates (both human and non-human) have focused with increasing scrutiny on the temporal relationship between neural signals and behaviors. Consequently, laboratories are often faced with the problem of developing experimental equipment that can support data recording with high temporal precision and also be flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of experimental paradigms. To this end, we have developed a MATLAB toolbox that integrates several modern pieces of equipment, but still grants experimenters the flexibility of a high-level programming language. Our toolbox takes advantage of three popular and powerful technologies: the Plexon apparatus for neurophysiological recordings (Plexon, Inc., Dallas, TX, USA), a Datapixx peripheral (Vpixx Technologies, Saint-Bruno, QC, Canada) for control of analog, digital, and video input–output signals, and the Psychtoolbox MATLAB toolbox for stimulus generation (Brainard, 1997; Pelli, 1997; Kleiner et al., 2007). The PLDAPS (“Platypus”) system is designed to support the study of the visual systems of awake, behaving primates during multi-electrode neurophysiological recordings, but can be easily applied to other related domains. Despite its wide range of capabilities and support for cutting-edge video displays and neural recording systems, the PLDAPS system is simple enough for someone with basic MATLAB programming skills to design their own experiments

Polyethylene and metal debris generated by non-articulating surfaces of modular acetabular components

We report a prospective study of the liner-metal interfaces of modular uncemented acetabular components as sources of debris. We collected the pseudomembrane from the screw-cup junction and the empty screw holes of the metal backing of 19 acetabula after an average implantation of 22 months. Associated osteolytic lesions were separately collected in two cases. The back surfaces of the liners and the screws were examined for damage, and some liners were scanned by electron microscopy. The tissues were studied histologically and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to measure titanium content. The pseudomembrane from the screw-cup junction contained polyethylene debris in seven specimens and metal debris in ten. The material from empty screw holes was necrotic tissue or dense fibroconnective tissue with a proliferative histiocytic infiltrate and foreign-body giant-cell reaction. It contained polyethylene debris in 14 cases and metal in five. The two acetabular osteolytic lesions also showed a foreign-body giant-cell reaction to particulate debris. The average titanium levels in pseudomembranes from the screw-cup junction and the empty screw holes were 959 micrograms/g (48 to 11,900) and 74 micrograms/g (0.72 to 331) respectively. The tissue from the two lytic lesions showed average titanium levels of 139 and 147 micrograms/g respectively. The back surfaces of the PE liners showed surface deformation, burnishing, and embedded metal debris. All 30 retrieved screws demonstrated fretting at the base of the head and on the proximal shaft. Non-articular modular junctions create new interfaces for the generation of particulate debris, which may cause granulomatous reaction

Spectropolarimetry of SN 2011dh in M51: geometric insights on a Type IIb supernova progenitor and explosion

We present seven epochs of spectropolarimetry of the Type IIb supernova (SN) 2011dh in M51, spanning 86 days of its evolution. The first epoch was obtained 9 days after the explosion, when the photosphere was still in the depleted hydrogen layer of the stripped-envelope progenitor. Continuum polarization is securely detected at the level of P~0.5% through day 14 and appears to diminish by day 30, which is different from the prevailing trends suggested by studies of other core-collapse SNe. Time-variable modulations in P and position angle are detected across P-Cygni line features. H-alpha and HeI polarization peak after 30 days and exhibit position angles roughly aligned with the earlier continuum, while OI and CaII appear to be geometrically distinct. We discuss several possibilities to explain the evolution of the continuum and line polarization, including the potential effects of a tidally deformed progenitor star, aspherical radioactive heating by fast-rising plumes of Ni-56 from the core, oblique shock breakout, or scattering by circumstellar material. While these possibilities are plausible and guided by theoretical expectations, they are not unique solutions to the data. The construction of more detailed hydrodynamic and radiative-transfer models that incorporate complex aspherical geometries will be required to further elucidate the nature of the polarized radiation from SN 2011dh and other Type IIb supernovae.Comment: Post-proof edit. Accepted to MNRAS 2015 Aug 1

SN2012ab: A Peculiar Type IIn Supernova with Aspherical Circumstellar Material

We present photometry, spectra, and spectropolarimetry of supernova (SN) 2012ab, mostly obtained over the course of $\sim 300$ days after discovery. SN 2012ab was a Type IIn (SN IIn) event discovered near the nucleus of spiral galaxy 2MASXJ12224762+0536247. While its light curve resembles that of SN 1998S, its spectral evolution does not. We see indications of CSM interaction in the strong intermediate-width emission features, the high luminosity (peak at absolute magnitude $M=-19.5$), and the lack of broad absorption features in the spectrum. The H$\alpha$ emission undergoes a peculiar transition. At early times it shows a broad blue emission wing out to $-14{,}000$ km $\mathrm{s^{-1}}$ and a truncated red wing. Then at late times ($>$ 100$\,$days) it shows a truncated blue wing and a very broad red emission wing out to roughly $+20{,}000$ km $\mathrm{s^{-1}}$. This late-time broad red wing probably arises in the reverse shock. Spectra also show an asymmetric intermediate-width H$\alpha$ component with stronger emission on the red side at late times. The evolution of the asymmetric profiles requires a density structure in the distant CSM that is highly aspherical. Our spectropolarimetric data also suggest asphericity with a strong continuum polarization of $\sim 1-3$% and depolarization in the H$\alpha$ line, indicating asphericity in the CSM at a level comparable to that in other SNe IIn. We estimate a mass-loss rate of $\dot{M} = 0.050\, {\rm M}_{\odot}\,\mathrm{yr^{-1}}$ for $v_{\rm pre} = 100$$\,$km$\,$$\mathrm{s^{-1}}$ extending back at least 75$\,$yr prior to the SN. The strong departure from axisymmetry in the CSM of SN 2012ab may suggest that the progenitor was an eccentric binary system undergoing eruptive mass loss.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figure

Unsettling sustainability: the poetics of discomfort

peerreview_statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope. aims_and_scope_url: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rgrl2

The Timing of Feedback to Early Visual Cortex in the Perception of Long-Range Apparent Motion

When 2 visual stimuli are presented one after another in different locations, they are often perceived as one, but moving object. Feedback from area human motion complex hMT/V5+ to V1 has been hypothesized to play an important role in this illusory perception of motion. We measured event-related responses to illusory motion stimuli of varying apparent motion (AM) content and retinal location using Electroencephalography. Detectable cortical stimulus processing started around 60-ms poststimulus in area V1. This component was insensitive to AM content and sequential stimulus presentation. Sensitivity to AM content was observed starting around 90 ms post the second stimulus of a sequence and most likely originated in area hMT/V5+. This AM sensitive response was insensitive to retinal stimulus position. The stimulus sequence related response started to be sensitive to retinal stimulus position at a longer latency of 110 ms. We interpret our findings as evidence for feedback from area hMT/V5+ or a related motion processing area to early visual cortices (V1, V2, V3)

ДІАГНОСТИКА КЛІЩОВИХ ІНФЕКЦІЙ У ВАГІТНИХ

The aim of the study – to determine the frequency of infection with B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.), A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. and tick-borne encephalitis virus (ТВEV) of pregnant women in Ternopil region. Materials and Methods. 43 pregnant women at 22–27 weeks of pregnancy, who had pathology of pregnancy, were examined. Specific IgM and IgG antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. were determined in blood serum by ELISA test, as well as DNA of: B. burgdorferi s. l. and A. phagocytophilum; RNA of: Babesia spp. and TBEV in the blood of pregnant women by real-time PCR. Results and Discussion. Specific IgM and/or IgG antibodies to B. burgdorferi s. l. (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzeli, B. garinii) by ELISA test were detected in the sera of 41.9 % of pregnant women. By PCR method DNA of B. burgdorferi s. l. found in the blood of 9.3 % in pregnant women; DNA of A. phagocytophilum – in 6.9 %, RNA of Babesia spp. – in 4.7 %, RNA TBEV – in 4.7 %. Сonclusion. Detection of nucleic acids of tick-borne infections in pregnant women with pathology of pregnancy probably indicates the possible involvement of these pathogens in the occurrence of this pathology. Pregnant women can become infected by consuming uncooked goat's and cattle milk.Цель исследования – установить частоту инфицирования B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.), A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. и вирусом клещевого энцефалита (ВКЭ) беременных Тернопольщины. Материалы и методы. Обследовано 43 беременных на 22–27-й неделях беременности, которые имели патологию беременности. В сыворотке крови определяли специфические антитела классов IgM и IgG к B. burgdorferi s. l. методом ИФА, а также ДНК B. burgdorferi s. l, A. phagocytophilum и РНК Babesia spp. и ВКЕ в крови беременных с помощью ПЦР в режиме реального времени. Результаты исследования и их обсуждение. Специфические антитела IgM и/или IgG к B. burgdorferi s. l. (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzeli, B. garinii) с помощью ИФА выявлено в сыворотках крови 41,9 % беременных. Методом ПЦР ДНК B. burgdorferi s. l. найдено в крови 9,3 % беременных, ДНК A. phagocytophilum – в 6,9 %, РНК Babesia spp. – у 4,7 %, РНК ВКЭ – у 4,7 %. Вывод. Выявление нуклеиновых кислот возбудителей клещевых инфекций у беременных с патологией беременности, вероятно, свидетельствует о возможной причастности отмеченных возбудителей к возникновению этой патологии. Возможно инфицирование беременных при употреблении термически не обработанного молока коз и крупного рогатого скота.Мета дослідження – з’ясувати частоту інфікування B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.), A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. і вірусом кліщового енцефаліту (ВКЕ) вагітних Тернопільщини. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 43 вагітних на 22–27-му тижнях вагітності, які мали патологію вагітності. В сироватці крові визначали специфічні антитіла класів IgM та IgG до B. burgdorferi s. l. методом ІФА, а також ДНК B. burgdorferi s. l., A. phagocytophilum та РНК Babesia spp. і ВКЕ в крові вагітних за допомогою ПЛР у режимі реального часу. Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. Специфічні антитіла IgM і/чи IgG до B. burgdorferi s. l. (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzeli, B. garinii) за допомогою ІФА виявлено у сироватках крові 41,9 % вагітних. Методом ПЛР ДНК B. burgdorferi s. l. знайдено в крові 9,3 % вагітних; ДНК A. phagocytophilum – у 6,9 %, РНК Babesia spp. – у 4,7 %, РНК ВКЕ – у 4,7 %. Висновок. Виявлення нуклеїнових кислот збудників кліщових інфекцій у вагітних із патологією вагітності, ймовірно, свідчить про можливу причетність зазначених збудників до виникнення цієї патології. Можливе інфікування вагітних при вживанні термічно не обробленого молока кіз і великої рогатої худоби

Towards an alternative testing strategy for nanomaterials used in nanomedicine: lessons from NanoTEST.

In spite of recent advances in describing the health outcomes of exposure to nanoparticles (NPs), it still remains unclear how exactly NPs interact with their cellular targets. Size, surface, mass, geometry, and composition may all play a beneficial role as well as causing toxicity. Concerns of scientists, politicians and the public about potential health hazards associated with NPs need to be answered. With the variety of exposure routes available, there is potential for NPs to reach every organ in the body but we know little about the impact this might have. The main objective of the FP7 NanoTEST project ( www.nanotest-fp7.eu ) was a better understanding of mechanisms of interactions of NPs employed in nanomedicine with cells, tissues and organs and to address critical issues relating to toxicity testing especially with respect to alternatives to tests on animals. Here we describe an approach towards alternative testing strategies for hazard and risk assessment of nanomaterials, highlighting the adaptation of standard methods demanded by the special physicochemical features of nanomaterials and bioavailability studies. The work has assessed a broad range of toxicity tests, cell models and NP types and concentrations taking into account the inherent impact of NP properties and the effects of changes in experimental conditions using well-characterized NPs. The results of the studies have been used to generate recommendations for a suitable and robust testing strategy which can be applied to new medical NPs as they are developed