Open Problems on Central Simple Algebras

We provide a survey of past research and a list of open problems regarding central simple algebras and the Brauer group over a field, intended both for experts and for beginners.Comment: v2 has some small revisions to the text. Some items are re-numbered, compared to v

Mesoporous monoliths of inverse bicontinuous cubic phases of block copolymer bilayers

Solution self-assembly of block copolymers into inverse bicontinuous cubic mesophases is a promising new approach for creating porous polymer films and monoliths with highly organized bicontinuous mesoporous networks. Here we report the direct self-assembly of block copolymers with branched hydrophilic blocks into large monoliths consisting of the inverse bicontinuous cubic structures of the block copolymer bilayer. We suggest a facile and scalable method of solution self-assembly by diffusion of water to the block copolymer solution, which results in the unperturbed formation of mesoporous monoliths with large-pore (>25nm diameter) networks weaved in crystalline lattices. The surface functional groups of the internal large-pore networks are freely accessible for large guest molecules such as protein complexes of which the molecular weight exceeded 100kDa. The internal double-diamond (Pn3m) networks of large pores within the mesoporous monoliths could be replicated to self-supporting three-dimensional skeletal structures of crystalline titania and mesoporous silica.open2

MicroRNA networks direct neuronal development and plasticity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of small, non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. In neurons, the functions of individual miRNAs are just beginning to emerge, and recent studies have elucidated roles for neural miRNAs at various stages of neuronal development and maturation, including neurite outgrowth, dendritogenesis, and spine formation. Notably, miRNAs regulate mRNA translation locally in the axosomal and synaptodendritic compartments, and thereby contribute to the dynamic spatial organization of axonal and dendritic structures and their function. Given the critical role for miRNAs in regulating early brain development and in mediating synaptic plasticity later in life, it is tempting to speculate that the pathology of neurological disorders is affected by altered expression or functioning of miRNAs. Here we provide an overview of recently identified mechanisms of neuronal development and plasticity involving miRNAs, and the consequences of miRNA dysregulation

Amygdala-hippocampal dynamics during salient information processing

Recognizing motivationally salient information is critical to guiding behaviour. The amygdala and hippocampus are thought to support this operation, but the circuit-level mechanism of this interaction is unclear. We used direct recordings in the amygdala and hippocampus from human epilepsy patients to examine oscillatory activity during processing of fearful faces compared with neutral landscapes. We report high gamma (70–180 Hz) activation for fearful faces with earlier stimulus evoked onset in the amygdala compared with the hippocampus. Attending to fearful faces compared with neutral landscape stimuli enhances low-frequency coupling between the amygdala and the hippocampus. The interaction between the amygdala and hippocampus is largely unidirectional, with theta/alpha oscillations in the amygdala modulating hippocampal gamma activity. Granger prediction, phase slope index and phase lag analysis corroborate this directional coupling. These results demonstrate that processing emotionally salient events in humans engages an amygdala-hippocampal network, with the amygdala influencing hippocampal dynamics during fear processing