Cognitive Evoked Potentials (P300): Is the Decision To Press a Button Always Conscious?

Evoked cognitive potentials are a promising experimental technique that can be useful in diagnosis of various cognitive disorders, especially connected to the various memory impairments. Of particular interest to researchers is the study of the cognitive evoked potentials’ latency when recognition of various stimuli isinvolved. To study the physiological nature and functional role of evoked cognitive potentials observed during the reaction to stimuli, and to determine the degree of conscious control involved in this reaction, the experimental data were statistically analyzed to determine the numerical correlation between the working memory capacity and the cognitive potential’s latency. The cognitive EPs were measured for 166 healthy subjects and 63 others that had some pathological brain condition (discirculatory encephalopathy and other brain discirculatory disorders), varied by the age and gender. Measurements were done with the Neurosoft Neuro-MEP 4 computerized encephalography system, which implemented the standard method of large latency neural response measurement for P300 waves. Measurements were done in the setup where the subject had to recognize the significant stimuli and react to them by pressing a button. The significant stimulus was represented by a 2 kHz tone, while the insignificant stimuli were the frequently repeated 1 kHz tones.The brainwaves were registered in Cz-M1 and Cz-M2 outputs. This method allowed detection and latency measurements of the main response components N2, P3a P3ab and N3. Working memory capacity was determined by the number of words from a 10–15 word sets correctly reproduced shortly after exposures, as outlined by Luria. A statistically significant nonlinear correlation was observed between the memory capacity and the EP’s latency, which was fitted by a modified hyperbolic function. Additionally, greater latencies were observed for subjects suffering from the memory disorders, and much shorter latencies were in general noted for the male subjects as opposed to the female ones. One more interesting observation was that in manycases the absolute reaction time was less than the cognitive potential peak taken as a conscious decision, suggesting that it is in many cases an automatic reaction. Cognitive potentials measurements, being an instrumental method, allow a clinical psychologist much greater flexibility in his diagnostic repertory, as it can be used even in the cases where word tests cannot. Also, the reaction times shorter than the latency of conscious reaction to stimuli adds weight to the simultaneous codes theory of automatic reactions. Keywords: working memory capacity (WMC), regression line, nonlinear correlation, test less WMC estimates, cognitive processes, working memory, cognitive evoked potentials simultaneous codes, positional game, conscious cognitive comparison, P30

Detection of the spectral binary (SB2) nature of BD-6^o1178

BD-6^o1178 identified with the infrared source IRAS05238-0626 is shown for the first time to be a spectroscopic binary (SB2) by analyzing the high-resolution spectra taken with the NES echelle spectrograph of the 6-m telescope. The components of the binary have close spectral types and luminosity classes: F5IV-III and F3V. The heliocentric radial velocities are measured for both components at four observing moments in 2004-2005. Both stars have close rotation velocities, which are equal to 24 and 19km/s. We do not confirm the classification of BD-6^o1178 as a supergiant in the transition stage of becoming a planetary nebula. BD-6^o1178 probably is a young pre-MS stars. It is possibly a member of the 1c subgroup of the OriOB1 association.Comment: 13 pages, 1 table, 4 figure

V2324Cyg - an F-type star with fast wind

For the first time high-resolution optical spectroscopy of the variable star V2324Cyg associated with the IR-source IRAS20572+4919 is made. More than 200 absorption features (mostly FeII, TiII, CrII, YII, BaII, and YII) are identified within the wavelength interval 4549-7880AA. The spectral type and rotation velocity of the star are found to be F0III and Vsini=69km/s, respectively. HI and NaID lines have complex PCyg-type profiles with an emission component. Neither systematic trend of radial velocity Vr with line depth Ro nor temporal variability of Vr have been found. We determined the average heliocentric radial velocity Vr=-16.8\pm 0.6km/s. The radial velocities inferred from the cores of the absorption components of the H$\beta$ and NaI wind lines vary from -140 to -225km/s (and the expansion velocities of the corresponding layers, from about 120 to 210km/s). The maximum expansion velocity is found for the blue component of the split H$\alpha$ absorption: 450km/s for December 12, 1995. The model atmospheres method is used to determine the star's parameters: Teff=7500K, log g=2.0, $\xi_t$=6.0km/s, and metallicity, which is equal to the solar value. The main peculiarity of the chemical abundances pattern is the overabundance of lithium and sodium. The results cast some doubt on the classification of V2324Cyg as a post-AGB star.Comment: 28 pages, 6 figure

Structure and properties of lymphocytes’ surfaces in patients with chronic lymphoblastic leucosis

In the investigation that was performed, the authors studied the structure and properties of lymphocytes’ surfaces in patients with chronic lymphoblastic leukemia with application of atomic force microscopy technology. It was stated that development of chronic lymphoblastic leukemia is characterized with circulation of immature forms of lymphocytic series in peripheral bloodstream, for which increase of surface potential by 456% (p<0.05) as compared with control group, is typica

Shibusawa Eiichi\u27s View of Japan\u27s Foreign Affairs: Focusing on His Influences on the Meiji Government

From the mid-nineteenth century, Asia, including China and Japan, has been involved in the trend of modernization that was triggered by the activities of European and American powers in this area. In a time of drastic changes, Shibusawa Eiichi (1840-1931) assumed several roles successively: he served as retainer during the bakumatsu period, as official in the Meiji government, and afterwards as businessman, philanthropist, and non-official diplomat. During his service in the Meiji government from 1869 to 1873 and as an entrepreneur from 1873 to 1909, Shibusawa played a key role in devising economic and diplomatic policies for the Meiji government. He is even considered a major designer of modem Japanese economic systems and society. This paper examines Shibusawa Eiichi\u27s view of Japan\u27s foreign affairs and focuses on the way he influenced the Meiji government

The multistatutory nature of the adjective "Right" in adjectival English lexicon

This article provides an outline on an adjective in modern English language, and in particular, the multistatus lexical item “right”, which carries different meanings in different variants of combinatorics. The authors analyse the combinations used with the adjectival lexical item “right” and identify categories that determine the semantic content of each given statemen

Antimicrobial peptide protegrin-3 adopt an antiparallel dimer in the presence of DPC micelles: A high-resolution NMR study

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. A tendency to dimerize in the presence of lipids was found for the protegrin. The dimer formation by the protegrin-1 (PG-1) is the first step for further oligomeric membrane pore formation. Generally there are two distinct model of PG-1 dimerization in either a parallel or antiparallel β-sheet. But despite the wealth of data available today, protegrin dimer structure and pore formation is still not completely understood. In order to investigate a more detailed dimerization process of PG-1 and if it will be the same for another type of protegrins, in this work we used a high-resolution NMR spectroscopy for structure determination of protegrin-3 (RGGGL-CYCRR-RFCVC-VGR) in the presence of perdeuterated DPC micelles and demonstrate that PG-3 forms an antiparallel NCCN dimer with a possible association of these dimers. This structural study complements previously published solution, solid state and computational studies of PG-1 in various environments and validate the potential of mean force simulations of PG-1 dimers and association of dimers to form octameric or decameric β-barrels

Oligomerization of the antimicrobial peptide Protegrin-5 in a membrane-mimicking environment. Structural studies by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy

© 2016 European Biophysical Societies' AssociationProtegrin pore formation is believed to occur in a stepwise fashion that begins with a nonspecific peptide interaction with the negatively charged bacterial cell walls via hydrophobic and positively charged amphipathic surfaces. There are five known nature protegrins (PG1-PG5), and early studies of PG-1 (PDB ID:1PG1) shown that it could form antiparallel dimer in membrane mimicking environment which could be a first step for further oligomeric membrane pore formation. Later, we solved PG-2 (PDB ID:2MUH) and PG-3 (PDB ID:2MZ6) structures in the same environment and for PG-3 observed a strong dαα NOE effects between residues R18 and F12, V14, and V16. These “inconsistent” with monomer structure NOEs appears due to formation of an additional antiparallel β-sheet between two monomers. It was also suggested that there is a possible association of protegrins dimers to form octameric or decameric β-barrels in an oligomer state. In order to investigate a more detailed oligomerization process of protegrins, in the present article we report the monomer (PDB ID: 2NC7) and octamer pore structures of the protegrin-5 (PG-5) in the presence of DPC micelles studied by solution NMR spectroscopy. In contrast to PG-1, PG-2, and PG-3 studies, for PG-5 we observed not only dimer NOEs but also several additional NOEs between side chains, which allows us to calculate an octamer pore structure of PG-5 that was in good agreement with previous AFM and PMF data

Dynamical lymphadenectomy as a component of multidisciplinary approach while doing operative interventions for pancreatic cancer

Objective. To improve the results of treatment of pancreatic cancer, using modification of volumes of lymphadenectomy and application of multidisciplinary approach. Materials and methods. Into the investigation 16 patients, suffering a moderately differentiated (G2) adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic gland head (II stage of the disease) were included. There were 10 men and 6 women. The average age of the patients have constituted 62.4 yrs old. The patients were divided into two groups – the main and the comparative one, equally - by 8 of every group. In all the patients pancreaticoduodenal resection was done. All the patients in postoperative period have obtained gemcitabine in combination with 5-fluorouracyl. In patients of the main group a dynamical personalized intraoperative lymphadenectomy in accordance to our elaborated scheme, was performed. In patients of the comparison group lymphadenectomy was performed in accordance to the volumes adjusted, and it is called a standard one. Results. Average duration of the operation have constituted (347 ± 48) min, lymphadenectomy – (42 ± 12) min in the main group, and (31 ± 9) in the comparison group. Average volume of the blood loss have constituted (342 ± 272) ml. Average duration of hospitalization have constituted (8.2 ± 4.3) days, general rate of postoperative complications – 24.3% in both groups. After the operation the mortality was absent. Clinically significant lymphorrhea was observed in 3 patients in the main group, and in 5 – from the comparison group. In patients of the main group 9 ± 2 lymph nodes were excised, and in a comparative one – 13 ± 2, there were revealed 7 ± 1 (77.7%) and 9 ± 2 (60%) lymph nodes affected, accordingly. Postoperative diarrhea have occurred in 4 patients: in 3 – from comparative group, and in 1 – from the main group. Duration of the recurrence-free period in the main group have constituted (18 ± 2.3) mo, and in a comparative one – (13 ± 1.5) mo. Two years have survived 12/16 (75%) patients. In the main group one patient died, and in a comparative one - 3. The two-year survival in the main group have constituted 87.5%, and in a comparative one – 62.5%. Conclusion. Dynamical lymphadenectomy as a component of multidisciplinary approach gives possibility to reduce the quantity of the lymph nodes excised, unaffected by the tumor, to enhance the quantity of the excised lymph nodes trustworthily affected by the tumor, to lower the morbidity rate and to prolong the duration of the recurrence free period