Well-tempered n-plet dark matter

We study simple effective models of fermionic WIMP dark matter, where the dark matter candidate is a mixture of a Standard Model singlet and an n-plet of SU(2) with n >= 3, stabilized by a discrete symmetry. The dark matter mass is assumed to be around the electroweak scale, and the mixing is generated by higher-dimensional operators, with a cutoff scale > 1 TeV. For appropriate values of the mass parameters and the mixing we find that the observed dark matter relic density can be generated by coannihilation. Direct detection experiments have already excluded large parts of the parameter space, and the next-generation experiments will further constrain these models.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures; v2: references and plots updated, minor corrections, conclusions unchange

Teashirt 1 (Tshz1) is essential for the development, survival and function of hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons in mouse

Feeding and breathing are essential motor functions and rely on the activity of hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons that innervate the tongue and diaphragm, respectively. Little is known about the genetic programs that control the development of these neuronal subtypes. The transcription factor Tshz1 is strongly and persistently expressed in developing hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons. We used conditional mutation of Tshz1 in the progenitor zone of motor neurons (Tshz1(MNΔ)) to show that Tshz1 is essential for survival and function of hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons. Hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons are born in correct numbers, but many die between embryonic day 13.5 and 14.5 in Tshz1(MNΔ) mutant mice. In addition, innervation and electrophysiological properties of phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons are altered. Severe feeding and breathing problems accompany this developmental deficit. Although motor neuron survival can be rescued by elimination of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, innervation, feeding and breathing defects persist in Bax(-/-); Tshz1(MNΔ) mutants. We conclude that Tshz1 is an essential transcription factor for the development and physiological function of phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons

The effects of mindfulness training on weight-loss and health-related behaviours in adults with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of the effects of mindfulness training interventions on weight-loss and health behaviours in adults with overweight and obesity using meta-analytic techniques. Studies included in the analysis (k =12) were randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of any form of mindfulness training on weight loss, impulsive eating, binge eating, or physical activity participation in adults with overweight and obesity. Random effects meta-analysis revealed that mindfulness training had no significant effect on weight loss, but an overall negative effect on impulsive eating (d =-1.13) and binge eating (d =-.90), and a positive effect on physical activity levels (d =.42). Meta-regression analysis showed that methodological features of included studies accounted for 100% of statistical heterogeneity of the effects of mindfulness training on weight loss (R 2 =1,00). Among methodological features, the only significant predictor of weight loss was follow-up distance from post-intervention (ß =1.18; p <.05), suggesting that the longer follow-up distances were associated with greater weight loss. Results suggest that mindfulness training has short-term benefits on health-related behaviours. Future studies should explore the effectiveness of mindfulness training on long-term post-intervention weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity

Harcèlement et abus (violence non accidentelle) dans le sport : synthèse ReFORM de la position de consensus du Comité International Olympique

editorial reviewe

Effets d’une stratégie d’acceptation sur la tolérance à l’effort, la force maximale, la perception de l’effort et de la douleur, chez des personnes souffrant de lombalgie chronique : une étude pilote = Effects of an acute Mindfulness-based intervention on exercise tolerance, maximal strength, pain and effort-related experiences in individuals with primary chronic low back pain: a pilot study

Résumé Introduction : Cette étude examine les effets aigus d’une stratégie d’acceptation basée sur la pleine conscience sur la tolérance à l’effort, la force maximale, la perception de l’effort et de la douleur, chez des personnes souffrant de lombalgie chronique. Méthode : Les participants ont été répartis aléatoirement en deux groupes. Avant et après l’intervention expérimentale ou contrôle, un test de force maximale, un test de Sorensen, et des évaluations relatives à l’effort perçu et aux douleurs ressenties ont été réalisés. La dramatisation de la douleur, l’anxiété trait, la pleine conscience dispositionnelle, et l’impulsivité ont été contrôlées. Des tests-t et modèles à effets mixtes ont été utilisés pour traiter les données. Résultats : L’effort et le caractère désagréable de la douleur ont été significativement plus élevés après l’intervention. Contrairement aux participants du groupe expérimental, les participants du groupe contrôle ont réduit significativement leur force maximale et ont tendu vers une réduction de leur tolérance à l’effort au cours du temps. Discussion : Les résultats soulignent l’intérêt d’interventions basées sur la pleine conscience dans les adaptations à l’effort chez un public souffrant de douleurs chroniques. Les résultats nécessitent d’être répliqués avec des échantillons conséquents et en contrôlant les capacités fonctionnelles des participants. Abstract Introduction: This study investigated the effects of an acute mindfulness-based intervention on exercise tolerance, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), pain and effort-related experiences in individuals with primary chronic low back pain. Method: Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Before and after the intervention, participants completed a MVC test, a modified Sorensen test and numerical rating scales about pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, perceived effort and use of coping strategies. Dispositional measures such as pain catastrophizing, trait anxiety, dispositional mindfulness and impulsivity were also assessed. T-tests and linear mixed models were performed. Results: Participants from the control group significantly decreased their MVC across time and showed a trend towards a decrease in exercise tolerance over time, which was not the case for the experimental group. For both groups, pain unpleasantness and effort were perceived higher during the second modified Sorensen test. Analyses revealed neither significant effect of time nor group on pain intensity and the use of coping strategies. Discussion: The results highlight the value of involving individuals with primary chronic pain in mindfulness-based interventions to improve adaptations to effort while targeting referred pain. Larger samples and controlling for individuals’ functional status appear necessary for further research

Antiviral responses of human Leydig cells to mumps virus infection or poly I:C stimulation

International audienceBACKGROUND: The immuno-privileged status of the testis is essential to the maintenance of its functions, and innate immunity is likely to play a key role in limiting harmful viral infections, as demonstrated in the rat. In men mumps virus infects Leydig cells and has deleterious effects on testosterone production and spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to test whether mumps virus infection of isolated human Leydig cells was associated with an inhibition of their innate antiviral defences. METHODS: Leydig cell production of mRNA and protein for interferons (IFNs) and of three antiviral proteins-2'5' oligoadenylate synthetase (2'5'OAS), double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) and MxA-was investigated, in the absence or presence of mumps virus or viral stimuli including poly I:C, a mimetic of RNA viruses replication product. RESULTS: Stimulated or not, human Leydig cells appeared unable to produce routinely detectable IFNs alpha, beta and gamma. Although the level of PKR remained unchanged after stimulation, the expression of 2'5'OAS and MxA was enhanced following either mumps virus or poly I:C exposure (P < 0.05 versus control). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results demonstrate that mumps virus replication in human Leydig cells is not associated with a specific inhibition of IFNs or 2'5'OAS, MxA and PKR production and that these cells display relatively weak endogenous antiviral abilities, as opposed to their rat counterparts

Comparing correction methods of RCM outputs for improving crop impact projections in the Iberian Peninsula for 21st century

Assessment of climate change impacts on crops in regions of complex orography such as the Iberian Peninsula (IP) requires climate model output which is able to describe accurately the observed climate. The high resolution of output provided by Regional Climate Models (RCMs) is expected to be a suitable tool to describe regional and local climatic features, although their simulation results may still present biases. For these reasons, we compared several post-processing methods to correct or reduce the biases of RCM simulations from the ENSEMBLES project for the IP. The bias-corrected datasets were also evaluated in terms of their applicability and consequences in improving the results of a crop model to simulate maize growth and development at two IP locations, using this crop as a reference for summer cropping systems in the region. The use of bias-corrected climate runs improved crop phenology and yield simulation overall and reduced the inter-model variability and thus the uncertainty. The number of observational stations underlying each reference observational dataset used to correct the bias affected the correction performance. Although no single technique showed to be the best one, some methods proved to be more adequate for small initial biases, while others were useful when initial biases were so large as to prevent data application for impact studies. An initial evaluation of the climate data, the bias correction/reduction method and the consequences for impact assessment would be needed to design the most robust, reduced uncertainty ensemble for a specific combination of location, crop, and crop management

Prox2 and Runx3 vagal sensory neurons regulate esophageal motility

Vagal sensory neurons monitor mechanical and chemical stimuli in the gastrointestinal tract. Major efforts are underway to assign physiological functions to the many distinct subtypes of vagal sensory neurons. Here, we use genetically guided anatomical tracing, optogenetics, and electrophysiology to identify and characterize vagal sensory neuron subtypes expressing Prox2 and Runx3 in mice. We show that three of these neuronal subtypes innervate the esophagus and stomach in regionalized patterns, where they form intraganglionic laminar endings. Electrophysiological analysis revealed that they are low-threshold mechanoreceptors but possess different adaptation properties. Lastly, genetic ablation of Prox2 and Runx3 neurons demonstrated their essential roles for esophageal peristalsis in freely behaving mice. Our work defines the identity and function of the vagal neurons that provide mechanosensory feedback from the esophagus to the brain and could lead to better understanding and treatment of esophageal motility disorders

What do you mean, ‘megafire’?

BACKGROUND : ‘Megafire’ is an emerging concept commonly used to describe fires that are extreme in terms of size, behaviour, and/or impacts, but the term’s meaning remains ambiguous. APPROACH : We sought to resolve ambiguity surrounding the meaning of ‘megafire’ by conducting a structured review of the use and definition of the term in several languages in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. We collated definitions and descriptions of megafire and identified criteria frequently invoked to define megafire. We recorded the size and location of megafires and mapped them to reveal global variation in the size of fires described as megafires. RESULTS : We identified 109 studies that define the term ‘megafire’ or identify a megafire, with the term first appearing in the peer-reviewed literature in 2005. Seventy-one (~65%) of these studies attempted to describe or define the term. There was considerable variability in the criteria used to define megafire, although definitions of megafire based on fire size were most common. Megafire size thresholds varied geographically from > 100–100,000 ha, with fires > 10,000 ha the most common size threshold (41%, 18/44 studies). Definitions of megafire were most common from studies led by authors from North America (52%, 37/71). We recorded 137 instances from 84 studies where fires were reported as megafires, the vast majority (94%, 129/137) of which exceed 10,000 ha in size. Megafires occurred in a range of biomes, but were most frequently described in forested biomes (112/137, 82%), and usually described single ignition fires (59% 81/137). CONCLUSION : As Earth’s climate and ecosystems change, it is important that scientists can communicate trends in the occurrence of larger and more extreme fires with clarity. To overcome ambiguity, we suggest a definition of megafire as fires > 10,000 ha arising from single or multiple related ignition events. We introduce two additional terms – gigafire (> 100,000 ha) and terafire (> 1,000,000 ha) – for fires of an even larger scale than megafires.DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: A list of the references from which the data were extracted can be found in the Appendix A: Data sources. The data used in this study are openly available at zenodo.org: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6252145.Threatened Species Recovery Hub; NSW Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub; Australian Wildlife Society; World Wildlife Fund.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/gebZoology and Entomolog