The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

First Scandinavian Protocol for Controlled Donation After Circulatory Death Using Normothermic Regional Perfusion

Background. Donation after circulatory death (DCD) can increase the pool of available organs for transplantation. This pilot study evaluates the implementation of a controlled DCD (cDCD) protocol using normothermic regional perfusion in Norway. Methods. Patients aged 16 to 60 years that are in coma with documented devastating brain injury in need of mechanical ventilation, who would most likely attain cardiac arrest within 60 minutes after extubation, were eligible. With the acceptance from the next of kin and their wish for organ donation, life support was withdrawn and cardiac arrest observed. After a 5-minute no-touch period, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for post mortem regional normothermic regional perfusion was established. Cerebral and cardiac reperfusion was prevented by an aortic occlusion catheter. Measured glomerular filtration rates 1 year postengraftment were compared between cDCD grafts and age-matched grafts donated after brain death (DBD). Results. Eight cDCD were performed from 2014 to 2015. Circulation ceased median 12 (range, 6-24) minutes after withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Fourteen kidneys and 2 livers were retrieved and subsequently transplanted. Functional warm ischemic time was 26 (20-51) minutes. Regional perfusion was applied for 97 minutes (54-106 minutes). Measured glomerular filtration rate 1 year postengraftment was not significantly different between cDCD and donation after brain death organs, 75 (65-76) vs 60 (37-112) mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (P = 0.23). No complications have been observed in the 2 cDCD livers. Conclusion. A protocol for cDCD is successfully established in Norway. Excellent transplant outcomes have encouraged us to continue this work addressing the shortage of organs for transplantation

Real Time 3D Observations of Portland Cement Carbonation at CO2 Storage Conditions

International audienceDepleted oil reservoirs are considered a viable solution to the global challenge of CO2 storage. A key concern is whether the wells can be suitably sealed with cement to hinder the escape of CO2. Under reservoir conditions, CO2 is in its supercritical state, and the high pressures and temperatures involved make real-time microscopic observations of cement degradation experimentally challenging. Here, we present an in situ 3D dynamic X-ray micro computed tomography (mu-CT) study of well cement carbonation at realistic reservoir stress, pore-pressure, and temperature conditions. The high-resolution time-lapse 3D images allow monitoring the progress of reaction fronts in Portland cement, including density changes, sample deformation, and mineral precipitation and dissolution. By switching between flow and nonflow conditions of CO2-saturated water through cement, we were able to delineate regimes dominated by calcium carbonate precipitation and dissolution. For the first time, we demonstrate experimentally the impact of the flow history on CO2 leakage risk for cement plugging. In-situ mu-CT experiments combined with geochemical modeling provide unique insight into the interactions between CO2 and cement, potentially helping in assessing the risks of CO(2 )storage in geological reservoirs

Arctic Altmetrics: Alternative Perspectives on the Impact of Arctic Research. A Working Paper

<p>There exist a significant number of information sources, apart from the scientific literature, with which to assess the social impact (not to be confused with “societal impact”) of the findings produced by Arctic researchers and institutions. Various policy documents, online news and media publications, white papers, tweets, and Facebook posts provide additional data points to help assess the reach and potential impact of publicly funded research, including Arctic research. </p><p>In this working paper, we provide some alternative perspectives of the way one could view the impact being made by Arctic-related science.</p

International Arctic Research: Analyzing Global Funding Trends. A Pilot Report

<p>This pilot analysis is the result of an exploratory collaboration between the UArctic Science & Research Analytics Task Force and Digital Science's international research teams. The aim was to assess the global funding landscape around Arctic-related research for the decade spanning 2006 to 2015 using the funding data from the Dimensions dataset, which includes information from over 200 funders on more than 2,500,000 projects with funding totalling $1 trillion+ (in US Dollars). </p><p>This project is the first ever attempt to create a comprehensive view of global Arctic research funding using a dataset of such magnitude.</p

First-Principles Atomic-Scale Study of Superlow Friction

Chapter 1