Resting state connectivity between medial temporal lobe regions and intrinsic cortical networks predicts performance in a path integration task

Humans differ in their individual navigational performance, in part because successful navigation relies on several diverse abilities. One such navigational capability is path integration, the updating of position and orientation during movement, typically in a sparse, landmark-free environment. This study examined the relationship between path integration abilities and functional connectivity to several canonical intrinsic brain networks. Intrinsic networks within the brain reflect past inputs and communication as well as structural architecture. Individual differences in intrinsic connectivity have been observed for common networks, suggesting that these networks can inform our understanding of individual spatial abilities. Here, we examined individual differences in intrinsic connectivity using resting state magnetic resonance imaging (rsMRI). We tested path integration ability using a loop closure task, in which participants viewed a single video of movement in a circle trajectory in a sparse environment, and then indicated whether the video ended in the same location in which it started. To examine intrinsic brain networks, participants underwent a resting state scan. We found that better performance in the loop task was associated with increased connectivity during rest between the central executive network (CEN) and posterior hippocampus, parahippocampal cortex (PHC) and entorhinal cortex. We also found that connectivity between PHC and the default mode network (DMN) during rest was associated with better loop closure performance. The results indicate that interactions between medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions and intrinsic networks that involve prefrontal cortex (PFC) are important for path integration and navigation.This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR MURI N00014-10-1-0936 and MURI N00014-16-1-2832). fMRI scanning was completed at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging (Charlestown, MA, USA), which receives support from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR P41RR14075). (ONR MURI N00014-10-1-0936 - Office of Naval Research; MURI N00014-16-1-2832 - Office of Naval Research; NCRR P41RR14075 - National Center for Research Resources)Published versio

Stringent upper limit on the direct 3α decay of the Hoyle state in 12C

We investigate an implication of the most recent observation of a second Jπ=2+ state in 12C, which was measured using the 12C(γ,α)8Be(g.s.) reaction. In addition to the dissociation of 12C to an α-particle and 8Be in its ground state, a small fraction of events (2%) were identified as direct decays and decays to excited states in 8Be. This allowed a limit on the direct 3α partial decay width to be determined as Γ3α<32(4) keV. Since this 2+ state is predicted by all theoretical models to be a collective excitation of the Hoyle state, the 3α partial width of the Hoyle state is calculable from the ratio of 3α decay penetrabilities of the Hoyle and 2+ states. This was calculated by using the semiclassical Wenzel-Kramers-Brillouin approach and we deduce a stringent upper limit for the direct decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state of Γ3α Γ <5.7×10−6, over an order of magnitude lower than previously reported. This result places the direct measurement of this rare decay mode beyond current experimental capabilities

Mechanisms of Memory Enhancement

The ongoing quest for memory enhancement is one that grows necessary as the global population increasingly ages. The extraordinary progress that has been made in the past few decades elucidating the underlying mechanisms of how long-term memories are formed has provided insight into how memories might also be enhanced. Capitalizing on this knowledge, it has been postulated that targeting many of the same mechanisms, including CREB activation, AMPA/ NMDA receptor trafficking, neuromodulation (e.g. via dopamine, adrenaline, cortisol or acetylcholine) and metabolic processes (e.g. via glucose and insulin) may all lead to the enhancement of memory. These and other mechanisms and/or approaches have been tested via genetic or pharmacological methods in animal models, and several have been investigated in humans as well. In addition, a number of behavioral methods, including exercise and reconsolidation, may also serve to strengthen and enhance memories. By capitalizing on this knowledge and continuing to investigate these promising avenues, memory enhancement may indeed be achieved in the future

Open science infrastructures speak about sustainability challenges

Many open science infrastructures were initially developed using one-off project funds. Since inception, usage has often grown exponentially, and researchers across the globe have come to depend on them. What options do these infrastructures have when the projects funds run out and when infrastructure ages and needs replacing? What happens when demand exceeds the capacity of infrastructure to meet the needs of researchers? How do infrastructures handle the need for new governance and growing staffing structures to provide oversight, undertake development and provide services? What does it really mean to build sustainable infrastructure? In this panel session, three leaders of important international open science infrastructures from the SCOSS family (Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services) reflect on their mission, experiences and challenges with operating and sustaining their services. Each will tell¬¬ their story about establishing, sustaining and scaling their business, finances and infrastructure to provide no cost and open access to data and services which meet the emerging and continuing needs of a geographically dispersed and research discipline diverse researchers. Each infrastructure will reflect on how they apply sustainability principles of the Principles of Open Scholarly Infrastructure – manage time limited project funds; generate a surplus beyond operating costs; develop a contingency fund; develop mission critical revenue; and be based on service provision and not data availability. Each organisation will comment on the role of researchers, research organisations and their libraries and governments in building and maintaining sustainable open infrastructures. Questions will be taken from the audience and the panel chair will moderate a lively discussion. In summary, whilst gaining a better understanding of what it takes to maintain an open infrastructure, audience members are asked to consider how best to fund the open science infrastructures they use (whether directly or via collaborations such as SCOSS), and take this back to their institution or government for consideration

Cellular and Molecular Responses Unique to Major Injury Are Dispensable for Planarian Regeneration

The fundamental requirements for regeneration are poorly understood. Planarians can robustly regenerate all tissues after injury, involving stem cells, positional information, and a set of cellular and molecular responses collectively called the “missing tissue” or “regenerative” response. follistatin, which encodes an extracellular Activin inhibitor, is required for the missing tissue response after head amputation and for subsequent regeneration. We found that follistatin is required for the missing tissue response regardless of the wound context, but causes regeneration failure only after head amputation. This head regeneration failure involves follistatin-mediated regulation of Wnt signaling at wounds and is not a consequence of a diminished missing tissue response. All tested contexts of regeneration, including head regeneration, could occur with a defective missing tissue response, but at a slower pace. Our findings suggest that major cellular and molecular programs induced specifically by large injuries function to accelerate regeneration but are dispensable for regeneration itself. In regenerative organisms, a large array of cellular responses are triggered at major injuries. However, which of these responses are fundamentally required for regeneration to occur remains unknown. Tewari et al. find that hallmark cellular and molecular responses induced uniquely at large injuries are dispensable for planarian regeneration. Keywords: regeneration; wound response; WnT signaling; TGF-β signaling; planarians; follistatinNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01GM080639

Albaniens langer Weg in die Europäische Union: Innenpolitischer Machtkampf blockiert zentrale Reformen

Im Jahr 2009 hat Albanien sein Beitrittsgesuch bei der Europäischen Union (EU) eingereicht. Unterstützt von der breiten Bevölkerungsmehrheit deklarieren alle politisch bedeutsamen Kräfte des Landes den EU-Beitritt als oberstes Politikziel. Dennoch macht Albanien nur geringe Fortschritte in Richtung einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung und Konsolidierung seiner Demokratie. Eine der wichtigsten Ursachen hierfür ist die starke Polarisierung zwischen den beiden großen Parteien, der Demokratischen Partei (DP) und der Sozialistischen Partei (SP), und die stark personalisierte Fehde ihrer beiden Vorsitzenden, Salih Berisha und Edi Rama. Das bipolare politische System behindert ein kooperatives Miteinander und somit ein rasches Fortkommen im Reformprozess. Der Konflikt reicht weit in die Gesellschaft hinein. Die Medien sind eingebunden in die politische Auseinandersetzung und vertreten mehr oder weniger offen entweder die Interessen der DP oder der SP. Auch die Zivilgesellschaft ist gespalten. Nur wenige Organisationen agieren politisch unabhängig. Die Ursachen für die starke Polarisierung in Albanien liegen vor allem in der politischen Kultur des Landes, das in seiner Geschichte kaum Erfahrungen mit Demokratie gemacht hat. Der ehemalige albanische Diktator Enver Hoxha hatte ab 1944 ein stalinistisch geprägtes, kommunistisches System der totalen Kontrolle und Abschottung nach außen installiert. Die Nachwirkungen dieser Zeit sind bis heute spürbar. In Albanien hat nach 1990 weder ein umfassender Austausch der Elite noch eine ehrliche Aufarbeitung der Vergangenheit stattgefunden. Neben der extremen politischen Polarisierung sind mangelnde Rechtsstaatlichkeit, Korruption, organisierte Kriminalität und ein im europäischen Vergleich kaum konkurrenzfähiges Wirtschaftssystem weitere Hürden Albaniens auf dem Weg in die EU. Die Europäische Kommission hat im Sinne ihres Konditionalitätsansatzes 2010 zwölf Prioritäten benannt, die Albanien vor der Verleihung des Kandidatenstatus bearbeiten soll. Bislang hat es hierbei jedoch kaum Fortschritte gegeben. Für nachhaltigen Wandel ist der politische Wille der albanischen Elite entscheidend; sie muss ihre Machttaktierereien den dringenden Reformen unterordnen. Langfristig kann nur eine europäisch sozialisierte Generation das Land grundlegend reformieren.In 2009 Albania submitted its formal application for European Union (EU) membership. Supported by a broad majority of its citizens, the top politicians of the country vowed to make the achievement of this membership their main political goal. Nevertheless, so far Albania has made little progress in developing and consolidating its democracy effectively. One of the biggest obstacles is the deep polarization between the two major parties - the Democratic Party (DP) and the Socialist Party (SP) - and the strong personal feud between their leaders, Salih Berisha and Edi Rama. This political tension prevents an effective co-operation between the parties and therefore any speedy progress to implement the necessary reforms. But the conflict touches all levels of society. While the media is largely party-political and prone to take sides in the ongoing political power struggle between the SP and DP - either overtly or covertly - the civil society is divided as well and only very few organizations are truly independent. The causes for this strong polarization in Albania can be found in the political culture of the country - which historically has had next to no experience of democracy. The former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha firmly adhered to Stalinist lines, imposing communism and strict isolation from all other countries. The shadows that this era cast are still noticeable today. After 1990, a part of the oligarchical power elite is still in place and the past has not been dealt with honestly. Aside from the extreme political polarization, hurdles to an EU membership that still need to be overcome include the lack of a rule of law, rampant organized crime and corruption, and an economy that is hardly able to compete with those of other EU members. The European Commission has outlined twelve key priorities as identified in the EU 2010 Opinion on the Country’s European Union Membership Application - conditions that Albania still has to meet before it can be accepted as an EU candidate. However, little progress has been made so far. A decisive and long-lasting change can only be brought about through the political willpower of the Albanian elite, which essentially means that their involvement in those power machinations they currently engage in needs to be subjugated in favour of a stronger focus on urgently needed political reform. On a long-term basis, only a European socialized generation can effectively execute fundamental reforms in Albania

A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review: Infidelity, Romantic Jealousy and Intimate Partner Violence against Women.

Infidelity and romantic jealousy (RJ) are commonly cited relational level drivers of intimate partner violence (IPV) but remain undertheorized and underutilized in IPV research and prevention. This global systematic review aims to characterize the existing research on real or suspected infidelity and RJ in relation to IPV and inform future research and programming. We systematically searched 11 databases for peer-reviewed research, published between April 2009 and 2019, that provided data on the prevalence or a measure of association (quantitative), or pathway (qualitative), between real or suspected infidelity or RJ, and IPV. Fifty-one papers from 28 countries were included and the evidence showed a consistent association between real or suspected infidelity, RJ and IPV. Our findings identify three overarching mechanisms and six pathways between infidelity, RJ and IPV. These provide support for prominent theories in the field related to patriarchal culture, threatened masculinities and femininities and a lack of emotional regulation and conflict resolution skills, but not evolutionary theories. Our findings suggest that researchers should use standardized measurement tools that make the distinction between RJ and suspected, confirmed and accusations of infidelity. Policy and programming should aim to transform traditional gender roles, accounting for infidelity and RJ and improving couple's communication and trust

Examining the implementation of Teacher–Child Interaction Training-Universal in public schools

The Teacher–Child Interaction Training-Universal (TCIT-U) is a professional development program for teachers that promotes positive relational interactions and strengthens classroom management. This study examines the implementation of TCIT-U in a public school district to guide future implementation and sustainability. This study uses qualitative methods to examine the implementation of TCIT-U across preschool through second-grade classrooms in a suburban public school district in Illinois, United States. Eight teachers and five coaches participated in focus groups, while three administrators completed interviews. Qualitative data from focus groups and interviews are supplemented by quantitative data on satisfaction, teacher sense of efficacy, teacher observations, and school records. Results demonstrated high levels of acceptability, good feasibility, high satisfaction, and several notable improvements across teachers and students, such as improved teachers\u27 confidence and self-efficacy in managing classrooms. Nevertheless, there were implementation challenges, including timing, competing demands, and district priorities. The results from this study offer guidance for future implementation of TCIT-U as an acceptable, feasible, and universal intervention