The Effect of Emotion on Verbal Recall in Traumatic Brain Injury

Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have impairments in identifying emotion in social and pragmatic communication (Ben-David, van Lieshout, & Leszcz, 2011). These deficits include difficulty with correctly matching emotion in facial expressions (Watts & Douglas, 2006), interpreting prosody of speech (Dimoska, McDonald, Pell, Tate, & James, 2010), retrieving words (Hough, 2008) and determining the perspectives of other individuals using theory of mind (McDonald & Flanagan, 2004). However, little research has focused on the processing of emotional content in verbal recall. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of stimulus emotional content on the ability of individuals with TBI to recall words from lists and content units from paragraphs. Results from the study have clinical significance because the tasks may serve as appraisal instruments for determining the level of emotional processing impairment associated with traumatic brain injury and document the importance of emotional content in selecting stimuli for treatment intervention

The actin binding proteins cortactin and HS1 are dispensable for platelet actin nodule and megakaryocyte podosome formation

A dynamic, properly organised actin cytoskeleton is critical for the production and haemostatic function of platelets. The Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) and Actin-Related Proteins 2 & 3 Complex (Arp2/3 complex) are critical mediators of actin polymerisation and organisation in many cell types. In platelets and megakaryocytes, these proteins have been shown to be important for proper platelet production and function. The cortactin family of proteins (Cttn & HS1) are known to regulate WASp-Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerisation in other cell types and so here we address the role of these proteins in platelets using knockout mouse models. We generated mice lacking Cttn and HS1 in the megakaryocyte/platelet lineage. These mice had normal platelet production, with platelet number, size and surface receptor profile comparable to controls. Platelet function was also unaffected by loss of Cttn/HS1 with no differences observed in a range of platelet function assays including aggregation, secretion, spreading, clot retraction or tyrosine phosphorylation. No effect on tail bleeding time or in thrombosis models was observed. In addition, platelet actin nodules, and megakaryocyte podosomes, actin-based structures known to be dependent on WASp and the Arp2/3 complex, formed normally. We conclude that despite the importance of WASp and the Arp2/3 complex in regulating F-actin dynamics in many cells types, the role of cortactin in their regulation appears to be fulfilled by other proteins in platelets

Manipulating nanoscale structure to control functionality in printed organic photovoltaic, transistor and bioelectronic devices.

Printed electronics is simultaneously one of the most intensely studied emerging research areas in science and technology and one of the fastest growing commercial markets in the world today. For the past decade the potential for organic electronic (OE) materials to revolutionize this printed electronics space has been widely promoted. Such conviction in the potential of these carbon-based semiconducting materials arises from their ability to be dissolved in solution, and thus the exciting possibility of simply printing a range of multifunctional devices onto flexible substrates at high speeds for very low cost using standard roll-to-roll printing techniques. However, the transition from promising laboratory innovations to large scale prototypes requires precise control of nanoscale material and device structure across large areas during printing fabrication. Maintaining this nanoscale material control during printing presents a significant new challenge that demands the coupling of OE materials and devices with clever nanoscience fabrication approaches that are adapted to the limited thermodynamic levers available. In this review we present an update on the strategies and capabilities that are required in order to manipulate the nanoscale structure of large area printed organic photovoltaic (OPV), transistor and bioelectronics devices in order to control their device functionality. This discussion covers a range of efforts to manipulate the electroactive ink materials and their nanostructured assembly into devices, and also device processing strategies to tune the nanoscale material properties and assembly routes through printing fabrication. The review finishes by highlighting progress in printed OE devices that provide a feedback loop between laboratory nanoscience innovations and their feasibility in adapting to large scale printing fabrication. The ability to control material properties on the nanoscale whilst simultaneously printing functional devices on the square metre scale is prompting innovative developments in the targeted nanoscience required for OPV, transistor and biofunctional devices

Early Timeline of Lean Tissue Mass and Strength Improvements in Trained Men Following a High Volume/Frequency Resistance Training Program

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(4): 1094-1109, 2019. The purpose of this study was to determine the early timeline effect of a systemic high volume/frequency resistance training intervention on lean tissue mass and strength in trained men. Twenty-two healthy resistance trained men, age (32.29 ± 9.75 years), training age (9.40 ± 6.18 years) were placed on a 4-week resistance training (RT) intervention with lean mass and strength assessed pre, mid, and post intervention. RT consisted of 6 exercises: flat smith chest press, pull ups, triceps pushdowns, dumbbell bicep curls, leg press or walking lunges, and standing calf raises, completing 5 sets of 6-12 repetitions, 6 days per week. One-way repeated measure ANOVA’s were conducted to determine the impact of time on lean mass, leg press 1-RM, chest press 1-RM, and absolute/relative resistance training volume. Lean mass increased pre to mid 1.27 ± 1.18 kg, (2.03%), mid to post 1.14 ± 1.16 kg, (1.78%), and pre to post 2.41 ± 1.29 kg, (3.84%). Leg press 1-RM increased pre to mid 16.08 ± 34.90 kg, (6.09%), mid to post 27.53 ± 27.69 kg, (9.82%), and pre to post 43.61 ± 40.13 kg, (16.42%). Chest press 1-RM increased pre to mid 5.77 ± 5.51 kg, (4.45%), mid to post 6.70 ± 5.83 kg, (4.94%), and pre to post 12.47 kg ± 5.83 kg, (9.62%). High volume/frequency resistance training results in significant early improvements in lean mass and strength in trained men

Adult vitamin D deficiency leads to behavioural and brain neurochemical alterations in C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice

Epidemiological evidence suggests that low levels of vitamin D may predispose people to develop depression and cognitive impairment. While rodent studies have demonstrated that prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with altered brain development, there is a lack of research examining adult vitamin D (AVD) deficiency. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of AVD deficiency on behaviour and brain function in the mouse. Ten-week old male C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice were fed a control or vitamin D deficient diet for 10 weeks prior to, and during behavioural testing. We assessed a broad range of behavioural domains, excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in brain tissue, and, in separate groups of mice, locomotor response to d-amphetamine and MK-801. Overall, AVD deficiency resulted in hyperlocomotion in a novel open field and reduced GAD65/67 levels in brain tissue. AVD-deficient BALB/c mice had altered behaviour on the elevated plus maze, altered responses to heat, sound and shock, and decreased levels of glutamate and glutamine, and increased levels of GABA and glycine. By contrast C57BL/6J mice had a more subtle phenotype with no further behavioural changes but significant elevations in serine, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Although the behavioural phenotype of AVD did not seem to model a specific disorder, the overall reduction in GAD65/67 levels associated with AVD deficiency may be relevant to a number of neuropsychiatric conditions. This is the first study to show an association between AVD deficiency and prominent changes in behaviour and brain neurochemistry in the mouse

The effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of cytisine versus varenicline for smoking cessation in an Australian population: a study protocol for a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

Smoking cessation medications are effective but often underutilised because of costs and side effects. Cytisine is a plant-based smoking cessation medication with over 50 years of use in Central and Eastern Europe. While cytisine has been found to be well-tolerated and more effective than nicotine replacement therapy, direct comparison with varenicline have not been conducted. This study evaluates the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of cytisine compared with varenicline.Two arm, parallel group, randomised, non-inferiority trial, with allocation concealment and blinded outcome assessment.Australian population-based study.Adult daily smokers (N=1266) interested in quitting will be recruited through advertisements and Quitline telephone-based cessation support services.Eligible participants will be randomised (1:1 ratio) to receive either cytisine capsules (25-day supply) or varenicline tablets (12-week supply), prescribed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended dosing regimen. The medication will be mailed to each participant's nominated residential address. All participants will also be offered standard Quitline behavioural support (up to six 10-12 minute sessions).Assessments will be undertaken by telephone at baseline, 4- and 7-months post-randomisation. Participants will also be contacted twice (two and four weeks post-randomisation) to ascertain adverse events, treatment adherence and smoking status. The primary outcome will be self-reported 6-month continuous abstinence from smoking, verified by carbon monoxide at 7-month follow-up. We will also evaluate the relative safety and cost-effectiveness of cytisine compared with varenicline. Secondary outcomes will include self-reported continuous and 7-day point prevalence abstinence and cigarette consumption at each follow-up interview.If cytisine is as effective as varenicline, its lower cost and natural plant-based composition may make it an acceptable and affordable smoking cessation medication that could save millions of lives worldwide

Can seafloor voltage cables be used to study large-scale circulation? An investigation in the Pacific Ocean

Marine electromagnetic (EM) signals largely depend on three factors: flow velocity, Earth's main magnetic field, and seawater's electrical conductivity (which depends on the local temperature and salinity). Because of this, there has been recent interest in using marine EM signals to monitor and study ocean circulation. Our study utilizes voltage data from retired seafloor telecommunication cables in the Pacific Ocean to examine whether such cables could be used to monitor circulation velocity or transport on large oceanic scales. We process the cable data to isolate the seasonal and monthly variations and then evaluate the correlation between the processed data and numerical predictions of the electric field induced by an estimate of ocean circulation. We find that the correlation between cable voltage data and numerical predictions strongly depends on both the strength and coherence of the model velocities flowing across the cable, the local EM environment, as well as the length of the cable. The cable within the Kuroshio Current had good correlation between data and predictions, whereas two of the cables in the Eastern Pacific Gyre &ndash; a region with both low flow speeds and interfering velocity directions across the cable &ndash; did not have any clear correlation between data and predictions. Meanwhile, a third cable also located in the Eastern Pacific Gyre showed good correlation between data and predictions &ndash; although the cable is very long and the speeds were low, it was located in a region of coherent flow velocity across the cable. While much improvement is needed before utilizing seafloor voltage cables to study and monitor oceanic circulation across wide regions, we believe that with additional work, the answer to the question of whether or not seafloor voltage cables can be used to study large-scale circulation may eventually be yes. &nbsp;</p

Direct Nano-Imaging of Light-Matter Interactions in Nanoscale Excitonic Emitters

Strong light-matter interactions in localized nano-emitters when placed near metallic mirrors have been widely reported via spectroscopic studies in the optical far-field. Here, we report a near-field nano-spectroscopic study of the localized nanoscale emitters on a flat Au substrate. We observe strong-coupling of the excitonic dipoles in quasi 2-dimensional CdSe/CdxZnS1-xS nanoplatelets with gap mode plasmons formed between the Au tip and substrate. We also observe directional propagation on the Au substrate of surface plasmon polaritons launched from the excitons of the nanoplatelets as wave-like fringe patterns in the near-field photoluminescence maps. These fringe patterns were confirmed via extensive electromagnetic wave simulations to be standing-waves formed between the tip and the emitter on the substrate plane. We further report that both light confinement and the in-plane emission can be engineered by tuning the surrounding dielectric environment of the nanoplatelets. Our results lead to renewed understanding of in-plane, near-field electromagnetic signal transduction from the localized nano-emitters with profound implications in nano and quantum photonics as well as resonant optoelectronics.Comment: manuscript + supporting informatio

Porcine and Canine von Willebrand Factor and von Willebrand Disease: Hemostasis, Thrombosis, and Atherosclerosis Studies

Use of animal models of inherited and induced von Willebrand factor (VWF) deficiency continues to advance the knowledge of VWF-related diseases: von Willebrand disease (VWD), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and coronary artery thrombosis. First, in humans, pigs, and dogs, VWF is essential for normal hemostasis; without VWF bleeding events are severe and can be fatal. Second, the ADAMTS13 cleavage site is preserved in all three species suggesting all use this mechanism for normal VWF multimer processing and that all are susceptible to TTP when ADAMTS13 function is reduced. Third, while the role of VWF in atherogenesis is debated, arterial thrombosis complicating atherosclerosis appears to be VWF-dependent. The differences in the VWF gene and protein between humans, pigs, and dogs are relatively few but important to consider in the design of VWF-focused experiments. These homologies and differences are reviewed in detail and their implications for research projects are discussed. The current status of porcine and canine VWD are also reviewed as well as their potential role in future studies of VWF-related disorders of hemostasis and thrombosis