Transcription analysis of apple fruit development using cDNA microarrays

The knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying fruit quality traits is fundamental to devise efficient marker-assisted selection strategies and to improve apple breeding. In this study, cDNA microarray technology was used to identify genes whose expression changes during fruit development and maturation thus potentially involved in fruit quality traits. The expression profile of 1,536 transcripts was analysed by microarray hybridisation. A total of 177 genes resulted to be differentially expressed in at least one of the developmental stages considered. Gene ontology annotation was employed to univocally describe gene function, while cluster analysis allowed grouping genes according to their expression profile. An overview of the transcriptional changes and of the metabolic pathways involved in fruit development was obtained. As expected, August and September are the two months where the largest number of differentially expressed genes was observed. In particular, 85 genes resulted to be up-regulated in September. Even though most of the differentially expressed genes are involved in primary metabolism, several other interesting functions were detected and will be presented

Stationary Kolmogorov Solutions of the Smoluchowski Aggregation Equation with a Source Term

In this paper we show how the method of Zakharov transformations may be used to analyze the stationary solutions of the Smoluchowski aggregation equation for arbitrary homogeneous kernel. The resulting massdistributions are of Kolmogorov type in the sense that they carry a constant flux of mass from small masses to large. We derive a ``locality criterion'', expressed in terms of the asymptotic properties of the kernel, that must be satisfied in order for the Kolmogorov spectrum to be an admissiblesolution. Whether a given kernel leads to a gelation transition or not can be determined by computing the mass capacity of the Kolmogorov spectrum. As an example, we compute the exact stationary state for the family of kernels,$K_\zeta(m_1,m_2)=(m_1m_2)^{\zeta/2}$ which includes both gelling and non-gelling cases, reproducing the known solution in the case $\zeta=0$. Surprisingly, the Kolmogorov constant is the same for all kernels in this family.Comment: This article is an expanded version of a talk given at IHP workshop "Dynamics, Growth and Singularities of Continuous Media", Paris July 2003. Updated 01/04/04. Revised version with additional discussion, references added, several typographical errors corrected. Revised version accepted for publication by Phys. Rev.

The conduction pathway of potassium channels is water free under physiological conditions.

Ion conduction through potassium channels is a fundamental process of life. On the basis of crystallographic data, it was originally proposed that potassium ions and water molecules are transported through the selectivity filter in an alternating arrangement, suggesting a "water-mediated" knock-on mechanism. Later on, this view was challenged by results from molecular dynamics simulations that revealed a "direct" knock-on mechanism where ions are in direct contact. Using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance techniques tailored to characterize the interaction between water molecules and the ion channel, we show here that the selectivity filter of a potassium channel is free of water under physiological conditions. Our results are fully consistent with the direct knock-on mechanism of ion conduction but contradict the previously proposed water-mediated knock-on mechanism

Photoconductive switching of a high-voltage spark gap

We have demonstrated photoconductive switching of a gas-filled spark gap. A femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser was focused in a 1 mm spark gap biased at 4.5 kV. There is a clear transition between triggered operation, when only part of the path between the electrodes is ionized, and photoconductive switching, when the entire length of the gap is ionized directly by the laser. The measured standard deviation of the time fluctuations between the rising edge of the transmitted electrical pulse and the laser was less than 15 ps

Cocaine Addiction Treatments to improve Control and reduce Harm (CATCH): new pharmacological treatment options for crack-cocaine dependence in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND: Cocaine, particularly in its base form ('crack'), has become one of the drugs of most concern in the Netherlands, being associated with a wide range of medical, psychiatric and social problems for the individual, and with significant public order consequences for society. Available treatment options for cocaine dependent users are limited, and a substantial part of the cocaine dependent population is not reached by the addiction treatment system. Psychosocial interventions for cocaine dependence generally show modest results, and there are no registered pharmacological treatments to date, despite the wide range of medications tested for this type of dependence. The present study (Cocaine Addiction Treatments to improve Control and reduce Harm; CATCH) investigates the possibilities and problems associated with new pharmacological treatments for crack dependent patients. METHODS/DESIGN: The CATCH-study consists of three separate randomised controlled, open-label, parallel-group feasibility trials, conducted at three separate addiction treatment institutes in the Netherlands. Patients are either new referrals or patients already in treatment. A total of 216 eligible outpatients are randomised using pre-randomisation double-consent design and receive either 12 weeks treatment with oral topiramate (n = 36; Brijder Addiction Treatment, The Hague), oral modafinil (n = 36; Arkin, Amsterdam), or oral dexamphetamine sustained-release (n = 36; Bouman GGZ, Rotterdam) as an add-on to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or receive a 12-week CBT only (controls: n = 3 × 36). Primary outcome in these feasibility trials is retention in the underlying psychosocial treatment (CBT). Secondary outcomes are acceptance and compliance with the study medication, safety, changes in cocaine (and other drug) use, physical and mental health, social functioning, and patient satisfaction. DISCUSSION: To date, the CATCH-study is the first study in the Netherlands that explores new treatment options for crack-cocaine dependence focusing on both abstinence and harm minimisation. It is expected that the study will contribute to the development of new treatments for one of the most problematic substance use disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Netherlands National Trial Register NTR2576 The European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials EudraCT2009-010584-1

Addiction and psychopathology: a multidimensional approach to clinical practice

The etiology of addiction has a long history of clinical and scientific interest, which is characterized by differences in conceptual approach, conflicting data and public controversy. There have been numerous attempts to describe the antecedents and consequences of addiction in theoretical models and by classifying addicts on the basis of personal, pathological and environmental characteristics (Lettieri, Sayers, & Pearson, 1980). Despite these considerable efforts, the insights that emerged from theory and empirical research have not led to a clear understanding of the etiology and the course of addiction. Perhaps evenly important, the limited clinical applicability of theory and research has led practitioners in the addiction field to rely on their private theories about the nature of addiction and the significance of co-existent problems in the treatment of addiction. Complicating the issue, addiction is subject to considerable moral debate, which includes opposing views on the types of drugs that are considered acceptable, the acceptability of drug use in general, law enforcement strategies, and treatment methods. Perhaps the most important trend that emerges from the past decades of model-development and research in the addiction field, is that scientist of various disciplines now agree that addiction is a heterogeneous concept in terms of its antecedents, concomitants, and consequences. Simply acknowledging the multifaceted complexity of addiction however, does itself not necessarily lead to a better understanding of the phenomenon, nor does it provide a guidance for clinical decisions. To expand our views on addiction, it has become extremely important to examine the interactions between the various components of the full addiction complex in detaiL Of particular importance is the question whether addiction constitutes a complex of highly interdependent problem areas that together form one underlying "addiction-dimension", or whether separate dimensions exist that are relatively independent from each other. Perhaps the most intriguing issue in this question is the relationship between substance abuse and psychopathology, as psychiatric disorders are often assumed to antedate and precipitate the onset and continuation of substance abuse. Clearly, the issue of dimensionality and the specific role of psychopathology in addiction is not only important from a theoretical point of view, but also bears relevance to the treatment of addiction. While the unidimensional concept of the full addiction complex would argue for a treatment approach that primarily focuses on reduction of the actual substance use, under the assumption that this will more or less automatically lead to reduction of addiction-related problems in other areas, the multidimensional concept of addiction would argue for focused attention on each of the specific problem areas, including psychiatric symptomatology, independently. This introductory chapter describes the context and perspective of the dissertation. First, the major models and research findings in the general field of addiction are briefly summarized as background of the study. Second, issues associated with dimensionality conceptualizations of addiction are discussed. Third, the relationship between psychopathology and addiction is examined. Fourth, the significance of psychopathology in the treatment of addiction is discussed. At the end of the chapter, the methodology and research questions on which this dissertation is based are described

English Language Proficiency Achievement in 180 Hours Among 2006 Batch at Universitas Advent Indonesia

Nowadays, English is an official language around the world. Many people have problem forcommunicating because they do not know English. To exceed the problem, it is important tostudy English more and take Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) because it canhelp them to develop their English ability.The objective of this study is to contribute to this discussion by examining: If there is anysignificant difference in achievement of English language proficiency of the participantsafter taking English for 180 hours during six semesters.The participants were 63 young adult, they were 2006 batch enrolled in Universitas AdventIndonesia. The participants of this study have taken English Entrance Exam (E3in) in the firstsemester and English Exit Exam (E3exit) in the 6th semester.This research obtained the data as follows: X (E3in) as pre-test=63, Y (E3exit) as post-test=63.The means of pre-test was 353.65 with mean standard deviation was 24.488 and with meanstandard error was 3.085. And after the treatments, the mean of post-test was 443.83 with meanstandard deviation was 32.001 and with mean standard error was 4.032. The mean gain scorebetween the two tests was 90.17. This result was supported by t-counted result was 2.636 andt-table result was 1.671. It means that t-counted > t-table. Thus, Ha is accepted, that there is asignificant difference of achievement in English language proficiency after taking English for180 hours during six semesters

Homotopy types of stabilizers and orbits of Morse functions on surfaces

Let $M$ be a smooth compact surface, orientable or not, with boundary or without it, $P$ either the real line $R^1$ or the circle $S^1$, and $Diff(M)$ the group of diffeomorphisms of $M$ acting on $C^{\infty}(M,P)$ by the rule $h\cdot f\mapsto f \circ h^{-1}$, where $h\in Diff(M)$ and $f \in C^{\infty}(M,P)$. Let $f:M \to P$ be a Morse function and $O(f)$ be the orbit of $f$ under this action. We prove that $\pi_k O(f)=\pi_k M$ for $k\geq 3$, and $\pi_2 O(f)=0$ except for few cases. In particular, $O(f)$ is aspherical, provided so is $M$. Moreover, $\pi_1 O(f)$ is an extension of a finitely generated free abelian group with a (finite) subgroup of the group of automorphisms of the Reeb graph of $f$. We also give a complete proof of the fact that the orbit $O(f)$ is tame Frechet submanifold of $C^{\infty}(M,P)$ of finite codimension, and that the projection $Diff(M) \to O(f)$ is a principal locally trivial $S(f)$-fibration.Comment: 49 pages, 8 figures. This version includes the proof of the fact that the orbits of a finite codimension of tame action of tame Lie group on tame Frechet manifold is a tame Frechet manifold itsel