Shannon entropy of brain functional complex networks under the influence of the psychedelic Ayahuasca

The entropic brain hypothesis holds that the key facts concerning psychedelics are partially explained in terms of increased entropy of the brain's functional connectivity. Ayahuasca is a psychedelic beverage of Amazonian indigenous origin with legal status in Brazil in religious and scientific settings. In this context, we use tools and concepts from the theory of complex networks to analyze resting state fMRI data of the brains of human subjects under two distinct conditions: (i) under ordinary waking state and (ii) in an altered state of consciousness induced by ingestion of Ayahuasca. We report an increase in the Shannon entropy of the degree distribution of the networks subsequent to Ayahuasca ingestion. We also find increased local and decreased global network integration. Our results are broadly consistent with the entropic brain hypothesis. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of descriptions of "mind-expansion" frequently seen in self-reports of users of psychedelic drugs.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figure

Caveolin-1 influences human influenza A virus (H1N1) multiplication in cell culture

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The threat of recurring influenza pandemics caused by new viral strains and the occurrence of escape mutants necessitate the search for potent therapeutic targets. The dependence of viruses on cellular factors provides a weak-spot in the viral multiplication strategy and a means to interfere with viral multiplication.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using a motif-based search strategy for antiviral targets we identified caveolin-1 (Cav-1) as a putative cellular interaction partner of human influenza A viruses, including the pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) strains of swine origin circulating from spring 2009 on. The influence of Cav-1 on human influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus replication was determined in inhibition and competition experiments. RNAi-mediated Cav-1 knock-down as well as transfection of a dominant-negative Cav-1 mutant results in a decrease in virus titre in infected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK), a cell line commonly used in basic influenza research as well as in virus vaccine production. To understand the molecular basis of the phenomenon we focussed on the putative caveolin-1 binding domain (CBD) located in the lumenal, juxtamembranal portion of the M2 matrix protein which has been identified in the motif-based search. Pull-down assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that caveolin-1 binds to M2. The data suggest, that Cav-1 modulates influenza virus A replication presumably based on M2/Cav-1 interaction.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>As Cav-1 is involved in the human influenza A virus life cycle, the multifunctional protein and its interaction with M2 protein of human influenza A viruses represent a promising starting point for the search for antiviral agents.</p

Design and Characterization of a Prototype Stripline Beam Position Monitor for the Clic Drive Beam*

The prototype of a stripline Beam Position Monitor (BPM) with its associated readout electronics is under development at CERN, in collaboration with SLAC, LAPP and IFIC. The anticipated position resolution and accuracy are expected to be below 2μm and 20μm respectively for operation of the BPM in the CLIC drive beam (DB) linac. This paper describes the particular CLIC DB conditions with respect to the beam position monitoring, presents the measurement concept, and summarizes electromagnetic simulations and RF measurements performed on the prototype

Variability in lutetium-177 SPECT quantification between different state-of-the-art SPECT/CT systems

Background: Quantitative SPECT imaging in targeted radionuclide therapy with lutetium-177 holds great potential for individualized treatment based on dose assessment. The establishment of dose-effect relations requires a standardized method for SPECT quantification. The purpose of this multi-center study is to evaluate quantitative accuracy and inter-system variations of different SPECT/CT systems with corresponding commercially available quantitative reconstruction algorithms. This is an important step towards a vendor-independent standard for quantitative lutetium-177 SPECT. Methods: Four state-of-the-art SPECT/CT systems were included: Discovery™ NM/CT 670Pro (GE Healthcare), Symbia Intevo™, and two Symbia™ T16 (Siemens Healthineers). Quantitative accuracy and inter-system variations were evaluated by repeatedly scanning a cylindrical phantom with 6 spherical inserts (0.5 – 113 ml). A sphere-to-background activity concentration ratio of 10:1 was used. Acquisition settings were standardized: medium energy collimator, body contour trajectory, photon energy window of 208 keV (± 10%), adjacent 20% lower scatter window, 2 × 64 projections, 128 × 128 matrix size, and 40 s projection time. Reconstructions were performed using GE Evolution with Q.Metrix™, Siemens xSPECT Quant™, Siemens Broad Quantification™ or Siemens Flash3D™ algorithms using vendor recommended settings. In addition, projection data were reconstructed using Hermes SUV SPECT™ with standardized reconstruction settings to obtain a vendor-neutral quantitative reconstruction for all systems. Volumes of interest (VOI) for the spheres were obtained by applying a 50% threshold of the sphere maximum voxel value corrected for background activity. For each sphere, the mean and maximum recovery coefficient (RCmean and RCmax) of three repeated measurements was calculated, defined as the imaged activity concentration divided by the actual activity concentration. Inter-system variations were defined as the range of RC over all systems. Re

USO DA IMPEDÂNCIA NA DETERMINAÇÃO DO VOLUME GLOBULAR DAS ESPÉCIES FELINA, EQUINA E BOVINA

The aim of this study was to determinate the correlation of packed cell volume (PCV) between cats, horses and cows with two different methods: by impedance and by the Strumia method. For this purpose, blood samples from 70 cats, 80 horses and 77 cows were analyzed. The PCV data, in both methods, were determined at 20 – 120 minutes after blood collection.  The PCV data obtained by Strumia and impedance methods (r = 0.98 cats, r = 0.98 horses and r = 0.96 cows) were extremely significant (p < 0.0001) for the three species. In conclusion, the PCV data determined by impedance was reliable and it is recommended for clinical use in feline, equine and bovine species. Objetivou-se determinar a correlação entre os valores de volume globular (VG) das espécies felina, equina e bovina com dois diferentes métodos: por impedância e pelo método de Strumia. Para tal, amostras de sangue de 70 gatos, 80 cavalos e 77 bois foram analisadas. Os valores de VG, em ambos os métodos, foram obtidos num período compreendido entre 20 - 120 minutos após a colheita. Os valores de VG obtidos pelos métodos de Strumia e impedância apresentaram correlação (r = 0,98 gatos, r = 0,98 cavalos e r = 0,96 bois) extremamente significante (p < 0,001) para as três espécies. Concluiu-se que o valor do VG determinado por impedância revelou-se confiável e é recomendado para o uso clínico nas espécies felina, equina e bovina

Near-IR Atlas of S0-Sa galaxies (NIRS0S)

An atlas of Ks-band images of 206 early-type galaxies is presented, including 160 S0-S0/a galaxies, 12 ellipticals, and 33 Sa galaxies. A majority of the Atlas galaxies belong to a magnitude-limited (mB<12.5 mag) sample of 185 NIRS0S (Near-IR S0 galaxy Survey) galaxies. To assure that mis-classified S0s are not omitted, 25 ellipticals from RC3 classified as S0s in the Carnegie Atlas were included in the sample. The images are 2-3 mag deeper than 2MASS images. Both visual and photometric classifications are made. Special attention is paid to the classification of lenses, coded in a systematic manner. A new lens-type, called a 'barlens', is introduced. Also, boxy/peanut/x-shaped structures are identified in many barred galaxies, even-though the galaxies are not seen in edge-on view, indicating that vertical thickening is not enough to explain them. Multiple lenses appear in 25% of the Atlas galaxies, which is a challenge to the hierarchical evolutionary picture of galaxies. Such models need to explain how the lenses were formed and survived in multiple merger events that galaxies may have suffered during their lifetimes. Following the early suggestion by van den Bergh, candidates of S0c galaxies are shown, which galaxies are expected to be former Sc-type spirals stripped out of gas.Comment: 67 pages (include 16 figures and 6 tables). Accepted to MNRAS 2011 June 1

[18F]mFBG PET-CT for detection and localisation of neuroblastoma: a prospective pilot study

Purpose Meta-[F-18]fluorobenzylguanidine ([F-18]mFBG) is a positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer that allows for fast and high-resolution imaging of tumours expressing the norepinephrine transporter. This pilot study investigates the feasibility of [F-18]mFBG PET-CT for imaging in neuroblastoma. Methods In a prospective, single-centre study, we recruited children with neuroblastoma, referred for meta-[I-123]iodobenzylguanidine ([I-123]mIBG) scanning, consisting of total body planar scintigraphy in combination with single-photon emission computed tomography-CT (SPECT-CT). Within two weeks of [I-123]mIBG scanning, total body PET-CTs were performed at 1 h and 2 h after injection of [F-18]mFBG (2 MBq/kg). Detected tumour localisations on scan pairs were compared. Soft tissue disease was quantified by number of lesions and skeletal disease by SIOPEN score. Results Twenty paired [I-123]mIBG and [F-18]mFBG scans were performed in 14 patients (median age 4.9 years, n = 13 stage 4 disease and n = 1 stage 4S). [F-18]mFBG injection was well tolerated and no related adverse events occurred in any of the patients. Mean scan time for [F-18]mFBG PET-CT (9.0 min, SD 1.9) was significantly shorter than for [I-123]mIBG scanning (84.5 min, SD 10.5), p < 0.01. Most tumour localisations were detected on the 1 h versus 2 h post-injection [F-18]mFBG PET-CT. Compared to [I-123]mIBG scanning, [F-18]mFBG PET-CT detected a higher, equal, and lower number of soft tissue lesions in 40%, 55%, and 5% of scan pairs, respectively, and a higher, equal, and lower SIOPEN score in 55%, 30%, and 15% of scan pairs, respectively. On average, two more soft tissue lesions and a 6-point higher SIOPEN score were detected per patient on [F-18]mFBG PET-CT compared to [I-123]mIBG scanning. Conclusion Results of this study demonstrate feasibility of [F-18]mFBG PET-CT for neuroblastoma imaging. More neuroblastoma localisations were detected on [F-18]mFBG PET-CT compared to [I-123]mIBG scanning. [F-18]mFBG PET-CT shows promise for future staging and response assessment in neuroblastoma.Analysis and Stochastic

When is the Best Time to Sample Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Ponds for Biodiversity Assessment?

Ponds are sites of high biodiversity and conservation value, yet there is little or no statutory monitoring of them across most of Europe. There are clear and standardized protocols for sampling aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in ponds but the most suitable time(s) to undertake the survey(s) remains poorly specified. This paper examined the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities from 95 ponds within different landuse types over three seasons (spring, summer and autumn) to determine the most appropriate time to undertake sampling to characterise biodiversity. The combined samples from all three seasons provided the most comprehensive record of the aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa recorded within ponds (alpha and gamma diversity). Samples collected during the autumn survey yielded significantly greater macroinvertebrate richness (76% of the total diversity) than either spring or summer surveys. Macroinvertebrate diversity was greatest during autumn in meadow and agricultural ponds but taxon richness among forest and urban ponds did not differ significantly temporally. The autumn survey provided the highest measures of richness for Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Odonata. However, richness of the aquatic insect order Trichoptera was highest in spring and lowest in autumn. The results illustrate that multiple surveys, covering more than one season, provide the most comprehensive representation of macroinvertebrate biodiversity. When sampling can only be undertaken on one occasion, the most appropriate time to undertake surveys to characterise the macroinvertebrate community biodiversity is during the autumn; although this may need to be modified if other floral and faunal groups need to be incorporated in to the sampling programme

An international multi-center investigation on the accuracy of radionuclide calibrators in nuclear medicine theragnostics

Background: Personalized molecular radiotherapy based on theragnostics requires accurate quantification of the amount of radiopharmaceutical activity administered to patients both in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This international multi-center study aims to investigate the clinical measurement accuracy of radionuclide calibrators for 7 radionuclides used in theragnostics: 99mTc, 111In, 123I, 124I, 131I, 177Lu, and 90Y. Methods: In total, 32 radionuclide calibrators from 8 hospitals located in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany were tested. For each radio