Global surface features contribute to human haptic roughness estimations

Previous studies have paid special attention to the relationship between local features (e.g., raised dots) and human roughness perception. However, the relationship between global features (e.g., curved surface) and haptic roughness perception is still unclear. In the present study, a series of roughness estimation experiments was performed to investigate how global features affect human roughness perception. In each experiment, participants were asked to estimate the roughness of a series of haptic stimuli that combined local features (raised dots) and global features (sinusoidal-like curves). Experiments were designed to reveal whether global features changed their haptic roughness estimation. Furthermore, the present study tested whether the exploration method (direct, indirect, and static) changed haptic roughness estimations and examined the contribution of global features to roughness estimations. The results showed that sinusoidal-like curved surfaces with small periods were perceived to be rougher than those with large periods, while the direction of finger movement and indirect exploration did not change this phenomenon. Furthermore, the influence of global features on roughness was modulated by local features, regardless of whether raised-dot surfaces or smooth surfaces were used. Taken together, these findings suggested that an object’s global features contribute to haptic roughness perceptions, while local features change the weight of the contribution that global features make to haptic roughness perceptions

Microbial regulation of aggregate stability and carbon sequestration under long-term conservation tillage and nitrogen application

peer reviewedThe stability of aggregates plays a significant role in soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in conservation agriculture soils. However, the regulation of microorganisms within aggregates on aggregate stability and SOC sequestration remains elusive. By dividing the soil into three aggregate size classes [mega-aggregates (>2000 μm), macro-aggregates (250–2000 μm), and micro-aggregates (<250 μm)], we evaluated the response of aggregate stability, SOC and microbial communities within aggregates to long-term conservation tillage, which consisted of two tillage methods (conventional tillage and no-tillage) and three nitrogen application rates (105, 180, and 210 kg N ha−1). Under no-tillage treatment, high nitrogen application rate increased SOC by 2.1–3.7 g·kg−1 within mega- and macro-aggregates but reduced the total amount of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) within all aggregates. Under conventional tillage, high N application rate increased mean weight diameter (MWD) and reduced total PLFAs within all aggregates only in 0–10 cm. With the same nitrogen application rate, no-tillage increased MWD by 8.7 %–42.7 %, SOC content within mega-aggregates by 7.3 %–27.8 % and within macro-aggregates by 13.2 %–28.3 % when compared with conventional tillage. Actinobacteria were recruited by straw under no-tillage and their biomass increased 1.5–7.8 times in all aggregates compared with conventional tillage, where they might participate in aggregate formation via degradation of straw and increasing SOC within mega- and macro-aggregates. Conversely, desulfovibrio biomass within all aggregates was diminished under no-tillage compared with conventional tillage, while desulfovibrio possibly directly inhibited soil aggregate formation and decreased SOC within mega- and macro-aggregates under conventional tillage. Moreover, under no-tillage, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi biomass increased by 0.4–1.6 nmol g−1 within all aggregates compared with conventional tillage in 0–10 cm, potentially indirectly contributing to soil aggregate formation via co-metabolic processes and increasing SOC within mega- and macro-aggregates. Overall, high nitrogen application under long-term no-tillage protects SOC within mega-aggregates by altering aggregate formation through the microbial communities, providing information that may be useful in developing management strategies to enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural soils

Potential Disease-Modifying Effects of Lithium Carbonate in Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C1

Background: Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NP-C1) is a rare, autosomal-recessive neurodegenerative disorder with no United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug. Lithium has been shown to have considerable neuroprotective effects for neurological disorders such as bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke and has been tested in many clinical trials. However, the pharmacological effect of lithium on NP-C1 neurodegenerative processes has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to provide an initial evaluation of the safety and feasibility of lithium carbonate in patients with NP-C1.Methods: A total of 13 patients diagnosed with NP-C1 who met the inclusion criteria received lithium orally at doses of 300, 600, 900, or 1,200 mg daily. The dose was reduced based on tolerance or safety observations. Plasma 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC), an emerging biomarker of NP-C1, was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included NPC Neurological Severity Scores (NNSS) and safety.Results: Of the 13 patients with NP-C1 (12–33 years) enrolled, three withdrew (discontinuation of follow-up outpatient visits). The last observed post-treatment values of 7-KC concentrations (128 ng/ml, SEM 20) were significantly lower than pretreatment baselines values (185 ng/ml, SEM 29; p = 0.001). The mean NNSS was improved after lithium treatment at 12 months (p = 0.005). Improvement in swallowing capacity was observed in treated patients (p = 0.014). No serious adverse events were recorded in the patients receiving lithium.Conclusion: Lithium is a potential therapeutic option for NP-C1 patients. Larger randomized and double-blind clinical trials are needed to further support this finding.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03201627

Nitrogen addition mediates the effect of soil microbial diversity on microbial carbon use efficiency under long-term tillage practices

peer reviewedTillage practices can influence soil microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE), which is critical for carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The effect of tillage practices could also be regulated by nitrogen (N) addition. However, the soil microbial mechanism relating to N fertilizer effect on microbial CUE under no-tillage (zero-tillage) is still unclear. We investigated how N fertilizer regulates the effect of tillage management on microbial CUE through changing microbial properties and further assessed the impact of microbial CUE on particulate (POC) and mineral-associated organic matter carbon (MAOC). For this we used a 16-year field experiment with no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT), both of which combined with 105 (N1), 180 (N2), and 210 kg N ha−1 (N3) N application. We found that microbial CUE increased with increasing N application rate. NT increased microbial CUE compared with CT in the 0–10 cm. The bacterial and fungal diversities of NT were higher than CT and N application decreased their diversities in 0–10 cm. The partial least squares path model showed that bacterial and fungal diversity had a significant influence on microbial CUE. Furthermore, POC and MAOC under NT were higher than CT and they also increased with increasing N application rate. It suggested that increasing microbial CUE induced by N application had the potential to increase POC and MAOC. Overall, this study highlights that N addition can alter the effect of soil microbial diversity on CUE, which further improves our understanding to explain and predict the fractions of SOC (i.e., POC and MAOC) in tillage systems

L'Invention de l'espace chez Marcel Proust

This thesis aims to study the space and the places in the complete works of Proust in terms of literary geography. The first part attempts to clarify the writer’s spatial logic in the construction of his imaginary places. Inspired by John Ruskin, the two fundamental principles in Proust’s theory of space are “plane geometry” and “spatial geometry”. Starting from the dark room where the narrator of In Search of Lost Time wakes up at the beginning of the story, this thesis examines the projection of landscape into images, the primary structures of spatial units, and the totality of continuous space. The second part is devoted to analyzing four places in In Search of Lost Time, namely, Combray, Balbec, Paris and Venice. I examine these four places, which loom between reality and imagination, by focusing on their topographic network and interior spaces. Specifically, I compare their descriptions with that which are in Jean Santeuil in order to highlight the transformation of these cities in Proust’s writing. The third part deals with the question of origin and the sources of Proust’s universe. I adopt the concept of “empty”, which refers to incomplete or unidentified space, and atmospheric phenomena, both of which play a role in the construction of world. At last, we focus on the writer’s representation of the sea, especially in Les Plaisirs et les Jours. From expansive masses of land to miniscule natural elements, from the author’s major work to his first collection in 1896, this thesis seeks to present Proust’s brilliance in his fictional space creation.Cette thèse se propose d’aborder l’espace et les lieux dans l’ensemble des œuvres de Proust, dans le cadre de la géographie littéraire. La première partie tente de clarifier la logique spatiale de l’écrivain dans la construction de ses lieux imaginaires. Inspiré par John Ruskin, Proust met en valeur deux notions – la « géométrie plane » et la « géométrie dans l’espace », constituant les principes fondamentaux de sa propre conception de l’espace. En partant de la chambre obscure où se réveille le héros-narrateur de la Recherche au début du récit, nous analysons la projection de paysages en images, les structures élémentaires de petites unités spatiales, ainsi que la totalité et la continuité de vastes régions. La deuxième partie examine les quatre territoires de la Recherche : Combray, Balbec, Paris et Venise. Ces pays, vacillant entre le réel et l’imaginaire, sont analysés en lien avec leurs versions primitives dans Jean Santeuil, à travers la topographie et les espaces intérieurs. Nous envisageons ainsi d’éclairer le processus de la transformation de ces lieux par l’écriture de Proust. La troisième partie traite la question de l’origine et les sources de l’univers proustien. Nous introduisons le concept du « vide », qui peut référer soit à des espaces lacunaires ou indéterminés, soit aux phénomènes atmosphériques, tous participant à la construction du monde. Enfin, nous nous focalisons sur la représentation de la mer chez l’écrivain, notamment dans Les Plaisirs et les Jours. En passant d’immenses territoires aux éléments naturels, de son œuvre principale à son premier recueil de 1896, nous souhaitons percevoir le génie de Proust dans l’invention de son espace fictif

Creation of Space in the Works of Marcel Proust

Cette thèse se propose d’aborder l’espace et les lieux dans l’ensemble des œuvres de Proust, dans le cadre de la géographie littéraire. La première partie tente de clarifier la logique spatiale de l’écrivain dans la construction de ses lieux imaginaires. Inspiré par John Ruskin, Proust met en valeur deux notions – la « géométrie plane » et la « géométrie dans l’espace », constituant les principes fondamentaux de sa propre conception de l’espace. En partant de la chambre obscure où se réveille le héros-narrateur de la Recherche au début du récit, nous analysons la projection de paysages en images, les structures élémentaires de petites unités spatiales, ainsi que la totalité et la continuité de vastes régions. La deuxième partie examine les quatre territoires de la Recherche : Combray, Balbec, Paris et Venise. Ces pays, vacillant entre le réel et l’imaginaire, sont analysés en lien avec leurs versions primitives dans Jean Santeuil, à travers la topographie et les espaces intérieurs. Nous envisageons ainsi d’éclairer le processus de la transformation de ces lieux par l’écriture de Proust. La troisième partie traite la question de l’origine et les sources de l’univers proustien. Nous introduisons le concept du « vide », qui peut référer soit à des espaces lacunaires ou indéterminés, soit aux phénomènes atmosphériques, tous participant à la construction du monde. Enfin, nous nous focalisons sur la représentation de la mer chez l’écrivain, notamment dans Les Plaisirs et les Jours. En passant d’immenses territoires aux éléments naturels, de son œuvre principale à son premier recueil de 1896, nous souhaitons percevoir le génie de Proust dans l’invention de son espace fictif.This thesis aims to study the space and the places in the complete works of Proust in terms of literary geography. The first part attempts to clarify the writer’s spatial logic in the construction of his imaginary places. Inspired by John Ruskin, the two fundamental principles in Proust’s theory of space are “plane geometry” and “spatial geometry”. Starting from the dark room where the narrator of In Search of Lost Time wakes up at the beginning of the story, this thesis examines the projection of landscape into images, the primary structures of spatial units, and the totality of continuous space. The second part is devoted to analyzing four places in In Search of Lost Time, namely, Combray, Balbec, Paris and Venice. I examine these four places, which loom between reality and imagination, by focusing on their topographic network and interior spaces. Specifically, I compare their descriptions with that which are in Jean Santeuil in order to highlight the transformation of these cities in Proust’s writing. The third part deals with the question of origin and the sources of Proust’s universe. I adopt the concept of “empty”, which refers to incomplete or unidentified space, and atmospheric phenomena, both of which play a role in the construction of world. At last, we focus on the writer’s representation of the sea, especially in Les Plaisirs et les Jours. From expansive masses of land to miniscule natural elements, from the author’s major work to his first collection in 1896, this thesis seeks to present Proust’s brilliance in his fictional space creation

Tceal7 Regulates Skeletal Muscle Development through Its Interaction with Cdk1

We have previously reported Tceal7 as a muscle-specific gene that represses myoblast proliferation and promotes myogenic differentiation. The regulatory mechanism of Tceal7 gene expression has been well clarified recently. However, the underlying mechanism of Tceal7 function in skeletal muscle development remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we have generated an MCK 6.5 kb-HA-Tceal7 transgenic model. The transgenic mice are born normally, while they have displayed defects in the growth of body weight and skeletal muscle myofiber during postnatal development. Although four RxL motifs have been identified in the Tceal7 protein sequence, we have not detected any direct protein-protein interaction between Tceal7 and Cyclin A2, Cyclin B1, Cylin D1, or Cyclin E1. Further analysis has revealed the interaction between Tceal7 and Cdk1 instead of Cdk2, Cdk4, or Cdk6. Transgenic overexpression of Tceal7 reduces phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 Ser65, p70S6K1 Thr389, and Cdk substrates in skeletal muscle. In summary, these studies have revealed a novel mechanism of Tceal7 in skeletal muscle development

reductiveleachingoflowgrademanganeseorewithpreprocessedcornstalk

Cornstalk is usually directly used as a reductant in reductive leaching manganese. However, low utilization of cornstalk makes low manganese dissolution ratio. In the research, pretreatment for cornstalk was proposed to improve manganese dissolution ratio. Cornstalk was preprocessed by a heated sulfuric acid solution (1.2 M of sulfuric acid concentration) for 10 min at 80℃. Thereafter, both the pretreated solution and the residue were used as a reductant for manganese leaching. This method not only exhibited superior activity for hydrolyzing cornstalk but also enhanced manganese dissolution. These effects were attributed to an increase in the amount of reductive sugars resulting from lignin hydrolysis. Through acid pretreatment for cornstalk, the manganese dissolution ratio was improved from 50.14% to 83.46%. The present work demonstrates for the first time the effective acid pretreatment of cornstalk to provide a cost-effective reductant for manganese leaching

Analytical method for the determination of trace toxic elements in milk based on combining Fe3O4 nanoparticles accelerated UV fenton-like digestion and solid phase extraction

A UV Fenton-like digestion method was developed first time for a complete digestion of milk samples by using 1.6 g L-1 Fe3O 4 magnetic nanoparticles, 0.2% (v/v) nitric acid, and 6% (w/w) H 2O2. During the digestion, the liberated As-, Sb-, and Bi-containing species were preconcentrated onto the surface of Fe 3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, which were conveniently separated with a hand-held magnet and subsequently dissolved in hydrochloric acid prior to hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometric detection. Owing to the integration of UV Fenton-like digestion, solid phase extraction, and magnetic separation into a single step, the developed method significantly simplifies sample preparation steps and reduces chemical consumption and hazardous waste. Limits of detection of 0.0015, 0.0022, and 0.0025 \u3bcg L -1 were obtained for As, Sb, and Bi, respectively, using a 50 mL milk sample. The method was applied to the determination of these elements in a Certified Reference Material and milk samples.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye