Pancyclicity of Hamiltonian line graphs

Let f(n) be the smallest integer such that for every graph G of order n with minimum degree 3(G)>f(n), the line graph L(G) of G is pancyclic whenever L(G) is hamiltonian. Results are proved showing that f(n) = ®(n 1/3)

Errors in Saint-Denys Historical Article

Carolus M. den Blanken's notification of printing errors in the article, “An Historical View of Dreams and the Ways to Direct Them: Practical Observations by Marie-Jean-Leon-Lecog, le Marquis d’Hervey-Saint-Denys,” by CM. den Blanken and E.J.G. Miejer in Lucidity Letter, 7(2), 67-78)

An Historical View of Dreams and the Ways to Direct Them; Practical Observations by Marie-Jean-Leon Lecoq, le Marquis d’Hervey-Saint-Denys1

In 1867, Librairie d’Amyot at Paris published a book entitled Les Rêves et les Moyens de les Diriger; Observations pratiques (trans.: Dreams and the Ways to Direct Them; Practical Observations.) Henceforth we will refer to it as Les Rêves. Originally the work appeared anonymously but eventually its authorship was attributed to the famous French scientist, le Marquis d’Hervey-Saint-Denys. With its publication, for the first time in Western history, a detailed personal report on lucid dreaming over a 32-year period was available. Among other things, in this book, Saint-Denys describes his interest in dreams from the age of thirteen, how he developed lucidity in them, and how he partially mastered the direction of his dreams. Almost every book on lucid dreams refers to Saint-Denys’ work (e.g. Patricia Garfield (1974), Celia Green (1968), and Stephen LaBerge (1985, 1988)). Although we may consider the author of Les Rêves the father of modern lucid dream research, very little information about the book or its author has been available. Thus the purpose of this article is to present new information as a result of a search for the original publication of Les Rêves

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

Efficient photochemical activity and strong dichroism of single crystals of reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas viridis

Crystallized reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas viridis (i) are photochemically active with electron transfer from the special pair to the quinones, (ii) show dichroism giving valuable information on the orientation of the different chromophores and (iii) allow chemical treatment in the crystalline phase

Sex differences in distress from infidelity in early adulthood and in later life:A replication and meta-analysis of Shackelford et al. (2004)

Shackelford and colleagues (2004) found that men, compared to women, are more distressed by sexual than emotional infidelity, and this sex difference continued into older age. We conducted four high-powered replications (total N = 1,952) of this effect and found different results. A meta-analysis of original and replication studies finds the sex difference in younger samples (though with a smaller effect size), and no effect among older samples. Furthermore, we found attitude toward uncommitted sex to be a mediator (although not consistently in the same direction) between participant sex and relative distress between sexual and emotional infidelity. We hypothesize that the discrepancies between the original and replication studies may be due to changing cultural attitudes about sex across time. Confirming this speculative interpretation requires further investigation. Keywords: evolutionary psychology, human nature, sex differences, cultural differences, replicatio

Motor Network Degeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Structural and Functional Connectivity Study

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by motor neuron degeneration. How this disease affects the central motor network is largely unknown. Here, we combined for the first time structural and functional imaging measures on the motor network in patients with ALS and healthy controls. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Structural measures included whole brain cortical thickness and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of crucial motor tracts. These structural measures were combined with functional connectivity analysis of the motor network based on resting state fMRI. Focal cortical thinning was observed in the primary motor area in patients with ALS compared to controls and was found to correlate with disease progression. DTI revealed reduced FA values in the corpus callosum and in the rostral part of the corticospinal tract. Overall functional organisation of the motor network was unchanged in patients with ALS compared to healthy controls, however the level of functional connectedness was significantly correlated with disease progression rate. Patients with increased connectedness appear to have a more progressive disease course. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We demonstrate structural motor network deterioration in ALS with preserved functional connectivity measures. The positive correlation between functional connectedness of the motor network and disease progression rate could suggest spread of disease along functional connections of the motor network