Compositional analysis of lunar and planetary surfaces using neutron capture gamma rays, 1 January - 31 March 1968

Detection and quantitative determination of hydrogen on planetary and lunar surfaces by neutron capture gamma ray

Age-related differences in short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition in a human hand muscle

Abstract not availableGeorge M. Opie, John G. Semmle

Intracortical inhibition assessed with paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation is modulated during shortening and lengthening contractions in young and old adults

Abstract not availableGeorge M. Opie, John G. Semmle

Age-related differences in pre- and post-synaptic motor cortex inhibition are task dependent

Abstract not availableGeorge M. Opie, Michael C. Ridding, John G. Semmle

Localization of correlated fermions in optical lattices with speckle disorder

Strongly correlated fermions in three- and two-dimensional optical lattices with experimentally realistic speckle disorder are investigated. We extend and apply the statistical dynamical mean-field theory, which treats local correlations non-perturbatively, to incorporate on-site and hopping-type randomness on equal footing. Localization due to disorder is detected via the probability distribution function of the local density of states. We obtain a complete paramagnetic ground state phase diagram for experimentally realistic parameters and find a strong suppression of the correlation-induced metal insulator transition due to disorder. Our results indicate that the Anderson-Mott and the Mott insulator are not continuously connected due to the specific character of speckle disorder. Furthermore, we discuss the effect of finite temperature on the single-particle spectral function.Comment: 12 pages, 16 figures, published versio

Green bonds, transition to a low-carbon economy, and intergenerational fairness: Evidence from an extended DICE model

Perceived intergenerational unfairness is one of the obstacles for a rapid transition to a low carbon economy whereby current generations have to carry the burden of paying for mitigation, while the next generations will enjoy the benefits for free. Green bonds are believed to be able to distribute the burdens over generations more evenly. In this paper, we examine whether green bonds can indeed resolve the intergenerational inequity challenge. To do so, we employ the DICE model and supplement it with bonds and green tax through which future generations repay the debt. We show that bonds can reduce but cannot completely eliminate the intergenerational inequities. Lower interest rates shorten the initial time period when the society is worse off if a mitigation policy is implemented. Additional compensation mechanisms ensuring that the current generation retains the consumption level equal to the one without mitigation are needed to achieve a Pareto improvement of the mitigation scenario for all generations

Short-term immobilization influences use-dependent cortical plasticity and fine motor performance

Short-term immobilization that reduces muscle use for 8-10h is known to influence cortical excitability and motor performance. However, the mechanisms through which this is achieved, and whether these changes can be used to modify cortical plasticity and motor skill learning, are not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of short-term immobilization on use-dependent cortical plasticity, motor learning and retention. Twenty-one adults were divided into control and immobilized groups, both of which underwent two experimental sessions on consecutive days. Within each session, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes, short- (SICI) and long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF) before and after a grooved pegboard task. Prior to the second training session, the immobilized group underwent 8h of left hand immobilization targeting the index finger, while control subjects were allowed normal limb use. Immobilization produced a reduction in MEP amplitudes, but no change in SICI, LICI or ICF. While motor performance improved for both groups in each session, the level of performance was greater 24-h later in control, but not immobilized subjects. Furthermore, training-related MEP facilitation was greater after, compared with before, immobilization. These results indicate that immobilization can modulate use-dependent plasticity and the retention of motor skills. They also suggest that changes in intracortical excitability are unlikely to contribute to the immobilization-induced modification of cortical excitability.George M. Opie, Alexandra Evans, Michael C. Ridding and John G. Semmle

Priming theta burst stimulation enhances motor cortex plasticity in young but not old adults

Abstract not availableGeorge M. Opie, Eleni Vosnakis, Michael C. Ridding, Ulf Ziemann, John G. Semmle

Investigating TMS–EEG indices of long-interval intracortical inhibition at different interstimulus intervals

Available online 8 August 2016Abstract not availableGeorge M. Opie, Nigel C. Rogasch, Mitchell R. Goldsworthy, Michael C. Ridding, John G. Semmle

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable of natural transformation in biofilms

Natural transformation is a mechanism that enables competent bacteria to acquire naked, exogenous DNA from the environment. It is a key process that facilitates the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants throughout bacterial populations. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen that produces large quantities of extracellular DNA (eDNA) that is required for biofilm formation. P. aeruginosa has a remarkable level of genome plasticity and diversity that suggests a high degree of horizontal gene transfer and recombination but is thought to be incapable of natural transformation. Here we show that P. aeruginosa possesses homologues of all proteins known to be involved in natural transformation in other bacterial species. We found that P. aeruginosa in biofilms is competent for natural transformation of both genomic and plasmid DNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that type-IV pili (T4P) facilitate but are not absolutely essential for natural transformation in P. aeruginosa