Compressive Photon-Sieve Spectral Imaging

We develop a new compressive spectral imaging modality that utilizes a coded aperture and a photon-sieve for dispersion. The 3D spectral data cube is successfully reconstructed with as little as two shots using sparse recover

Comparison of ICON O+ density profiles with electron density profiles provided by COSMIC-2 and ground-based ionosondes

In October 2019, NASA-ICON was launched to observe the low-latitude ionosphere using in-situ and remote sensing instruments, from a LEO circular orbit at about 575 km altitude. The six satellites of the radio-occultation program COSMIC-2 were also successfully launched and currently provide up to 3000 electron density profiles on a daily basis since October 1, 2019. Besides, the network of ground-based ionosondes is constantly growing and allows retrieving very accurate measurements of the electron density profile up to the peak altitude. These three sources of scientific observation of the Earth ionosphere therefore provide a very complementary set of data. We compare O+ density profiles provided during nighttime by the ICON-FUV instrument and during daytime by the ICON-EUV instrument against electron density profiles measured by COSMIC-2 and ionosondes. Co-located and simultaneous observations are compared on statistical grounds, and the differences between the several methods are investigated. Particular attention is given to the most important variables, such as the altitude and the density of the F-peak, hmF2 and NmF2. The time interval considered in this study covers the whole ICON data availability period, which started on November 16, 2019. Manual screening and scaling of ionograms is performed to ensure reliable ionosonde data, while COSMIC-2 data are carefully selected using an automatic quality control algorithm. A particular attention has been brought to the geometry of the observation, because the line-of-sight integration of both airglow and radio-occultation measurements assimilates horizontal and vertical gradients. As a consequence, the local density profiles obtained by inversion of the ICON and COSMIC-2 observation cannot be exactly assimilated to vertical measurements, such as vertical incidence soundings from ionosondes. This slightly limits the reach of the interpretation of the comparison between data of different origin. However, using similar observing geometries, the comparison of ICON and COSMIC-2 data does nevertheless provide very reliable and valuable comparisons.Combining airglow, GNSS and ionosonde data to study ionospheric irregularities over low latitude

Skewed X inactivation in an X linked nystagmus family resulted from a novel, p.R229G, missense mutation in the FRMD7 gene

Aims: This study aimed to identify the underlying genetic defect of a large Turkish X linked nystagmus (NYS) family. Methods: Both Xp11 and Xq26 loci were tested by linkage analysis. The 12 exons and intron-exon junctions of the FRMD7 gene were screened by direct sequencing. X chromosome inactivation analysis was performed by enzymatic predigestion of DNA with a methylation-sensitive enzyme, followed by PCR of the polymorphic CAG repeat of the androgen receptor gene. Results: The family contained 162 individuals, among whom 28 had NYS. Linkage analysis confirmed the Xq26 locus. A novel missense c.686C>G mutation, which causes the substitution of a conserved arginine at amino acid position 229 by glycine (p.R229G) in exon 8 of the FRMD7 gene, was observed. This change was not documented in 120 control individuals. The clinical findings in a female who was homozygous for the mutation were not different from those of affected heterozygous females. Skewed X inactivation was remarkable in the affected females of the family. Conclusions: A novel p.R229G mutation in the FRMD7 gene causes the NYS phenotype, and skewed X inactivation influences the manifestation of the disease in X linked NYS females

The Effect of Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 on Recovery of Facial Nerve Crush Injury

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of locally applied insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on the recovery of facial nerve functions after crush injury in a rabbit model. Methods The rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups. Group 1 consisted of the rabbits with crush injury alone; group 2, the animals applied saline solution onto the crushed facial nerve and group 3, IGF-1 implemented to the nerve in the same manner. Facial nerve injury was first electrophysiologically studied on 10th and 42nd days of the procedure. The damage to the facial nerves was then investigated histopathologically, after sacrification of the animals. Results In the electrophysiological study, compound muscle action potential amplitudes of the crushed nerves in the second group were decreased. In pathological specimens of the first and second groups, the orders of axons were distorted; demyelination and proliferation of Schwann cells were observed. However, in IGF-1 treated group axonal order and myelin were preserved, and Schwann cell proliferation was close to normal (P<0.05). Conclusion Local application of IGF-1 in a slow releasing gel was found efficacious in the recovery of the facial nerve crush injury in rabbits. IGF-1 was considered worthy of being tried in clinical studies in facial nerve injury cases

Feeding behaviour and digestion physiology in larval fish – current knowledge and gaps and bottlenecks in research

Food uptake follows rules defined by feeding behaviour that determines the kind and quantity of food ingested by fish larvae as well as how live prey and food particles are detected, captured and ingested. Feeding success depends on the progressive development of anatomical characteristics and physiological functions and on the availability of suitable food items throughout larval development. The fish larval stages present eco-morpho-physiological features very different from adults and differ from one species to another. The organoleptic properties, dimensions, detectability, movements characteristics and buoyancy of food items are all crucial features that should be considered, but is often ignored, in feeding regimes. Ontogenetic changes in digestive function lead to limitations in the ability to process certain feedstuffs. There is still a lack of knowledge about the digestion and absorption of various nutrients and about the ontogeny of basic physiological mechanisms in fish larvae, including how they are affected by genetic, dietary and environmental factors. The neural and hormonal regulation of the digestive process and of appetite is critical for optimizing digestion. These processes are still poorly described in fish larvae and attempts to develop optimal feeding regimes are often still on a ‘trial and error’ basis. A holistic understanding of feeding ecology and digestive functions is important for designing diets for fish larvae and the adaptation of rearing conditions to meet requirements for the best presentation of prey and microdiets, and their optimal ingestion, digestion and absorption. More research that targets gaps in our knowledge should advance larval rearing