A Preliminary Study of DBH (Encoding Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase) Genetic Variation and Neural Correlates of Emotional and Motivational Processing in Individuals With and Without Pathological Gambling

Background and aims Corticostriatal-limbic neurocircuitry, emotional and motivational processing, dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems and genetic factors have all been implicated in pathological gambling (PG). However, allelic variants of genes influencing dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitters have not been investigated with respect to the neural correlates of emotional and motivational states in PG. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) converts dopamine to norepinephrine; the T allele of a functional single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1611115 (C-1021T) in the DBH gene is associated with less DBH activity and has been linked to emotional processes and addiction. Here, we investigate the influence of rs1611115 on the neural correlates of emotional and motivational processing in PG and healthy comparison (HC) participants. Methods While undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging, 18 PG and 25 HC participants, all European Americans, viewed gambling-, sad-, and cocaine-related videotapes. Analyses focused on brain activation differences related to DBH genotype (CC/T-carrier [i.e., CT and TT]) and condition (sad/gambling/cocaine). Results CC participants demonstrated greater recruitment of corticostriatal-limbic regions, relative to T-carriers. DBH variants were also associated with altered corticostriatal-limbic activations across the different videotape conditions, and this association appeared to be driven by greater activation in CC participants relative to T-carriers during the sad condition. CC relative to T-carrier subjects also reported greater subjective sadness to the sad videotapes. Conclusions Individual differences in genetic composition linked to aminergic function contribute significantly to emotional regulation across diagnostic groups and warrant further investigation in PG

Recreational Drug Use and Impulsivity in a Population of Canadian Undergraduate Drinkers

The consumption of drugs during young adulthood may be particularly detrimental given important neurodevelopmental changes occurring during this period. As impulsivity may lead to substance use and substance use to the commission of seemingly impulsive acts, an improved understanding of the relationship between alcohol use, other substance use and impulsivity in young adults is important. We gathered information on self-reported impulsivity, recreational drug use, and drinking habits of 205 (105 female) undergraduate students. Results showed that 64% of the students reported using marijuana at least once and these individuals were more likely to report binge drinking. Polysubstance use, defined as using marijuana and at least one other illicit substance, was reported by 20% of students. These individuals reported more drinking occasions per month and had higher levels of trait impulsivity. Rates of recreational drug use were similar to those reported in recent national surveys, suggesting an increase in experimentation with specific illicit drugs. Given that a majority of undergraduate drinkers reported marijuana use and its association with binge drinking, future research should clarify the relationship between marijuana use and binge consumption of alcohol and prevention efforts should consider the conjoint targeting of marijuana and binge drinking. The associations between polysubstance use, binge-level alcohol consumption and elevated self-reported impulsivity suggests that perceived trait impulsivity across multiple domains may predispose to excessive use of multiple substances. Longitudinal studies should examine the contribution of impulsivity to the initiation and experimentation with illicit drugs and the influence of specific substances on impulsivity

New supersymmetric quartet of nuclei in the A=190 mass region

We present evidence for a new supersymmetric quartet in the A=190 region of the nuclear mass table. New experimental information on transfer and neutron capture reactions to the odd-odd nucleaus 194 Ir strongly suggests the existence of a new supersymmetric quartet, consisting of the 192,193 Os and 193,194 Ir nuclei. We make explicit predictions for the odd-neutron nucleus 193 Os, and suggest that its spectroscopic properties be measured in dedicated experiments.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, updated figures and revised text, Physical Review C, Rapid Communication, in pres

Mass recovery of carbonated fabrics of glass fibres after isothermal heating

Acknowledgement: Authors acknowledge financial support from Latvian National Program IMIS2Leaching of Na+ ions in sodium oxide (Na2O) and silica (SiO2) containing glass is well investigated mainly due to its weak weathering. The object of this study was naturally (at room conditions) leached, steady state product on surface of sodium oxide-silica-alumina (Al2O3) glass fibers (in fabric) in a form of shell of "glyed" trona crystals as a result of interaction of leached Na+ ions and H2O and CO2 from atmosphere. There are presented results of continued former investigation of mass loss by isothermal heating of fabric and mass recovery in different atmospheres during the first phase of adsorption (at least 0.25h) without changes of state of crystals obtained during preheating at different temperatures. There are observed two ways of decomposition of trona (Na3H (CO3)2•2H2O) with its beginning at about 55-570C and 73-750C. The regression analysis of mass restoring in different atmospheres indicates to simultaneous and exponential mass increase by physical adsorption of CO2 and H2O having the different parameters of exponents vs time. Decomposition of trona is discussed in terms of parameters of exponent vs preheating temperature.Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

New supersymmetric quartet of nuclei in the A=190 mass region

We present evidence for a new supersymmetric quartet in the A=190 region of the nuclear mass table. New experimental information on transfer and neutron capture reactions to the odd-odd nucleaus 194 Ir strongly suggests the existence of a new supersymmetric quartet, consisting of the 192,193 Os and 193,194 Ir nuclei. We make explicit predictions for the odd-neutron nucleus 193 Os, and suggest that its spectroscopic properties be measured in dedicated experiments.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, updated figures and revised text, Physical Review C, Rapid Communication, in pres

Development and fabrication of a fast recovery, high voltage power diode

The use of positive bevels for P-I-N mesa structures to achieve high voltages is described. The technique of glass passivation for mesa structures is described. The utilization of high energy radiation to control the lifetime of carriers in silicon is reported as a means to achieve fast recovery times. Characterization data is reported and is in agreement with design concepts developed for power diodes

Spiritual Experiences are Related to Engagement of a Ventral Frontotemporal Functional Brain Network: Implications for Prevention and Treatment of Behavioral and Substance Addictions

Background and aims: Spirituality is an important component of 12-step programs for behavioral and substance addictions and has been linked to recovery processes. Understanding the neural correlates of spiritual experiences may help to promote efforts to enhance recovery processes in behavioral addictions. We recently used general linear model (GLM) analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging data to examine neural correlates of spiritual experiences, with findings implicating cortical and subcortical brain regions. Although informative, the GLM-based approach does not provide insight into brain circuits that may underlie spiritual experiences. Methods: Spatial independent component analysis (sICA) was used to identify functional brain networks specifically linked to spiritual (vs. stressful or neutral-relaxing) conditions using a previously validated guided imagery task in 27 young adults. Results: Using sICA, engagement of a ventral frontotemporal network was identified that was engaged at the onset and conclusion of the spiritual condition in a manner distinct from engagement during the stress or neutral-relaxing conditions. Degree of engagement correlated with subjective reports of spirituality in the scanner (r = .71, p < .001) and an out-of-the-magnet measure of spirituality (r = .48, p < .018). Discussion and conclusion: The current findings suggest a distributed functional neural network associated with spiritual experiences and provide a foundation for investigating brain mechanisms underlying the role of spirituality in recovery from behavioral addictions

Sudesna mjerenja γγ-raspada stanja 166Ho nastalih reakcijom (n,γ)

Levels of 166Ho were studied using thermal and average resonance neutron capture and with the (d,p) and (d,3He) reactions. We have devoted a large effort to the measurements of the γγ-coincidence spectra in the broad energy region 50 - 6243 keV. Based on these data and those of earlier studies, the levels are grouped into 23 rotational bands. Among them are 6 new ones. The results are in good agreement with the semiempirical and quasiparticle-phonon model, where Coriolis and residual interactions are taken into account. Details of model interpretation have been presented in a previously published paper.Proučavali smo stanja 166Ho nastala termičkim i prosječnim rezonantnim uhvatom neutrona, te (d,p) i (d,3He) reakcijama. Uložili smo velik trud u mjerenjima sudesnih γγ-spektara u širokom energijskom području od 50 do 6243 keV. Na osnovi tih i ranijih podataka, stanja su grupirana u 23 rotacijske vrpce. Među njima je i 6 novih. Ishodi su u suglasju s poluempiričkim i kvazičestično-fononskim modelom, uzimajući u obzir Coriolisovo međudjelovanje i rezidualne interakcije. Podrobnosti modelskog tumačenja objavljene u u ranijem članku