Optimisation of the Processing Strategy for Utilisation of Australian Wheat in Instant Noodles

Established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Progra

Prediction of biopore- and matrix-dominated flow from X-ray CT-derived macropore network characteristics

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

PMI: A Delta Psi(m) Independent Pharmacological Regulator of Mitophagy

Mitophagy is central to mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis and operates via the PINK1/Parkin pathway targeting mitochondria devoid of membrane potential (ΔΨm) to autophagosomes. Although mitophagy is recognized as a fundamental cellular process, selective pharmacologic modulators of mitophagy are almost nonexistent. We developed a compound that increases the expression and signaling of the autophagic adaptor molecule P62/SQSTM1 and forces mitochondria into autophagy. The compound, P62-mediated mitophagy inducer (PMI), activates mitophagy without recruiting Parkin or collapsing ΔΨm and retains activity in cells devoid of a fully functional PINK1/Parkin pathway. PMI drives mitochondria to a process of quality control without compromising the bio-energetic competence of the whole network while exposing just those organelles to be recycled. Thus, PMI circumvents the toxicity and some of the nonspecific effects associated with the abrupt dissipation of ΔΨm by ionophores routinely used to induce mitophagy and represents a prototype pharmacological tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy

Protocol for an RCT on cognitive bias modification for alcohol use disorders in a religion-based rehabilitation program

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol-related cues trigger relapse in patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). These cues may automatically activate motivational approach tendencies. Through computerised cognitive bias modification (CBM), the tendencies of patients with AUD to approach alcohol can be reduced. The present protocol describes a training intervention with approach bias modification (ApBM) incorporating religion-related stimuli as an alternative to alcohol to improve the effectiveness of CBM in a religion-based rehabilitation centre. AUD is often related to patients’ religious attitudes in this treatment context. The religion-adapted ApBM, therefore, combines training in avoidance of alcohol-related motivational cues and an approach to religion-based motivational cues. This combination’s effectiveness will be compared with a standard ApBM and to a sham ApBM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Using a double-blind multiarm parallel randomised controlled trial procedure (ratio 1:1:1), 120 patients with AUD will be randomised into 1 of 3 conditions (religion-adapted ApBM, standard ApBM or sham ApBM) with personalised stimuli. The interventions are delivered over 4 consecutive days during an inpatient detoxification programme in addition to treatment as usual. Assessments occur before the start of the training and after the fourth training session, with follow-up assessments after 1 and 4 months. A multivariate analysis of variance will be used with the primary outcomes, the percentage of days abstinent and meaning in life 4-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include differences in reported training satisfaction and symptoms of AUD. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee Academic Medical Center Amsterdam (Reference number: 2020_251). Further, study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NL75499.018.20

Imaging Fabry-Perot Spectroscopy of NGC 5775: Kinematics of the Diffuse Ionized Gas Halo

We present imaging Fabry-Perot observations of Halpha emission in the nearly edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 5775. We have derived a rotation curve and a radial density profile along the major axis by examining position-velocity (PV) diagrams from the Fabry-Perot data cube as well as a CO 2-1 data cube from the literature. PV diagrams constructed parallel to the major axis are used to examine changes in azimuthal velocity as a function of height above the midplane. The results of this analysis reveal the presence of a vertical gradient in azimuthal velocity. The magnitude of this gradient is approximately 1 km/s/arcsec, or about 8 km/s/kpc, though a higher value of the gradient may be appropriate in localized regions of the halo. The evidence for an azimuthal velocity gradient is much stronger for the approaching half of the galaxy, although earlier slit spectra are consistent with a gradient on both sides. There is evidence for an outward radial redistribution of gas in the halo. The form of the rotation curve may also change with height, but this is not certain. We compare these results with those of an entirely ballistic model of a disk-halo flow. The model predicts a vertical gradient in azimuthal velocity which is shallower than the observed gradient, indicating that an additional mechanism is required to further slow the rotation speeds in the halo.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures. Uses emulateapj.cls. Accepted for publication in Ap

The nitrate aerosol field over Europe: simulations with an atmospheric chemistry-transport model of intermediate complexity

International audienceNitrate is an important component of fine aerosols in Europe. We present a model simulation for the year 1995 in which we account for the formation of the ammonium nitrate, a semi volatile component. For this purpose, LOTOS, a chemistry-transport model of intermediate complexity, was extended with a thermodynamic equilibrium module and additional relevant processes to account for aerosol formation and deposition. Our earlier analysis of data on (ammonium) nitrate in Europe was used for model evaluation. During winter, fall and especially spring high nitrate levels are projected over north western, central and eastern Europe. During winter nitrate concentrations are highest in the Po valley, Italy. This is in accordance with the field that was constructed from the data. In winter nitric acid, the precursor for aerosol nitrate, is formed through heterogeneous reactions on the surface of aerosols. Appreciable ammonium nitrate concentrations in summer are limited to those areas with high ammonia emissions, e.g. The Netherlands, since high ammonia concentrations are necessary to stabilise this aerosol component at high temperatures. Averaged over all stations the model reproduces the measured concentrations for NO3, SO4, NH4, TNO3, TNH4 and SO2 within 20%. The daily variation is captured well, albeit that the model does not always represents the amplitude of single events. The model underestimates wet deposition which was attributed to the crude representation of cloud processes. The treatment of ammonia was found to be the major source for uncertainties in the model representation of secondary aerosols. Also, inclusion of sea salt is necessary to properly assess the nitrate and nitric acid levels in marine areas. Over Europe the annual forcing by nitrate is calculated to be 25% of that by sulphate. In summer nitrate is found to be regionally important, e.g. in The Netherlands, where the forcing of nitrate and sulphate are calculated to be equal. In winter, spring and fall the nitrate forcing over Europe is about half that by sulphate. Over north western Europe and the alpine region the forcing by nitrate was calculated to be similar to that of sulphate. Overall, nitrate forcing is significant and should be taken into account to estimate the impact of regional climate change in Europe

High-Latitude HI in the Low Surface Brightness Galaxy UGC7321

From the analysis of sensitive HI 21-cm line observations, we find evidence for vertically extended HI emission (|z|<~2.4 kpc) in the edge-on, low surface brightness spiral galaxy UGC7321. Three-dimensional modelling suggests that the HI disk of UGC7321 is both warped and flared, but that neither effect can fully reproduce the spatial distribution and kinematics of the highest z-height gas. We are able to model the high-latitude emission as an additional HI component in the form of a ``thick disk'' or ``halo'' with a FWHM~3.3 kpc. We find tentative evidence that the vertically extended gas declines in rotational velocity as a function of z, although we are unable to completely rule out models with constant V(z). In spite of the low star formation rate of UGC7321, energy from supernovae may be sufficient to sustain this high-latitude gas. However, alternative origins for this material, such as slow, sustained infall, cannot yet be excluded.Comment: to appear in the August 20 Astrophysical Journal; 17 pages; version with full resolution figures available at http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~lmatthew

Bleeding Diathesis in Fawn Hooded Rats:Possible Implications for Invasive Procedures and Refinement Strategies

The Fawn hooded (FH) rat is commonly used in biomedical research. It is widely acknowledged that the FH rat has a bleeding disorder; leading to abundant bleedings. Although this bleeding disorder is investigated to model the storage pool defect; its impact on commonly performed invasive laboratory procedures has not yet been described. Our research group experienced clinically significant consequences of this bleeding disorder following invasive procedures (including intraperitoneal injections and neurocranial surgery) in the Rjlbm: FH stock. The clinical consequences of the surgical and anesthetic protocols applied; are described including the subsequent procedural refinements applied to minimize the impact of this disorder. It is strongly recommended to take the bleeding diathesis into account when performing invasive procedures in FH rats and to apply the suggested refinement of procedures

Secondary inorganic aerosol simulations for Europe with special attention to nitrate

International audienceNitrate is an important component of (secondary inorganic) fine aerosols in Europe. We present a model simulation for the year 1995 in which we account for the formation of secondary inorganic aerosols including ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate, a semi volatile component. For this purpose, the chemistry-transport model LOTOS was extended with a thermodynamic equilibrium module and additional relevant processes to account for secondary aerosol formation and deposition. During winter, fall and especially spring high nitrate levels are projected over north western, central and eastern Europe. During winter nitrate concentrations are highest in Italy, in accordance with observed data. In winter nitric acid, the precursor for aerosol nitrate is formed through heterogeneous reactions on the surface of aerosols. Modelled and observed sulphate concentrations show little seasonal variation. Compared to sulphate levels, appreciable ammonium nitrate concentrations in summer are limited to those areas with high ammonia emissions, e.g. the Netherlands, since high ammonia concentrations are necessary to stabilise this aerosol component at high temperatures. As a consequence of the strong seasonal variation in nitrate levels the AOD depth of nitrate over Europe is especially significant compared to that of sulphate in winter and spring when equal AOD values are calculated over large parts of Europe. Averaged over all stations the model reproduces the measured concentrations for NO3, SO4, NH4, TNO3 (HNO3+NO3), TNH4 (NH3+NH4) and SO2 within 20%. The daily variation is captured well, albeit that the model does not always represent the amplitude of single events. The model underestimates wet deposition which was attributed to the crude representation of cloud processes. Comparison of retrieved and computed aerosol optical depth (AOD) showed that the model underestimates AOD significantly, which was expected due to the lack of carbonaceous aerosols, sea salt and dust in the model. The treatment of ammonia was found to be a major source for uncertainties in the model representation of secondary aerosols. Also, inclusion of sea salt is necessary to properly assess the nitrate and nitric acid levels in marine areas