Linear magnetoresistance in compensated graphene bilayer

We report a nonsaturating linear magnetoresistance in charge-compensated bilayer graphene in a temperature range from 1.5 to 150 K. The observed linear magnetoresistance disappears away from charge neutrality ruling out the traditional explanation of the effect in terms of the classical random resistor network model. We show that experimental results qualitatively agree with a phenomenological two-fluid model taking into account electron-hole recombination and finite-size sample geometry

Coenzyme A-transferase-independent butyrate re-assimilation in Clostridium acetobutylicum - evidence from a mathematical model

The hetero-dimeric CoA-transferase CtfA/B is believed to be crucial for the metabolic transition from acidogenesis to solventogenesis in Clostridium acetobutylicum as part of the industrial-relevant acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. Here, the enzyme is assumed to mediate re-assimilation of acetate and butyrate during a pH-induced metabolic shift and to faciliate the first step of acetone formation from acetoacetyl-CoA. However, recent investigations using phosphate-limited continuous cultures have questioned this common dogma. To address the emerging experimental discrepancies, we investigated the mutant strain Cac-ctfA398s::CT using chemostat cultures. As a consequence of this mutation, the cells are unable to express functional ctfA and are thus lacking CoA-transferase activity. A mathematical model of the pH-induced metabolic shift, which was recently developed for the wild type, is used to analyse the observed behaviour of the mutant strain with a focus on re-assimilation activities for the two produced acids. Our theoretical analysis reveals that the ctfA mutant still re-assimilates butyrate, but not acetate. Based upon this finding, we conclude that C. acetobutylicum possesses a CoA-tranferase-independent butyrate uptake mechanism that is activated by decreasing pH levels. Furthermore, we observe that butanol formation is not inhibited under our experimental conditions, as suggested by previous batch culture experiments. In concordance with recent batch experiments, acetone formation is abolished in chemostat cultures using the ctfa mutant

Particle identification performance of a straw transition radiation tracker prototype

A 864 channel prototype of an integrated straw tracker and transition radiation detector for tracking and electron identification has been tested with and without magnetic field at the CERN SPS. The rejection against hadrons and converted photons has been measured and the dependence of the rejection power on detector parameters has been investigated. Tracking and hadron rejection were also studied in a high multiplicity environment. The results are compared with Monte-Carlo simulations. Wherever possible, conclusions are drawn concerning the performance of a full-scale detector at the future Large Hadron Collider

Social Jetlag Inhibits Exercise-Induced Adaptations in the Heart and Alters Markers of Mitochondrial Dynamics

Social jetlag (SJL), or the shifting of behavior and sleep times between weekdays and weekends, is a pervasive form of circadian rhythm disruption that affects nearly 70% of the population to some extent. The magnitude of SJL can be determined by the difference in the mid-sleep phase between weekends and weekdays. Higher levels of SJL have been associated with lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, and increased incidence of cardiometabolic disease, which may be due, in part, to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, no studies to date have evaluated the effects of long term SJL on cardiac mitochondrial dynamics. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of SJL on mitochondrial fission and fusion signaling in the heart, and if exercise protects the heart against SJL. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 40) were allocated to four groups (n = 10/group): 1) Control Light:Dark cycle, Sedentary (CON-SED), 2) Control Light:Dark cycle, Exercise (CON-EX), 3) SJL, sedentary (SJL-SED), or SJL, exercise (SJL-EX). SJL was implemented by delaying the LD cycle 4 hours on ‘Fridays,’ and advancing the LD cycle on Mondays. Exercise was provided ad libitum with a disc. Conditions persisted for 6 weeks at which point hearts were harvested for gravimetric analysis and western blotting of markers of mitochondrial dynamics. RESULTS: Exercise caused myocardial hypertrophy in both control and SJL LD conditions (Main Effect – EX, p \u3c 0.05), with no difference between CON and SJL conditions. We did not observe any significant differences in mitochondrial content (OXPHOS antibody cocktail, p \u3e 0.05), SJL decreased expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins MFN1 and OPA1 (Main Effect – SJL, p \u3c 0.05). Importantly, SJL inhibited exercise-induced increases in MFN2 (p \u3c 0.05), suggesting that SJL specifically ameliorates some exercise-induced adaptations in mitochondrial dynamics in the heart. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that exercise induces adaptations in mitochondrial dynamics, potentially increasing mitochondrial function, and SJL may disrupt mitochondrial dynamics both in the sedentary and exercise trained states

B. D. Karvasarsky and psychotherapy establishment as a distinct discipline, homo faber, to the 90-th anniversary since birth

The establishment of psychotherapy and clinical psychology in a Russia is a very complicated and contradictive process. B. D. Karvassarsky has played an essential, key role in the psychotherapy formation as a science and distinct discipline. The article describes the crucial points of this discipline development, presents the main key studies of this mental health field. The Leningrad-Saint-Petersburg psychotherapy school maid a serious impact in the modern Russian neurosology cornerstone issues, that allowed to consider the multidimensional aspects of this pathology. This publication emphasizes the recent research results in this field, makes a deep analysis of the target phenomena understanding in different approaches, other methods integration in personality oriented reconstructive psychotherapy, elaboration of the nosocentric target oriented psychotherapy algorithms and strategies, and also different psychotherapy interventions research

Influence of non-HDL-C levels on carotid intima-media thickness in healthy individuals and patients with co-morbidities

Aim: To assess the influence of lipoproteins particularly non-HDL-C levels on cIMT in healthy individuals and patients with co-morbidities. Material and methods: Lipid parameters of 72 patients, divided into two groups were analyzed. The first group included healthy individuals who come for regular check-up without any previous pharmacologic treatment including statins. And, in the second group were patients with co-morbidities diagnosed and treated in our hospital in the last month, all previously and currently treated with statins. Ultrasound examination on the carotid arteries was performed in all patients. Results: Statistically significant differences between the groups were in the following variables: age, sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cIMT, carotid stenosis, total cholesterol, triglicerides, HDL, and non-HDL-C. In the healthy group non-HDL-C have statistically significant positive correlation with age and cIMT (r= 0.442 and r=0.755, p<0.01, respectively), and in the co-morbidity group with diastolic blood pressure and carotid stenosis (r=0.403, p=0.015, and r= 0.332, p=0.048, respectively). Only in the co-morbidity group, age, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, non-HDL, and triglicerides have an independent effect on carotid intima media thickness, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure have an independent effect on the carotid stenosis

Impacts of the Tropical Pacific/Indian Oceans on the Seasonal Cycle of the West African Monsoon

The current consensus is that drought has developed in the Sahel during the second half of the twentieth century as a result of remote effects of oceanic anomalies amplified by local land–atmosphere interactions. This paper focuses on the impacts of oceanic anomalies upon West African climate and specifically aims to identify those from SST anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Oceans during spring and summer seasons, when they were significant. Idealized sensitivity experiments are performed with four atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs). The prescribed SST patterns used in the AGCMs are based on the leading mode of covariability between SST anomalies over the Pacific/Indian Oceans and summer rainfall over West Africa. The results show that such oceanic anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Ocean lead to a northward shift of an anomalous dry belt from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel as the season advances. In the Sahel, the magnitude of rainfall anomalies is comparable to that obtained by other authors using SST anomalies confined to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The mechanism connecting the Pacific/Indian SST anomalies with West African rainfall has a strong seasonal cycle. In spring (May and June), anomalous subsidence develops over both the Maritime Continent and the equatorial Atlantic in response to the enhanced equatorial heating. Precipitation increases over continental West Africa in association with stronger zonal convergence of moisture. In addition, precipitation decreases over the Gulf of Guinea. During the monsoon peak (July and August), the SST anomalies move westward over the equatorial Pacific and the two regions where subsidence occurred earlier in the seasons merge over West Africa. The monsoon weakens and rainfall decreases over the Sahel, especially in August.Peer reviewe