In the last decade, a considerable amount of studies investigated different neuropsychological syndromes related to the disorder of body awareness. In this paper, we shall review neuropsychological ...evidence of pathological embodiment/disembodiment conditions with the aim of describing the major common features, and the complementary characteristics, that may suggest the structure and function of a shared body representation. In particular, we shall first discuss experimental studies conducted on a bizarre disorder of body ownership we recently described i.e., brain-damaged patients claiming that another person's hand belongs to them (Pathological Embodiment, PE). Then complementary syndromes, with an apparent opposite attitude with respect to the PE (i.e., somatoparaphrenia and xenomelia, which is part of the Body Integrity Identity Disorders) will be also considered. We shall discuss the behavioural similarities/differences between these complementary disturbances also referring to already existing conceptual knowledge and proposals about body representation.
•Pathological embodiment/disembodiment conditions are reviewed.•Behavioral/physiological characteristic of this pathologies are described.•Similarities/differences between complementary disturbances are discussed.•Explanations of the observed symptoms are proposed.
We report on the experimental measurement of the dispersion relation of the density and spin collective excitation modes in an elongated two-component superfluid of ultracold bosonic atoms. Our ...parametric spectroscopic technique is based on the external modulation of the transverse confinement frequency, leading to the formation of density and spin Faraday waves. We show that the application of a coherent coupling between the two components reduces the phase symmetry and gives a finite mass to the spin modes.
A hallmark of the ERK1/2 functioning is their nuclear translocation, which is mainly required for the induction of proliferation. Activated ERK1/2 molecules that remain in the cytoplasm initiate ...other activities, including immediate feedback loops. Prevention of the nuclear translocation should therefore inhibit proliferation, without affecting cytoplasm-induced cellular processes. Here we present an NTS-derived myristoylated phosphomimetic peptide, which blocks the interaction of importin7 and ERK1/2, and consequently the nuclear translocation of the latter. In culture, the peptide induces apoptosis of melanoma cells inhibits the viability of other cancer cells, but has no effect on non-transformed, immortalized cells. It even inhibits the viability of PLX4032- and U0126-resistant melanoma cells. In xenograft models, the peptide inhibits several cancers, and acts much better than PLX4032 in preventing melanoma recurrence. This study provides a proof of concept for using the nuclear translocation of ERK1/2 as a drug target for the combat of various ERK1/2-related cancers.
Abstract
Millions of quasar spectra will be collected by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), leading to a fourfold increase in the number of known quasars. High-accuracy quasar ...classification is essential to tighten constraints on cosmological parameters measured at the highest redshifts DESI observes (
z
> 2.0). We present spectral templates for identification and redshift estimation of quasars in the DESI Year 1 data release. The quasar templates are comprised of two quasar eigenspectra sets, trained on spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The sets are specialized to reconstruct quasar spectral variation observed over separate yet overlapping redshift ranges and, together, are capable of identifying DESI quasars from 0.05 <
z
< 7.0. The new quasar templates show significant improvement over the previous DESI quasar templates regarding catastrophic failure rates, redshift precision and accuracy, quasar completeness, and the contamination fraction in the final quasar sample.
Abstract
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is carrying out a five-year survey that aims to measure the redshifts of tens of millions of galaxies and quasars, including 8 million ...luminous red galaxies (LRGs) in the redshift range 0.4 <
z
≲ 1.0. Here we present the selection of the DESI LRG sample and assess its spectroscopic performance using data from Survey Validation (SV) and the first two months of the Main Survey. The DESI LRG sample, selected using
g
,
r
,
z
, and
W
1 photometry from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, is highly robust against imaging systematics. The sample has a target density of 605 deg
−2
and a comoving number density of 5 × 10
−4
h
3
Mpc
−3
in 0.4 <
z
< 0.8; this is a significantly higher density than previous LRG surveys (such as SDSS, BOSS, and eBOSS) while also extending to
z
∼ 1. After applying a bright star veto mask developed for the sample, 98.9% of the observed LRG targets yield confident redshifts (with a catastrophic failure rate of 0.2% in the confident redshifts), and only 0.5% of the LRG targets are stellar contamination. The LRG redshift efficiency varies with source brightness and effective exposure time, and we present a simple model that accurately characterizes this dependence. In the appendices, we describe the extended LRG samples observed during SV.
The benefits of soil organic input on crop yields have long been discussed, yet details of their relationship remain controversial. This study considers the effects of different residue management on ...crop performance as assessed by yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Three residue management (residue removal, residue incorporation, and residue incorporation + added poultry manure), combined with five levels of N application, were studied in a long-term experiment starting in 1966. Crop residue incorporation improved maize yield by 12% (nutritional effect) and sugar beet yield by 16% (non-nutritional), and the combination of crop residue incorporation with added poultry manure increased both winter wheat and sugar beet yields by 8% (nutritional effect). The NUE values of mineral fertiliser were almost three-fold those of residues and the combination of residue with poultry manure, except in sugar beet and maize, where NUE of mineral fertilizer approached those observed for residues (0.44 vs 0.45, on average). In wheat, NUE for residue incorporation with added poultry manure was nearly double the NUE for residues alone. Residue management effects depended on crop type; spring-sown crops showing stronger effects than those sown in autumn. Residues primarily produced a nutritional effect, suggesting that they decomposed within 1 year. While residue use offers little potential for soil improvement, it does reduce the need for fertilisers.
Objectives: To describe the clinical features, treatment response, and follow-up of a large cohort of Italian patients with immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) referred to a single ...tertiary care centre.
Method: Clinical, laboratory, histological, and imaging features were retrospectively reviewed. IgG4-RD was classified as 'definite' or 'possible' according to international consensus guidelines and comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD. Disease activity was assessed by means of the IgG4-RD Responder Index (IgG4-RD RI).
Results: Forty-one patients (15 females, 26 males) were included in this study: 26 with 'definite' IgG4-RD and 15 with 'possible' IgG4-RD. The median age at diagnosis was 62 years. The median follow-up was 36 months (IQR 24-51). A history of atopy was present in 30% of patients. The pancreas, retroperitoneum, and major salivary glands were the most frequently involved organs. Serum IgG4 levels were elevated in 68% of cases. Thirty-six patients were initially treated with glucocorticoids (GCs) to induce remission. IgG4-RD RI decreased from a median of 7.8 at baseline to 2.9 after 1 month of therapy. Relapse occurred in 19/41 patients (46%) and required additional immunosuppressive drugs to maintain long-term remission. Multiple flares occurred in a minority of patients. A single case of orbital pseudotumour did not respond to medical therapy and underwent surgical debulking.
Conclusions: IgG4-RD is an elusive inflammatory disease to be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated or multiple tumefactive lesions. Long-term disease control can be achieved with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in the majority of cases.
Summary
Recent advances suggest that organic substances of different origins might have different aggregate stability dynamics. We investigated the extent to which contrasting soil types affect the ...dynamics of aggregation after the addition of crop residues (R) and of biochar at two doses (BC20, 20 Mg ha−1; BC40, 40 Mg ha−1) in a 2‐year experiment. To evaluate disaggregation, we measured a set of physical–chemical and structure‐related properties of clay and sandy loam aggregates sieved to 1–2 mm, including wet aggregate stability after different pretreatments combined with laser diffraction analysis. The electrochemical properties of the colloidal suspension were also analysed to identify changes in soil chemistry affected by organic inputs. Different amounts of added biochar and soil types produced contrasting effects on wet aggregate stability. In sandy loam, the increased soil surface area from added biochar (at either dose) offset the initial small soil organic carbon (SOC) content and subsequently promoted SOC‐controlled aggregation. Conversely in clay soil, the larger biochar dose (BC40) strengthened the repulsive forces between particles with the same charge and monovalent cations, which led to chemical perturbation and some aggregate breakdown not found with BC20. Pore structure also changed in clay aggregates. A shift towards more micropores (30–5 μm, + 29% more than in the control) and ultramicropores (5–0.1 μm, + 22% more than in the control), which contributed to aggregate stabilization, resulted when biochar was added, but not for residue. Our results suggest that biochar promotes aggregate stability, which, in turn, improves the physical fertility of soil, especially if it has a coarse texture and small organic carbon content. Further study is needed of the physical–chemical interactions between added biochar and surface‐charged clay‐rich soils.
Highlights
Aggregate dynamics are poorly understood because of complex interactions between organic inputs and soil type.
A multidisciplinary approach was used to study aggregation dynamics.
Large biochar input changed soil chemical properties that weakened stability in clay aggregates.
Aggregate stability depended on biochar dose and soil type.
•Several studies recognized Argentine tango as effective in Idiopathic Parkinson Disease.•Argentine tango is well described in studies investigating Idiopathic Parkinson Disease.•Complete description ...of the intervention procedures is necessary to promote clinical practice.
To analyse the content of the interventions reported in studies investigating the applicability and efficacy of Argentine tango in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease.
Independent reviewers searched databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PEDro) from their inception to November 2019. Eligible studies were randomised, controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials, and case reports.
The Template for Intervention Description and Replication guidelines and checklist were used to assess quality and quantity of the content of Argentine tango interventions’ description.
We found 21 papers investigating the applicability and efficacy of Argentine tango in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. Completeness of the reporting of intervention was satisfying. The intervention is intended to affect a variety of aspects of functioning relevant to individuals with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. Detailed information on the intervention's procedure and dosing is usually provided. The delivery of the Tango dance program was predominantly extensive; however, the intervention has been provided with various approaches and showed to be very adaptable. Attrition- and adherence- rates described are acceptable. The Adapted Tango dance program is the earliest and most researched modality of tango intervention in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease.
Argentine tango is appropriately described in the studies investigating the applicability and efficacy of the intervention in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. However, the reporting could be ameliorated.
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