Are Older Adults’ Difficulties on Emotion Recognition and Theory of Mind Tasks Due to a Decline in General Cognitive Ability?

Older adults have both worse general cognition and worse social cognition. A frequent suggestion is that worse social cognition is due to worse general cognition. However, previous studies have often provided contradictory evidence. The current study examined this issue with a more extensive battery of tasks for both forms of cognition. We gave 47 young and 40 older adults three tasks to assess general cognition (processing speed, working memory, fluid intelligence) and three tasks to assess their social cognition (emotion and theory-of-mind). Older adults did worse on all tasks and there were correlations between general and social cognition. Although working memory and fluid intelligence were unique predictors of performance on the Emotion Photos task and the Eyes task, Age Group was a unique predictor on all three social cognitiaon tasks. Thus, there were relations between the two forms of cognition but older adults continued to do worse than young adults even after accounting for general cognition. We argue that this pattern of results is due to some overlap in brain areas mediating general and social cognition, but also independence, and with a differential rate of decline in brain areas dedicated to general cognition versus social cognition.

Semi-leptonic three-body proton decay modes from light-cone sum rules

Using light-cone sum rule techniques, we estimate the form factors which parametrise the hadronic matrix elements that are relevant for semi-leptonic three-body proton decays. The obtained form factors allow us to determine the differential rate for the decay of a proton (p) into a positron (e+), a neutral pion (π0) and a graviton (G), which is the leading proton decay channel in the effective theory of gravitons and Standard Model particles (GRSMEFT). The sensitivity of existing and next-generation neutrino experiments in detecting the p → e+π0G signature is studied and the phenomenological implications of our computations for constraints on the effective mass scale that suppresses the relevant baryon-number violating GRSMEFT operator are discussed.

Revealing spatio-temporal dynamics with long-term trypanosomatid live-cell imaging

Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, employs a flagellum for dissemination within the parasite's mammalian and insect hosts. T. brucei cells are highly motile in culture and must be able to move in all three dimensions for reliable cell division. These characteristics have made long-term microscopic imaging of live T. brucei cells challenging, which has limited our understanding of a variety of important cell-cycle events. To address this issue, we have devised an imaging approach that confines cells to small volumes that can be imaged continuously for up to 24 h. This system employs cast agarose microwells generated using a PDMS stamp that can be made with different dimensions to maximize cell viability and imaging quality. Using this approach, we have imaged individual T. brucei through multiple rounds of cell division with high spatial and temporal resolution. We have employed this method to study the differential rate of T. brucei daughter cell division and show that the approach is compatible with loss-of-function experiments such as small molecule inhibition and RNAi. We have also developed a strategy that employs in-well "sentinel" cells to monitor potential toxicity due to imaging. This live-cell imaging method will provide a novel avenue for studying a wide variety of cellular events in trypanosomatids that have previously been inaccessible.

A closer look at observables from exclusive semileptonic B → (π, ρ)ℓνℓ decays

This article analyses the available inputs in B → πℓνℓ and B → ρℓνℓ decays which include the measured values of differential rate in different q2-bins (lepton invariant mass spectrum), lattice, and the newly available inputs on the relevant form-factors from the light-cone sum rules (LCSR) approach. We define different fit scenarios, and in each of these scenarios, we predict a few observables in the standard model (SM). For example, $$ R(M)=\frac{\mathcal{B}\left(B\to M{\ell}_i{\nu}_{\ell_i}\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left(B\to M{\ell}_j{\nu}_{\ell_j}\right)},{R}_{\ell_j}^{\ell_i}(M)=\frac{\mathcal{B}\left(B\to {\ell}_i{\nu}_{\ell_i}\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left(B\to M{\ell}_j{\nu}_{\ell_j}\right)} $$ R M = B B → M ℓ i ν ℓ i B B → M ℓ j ν ℓ j , R ℓ j ℓ i M = B B → ℓ i ν ℓ i B B → M ℓ j ν ℓ j with M = π or ρ and ℓi,j = e, μ or τ. We also discuss the new physics (NP) sensitivities of all these observables and obtain bounds on a few NP Wilson coefficients in b → uτντ decays using the available data. We have noted that the data at present allows sizeable NP contributions in this mode. Also, we have predicted a few angular observables relevant to these decay modes.

Systems-wide analysis of glycoprotein conformational changes by limited deglycosylation assay

A new method to probe the conformational changes of glycoproteins on a systems-wide scale, termed limited deglycosylation assay (LDA), is described. The method measures the differential rate of deglycosylation of N-glycans on natively folded proteins by the common peptide:N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) enzyme which in turn informs on their spatial presentation and solvent exposure on the protein surface hence ultimately the glycoprotein conformation. LDA involves 1) protein-level N-deglycosylation under native conditions, 2) trypsin digestion under denaturing conditions, 3) glycopeptide enrichment, 4) peptide-level N-deglycosylation and 5) quantitative MS-based analysis of the formerly N-glycosylated peptides. LDA was initially developed and the experimental conditions optimized using bovine RNase B and fetuin. The method was then applied to glycoprotein extracts from LLC-MK2 epithelial cells upon treatment with dithiothreitol to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and promote protein misfolding. Data from the LDA and 3D structure analysis showed that glycoproteins predominantly undergo structural changes in loops/turns upon ER stress as exemplified with detailed analysis of ephrin-A5, GALNT10, PVR and BCAM. These results show that LDA accurately reports on systems-wide conformational changes of glycoproteins induced under controlled treatment regimes. Thus, LDA opens avenues to study glycoprotein structural changes in a range of other physiological and pathophysiological conditions relevant to acute and chronic diseases.

Developmental Changes in Food Perception and Preference

Food choices are a key determinant of dietary intake, with involved brain regions such as the mesolimbic and prefrontal cortex maturing at a differential rate from childhood to young adulthood. However, developmental changes in healthy and unhealthy food perception and preference remain poorly understood. We aimed to understand this gap by investigating whether perceptions and preferences for food vary as a function of age, and how specific food attributes (i.e., taste and health) impact these age-related changes. We hypothesized that there would be an inverted U-shaped relationship between age and preference for high-calorie foods. As well, we expected that both dietary self-control and the decision weight of the health attribute would increase with age. One hundred thirty-nine participants aged 8–23 years (79 males, 60 females) participated in this study. They completed computerized rating tasks to assess taste, health, and liking (or preference) of high-calorie and low-calorie foods, followed by 100 binary food choices based on each participant’s individual ratings for taste and health. Among the 100 pairs, 75 were deemed challenge trials, where one food had a higher taste rating but a lower health rating than the other food item. Dietary self-control was considered successful when the healthier food cue in the challenge trial was chosen, and self-control success ratio (SCSR) was computed as the proportion of self-control success trials over the total number of choices. Results showed that high-calorie foods were rated as more tasty (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and less healthy (r = -0.22, p < 0.01) with increasing age. As well, older participants wanted to eat high-calorie foods more than the younger participants (r = 0.29, p = 0.001). Furthermore, older age was associated with an increased decision weight of taste attribute on food preferences (r = 0.26, p = 0.002), suggesting that the taste attribute may contribute to the age-related increases in preference for high-calorie foods. Although participants rated low-calorie foods as less tasty (r = -0.17, p = 0.04) and less healthy (r= -0.31, p < 0.001) with increasing age, there was no significant association between age and preference for low-calorie foods. Participants made faster food choices with increasing age (r= -0.31, p < 0.001), which was driven by failed self-control choices (r = -0.23, p = 0.006). There was no significant association between age and SCSR (p = 0.5). Our results are consistent with other studies that demonstrate age-related increases in consumption of calorie-dense foods in youth, and suggest that age may be more relevant to preference for high-calorie than low-calorie foods. Future studies are merited to investigate the neurobiology underlying these developmental changes in food perceptions and preferences.

A Multireceiver Wireless Power Supply System with Power Equalization in Stereoscopic Space

With the rapid development of wireless power transfer (WPT) technology, the traditional single-transceiver WPT system has become more and more advanced; however, it is still difficult to meet its extensive application requirements. Aiming at the wireless charging of mobile phones in public places, electric vehicles (EVs) in multistorey garages, and electronic shelf labels (ESLs) in supermarket merchandise shelves, a multireceiver wireless power supply system with power equalization is proposed. The condition of power equalization is derived according to the equivalent circuit of the proposed WPT system, and the received power can be equally maintained by adjusting the transceiver loop resistance when the total load number or transmission distance changes. A simulation model is established to evaluate the electromagnetic environment of the proposed WPT system, and the results comply with the electromagnetic safety of the ICNIRP-2018 guidelines. Finally, the experimental results show that the power differential rate that meets the power equalization condition is 13 to 17% lower than that of the unsatisfied rate, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed system in terms of power equalization.

First Case of Glyphosate Resistance in Bromus catharticus Vahl.: Examination of Endowing Resistance Mechanisms

Bromus catharticus Vahl. has been used as a valuable forage crop, but it has also been noted as a weed of winter crops and an invader in several countries. In Argentina, a putative glyphosate-resistant population of B. catharticus was identified as a consequence of the lack of effective control with glyphosate in the pre-sowing of wheat. Plant survival and shikimate accumulation analysis demonstrated a lower glyphosate-sensitivity of this population in comparison to a susceptible B. catharticus population. The resistant population was 4-fold more resistant to glyphosate than its susceptible counterpart. There was no evidence of target-site mechanisms of glyphosate resistance or an enhanced capacity to metabolize glyphosate in the resistant population. However, the resistant plants showed a lower foliar retention of glyphosate (138.34 μl solution g−1 dry weight vs. 390.79 μl solution g−1 dry weight), a reduced absorption of 14C-glyphosate (54.18 vs. 73.56%) and lower translocation of 14C-glyphosate from the labeled leaf (27.70 vs. 62.36%). As a result, susceptible plants accumulated a 4.1-fold higher concentration of 14C-glyphosate in the roots compared to resistant plants. The current work describes the first worldwide case of glyphosate resistance in B. catharticus. A reduced foliar retention of herbicide, a differential rate of glyphosate entry into leaves and an altered glyphosate translocation pattern would be the most likely mechanisms of glyphosate exclusion.

Gendered Frames of Mobilization: Differential Participation of Women in Ethno-politics of Darjeeling

While issues related to collective mobilizations have recently attracted considerable attention, little has been done to explore and explain the differential rate of participation of women in different forms of mobilization. While addressing the issues of gender within the charred ethno-politics of Darjeeling, this article will analyse women’s participation in two successive waves of Gorkhaland movements, followed by the recent mobilization for recognition as scheduled tribes. In this regard, the article will highlight how the overt use of violence, followed by the response of the state, contributes significantly towards differential participation in ethnic movements. Looking at the changing ethno-politics of the Darjeeling hills, the article argues that the gender difference within social movements is produced through anchoring frames which use cultural cues to structure the repertoire of the movement.

Improved cyber-physical system captured post-flowering high night temperature impact on yield and quality of field grown wheat

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is essential to maintain food security for a large proportion of the world’s population. With increased risk from abiotic stresses due to climate variability, it is imperative to understand and minimize the negative impact of these stressors, including high night temperature (HNT). Both globally and at regional scales, a differential rate of increase in day and night temperature is observed, wherein night temperatures are increasing at a higher pace and the trend is projected to continue into the future. Previous studies using controlled environment facilities and small field-based removable chambers have shown that post-anthesis HNT stress can induce a significant reduction in wheat grain yield. A prototype was previously developed by utilizing field-based tents allowing for simultaneous phenotyping of popular winter wheat varieties from US Midwest and advanced breeding lines. Hence, the objectives of the study were to (i) design and build a new field-based infrastructure and test and validate the uniformity of HNT stress application on a scaled-up version of the prototype (ii) improve and develop a more sophisticated cyber-physical system to sense and impose post-anthesis HNT stress uniformly through physiological maturity within the scaled-up tents; and (iii) determine the impact of HNT stress during grain filling on the agronomic and grain quality parameters including starch and protein concentration. The system imposed a consistent post-anthesis HNT stress of + 3.8 °C until maturity and maintained uniform distribution of stress which was confirmed by (i) 0.23 °C temperature differential between an array of sensors within the tents and (ii) statistically similar performance of a common check replicated multiple times in each tent. On average, a reduction in grain-filling duration by 3.33 days, kernel weight by 1.25% per °C, grain number by 2.36% per °C and yield by 3.58% per °C increase in night temperature was documented. HNT stress induced a significant reduction in starch concentration indicating disturbed carbon balance. The pilot field-based facility integrated with a robust cyber-physical system provides a timely breakthrough for evaluating HNT stress impact on large diversity panels to enhance HNT stress tolerance across field crops. The flexibility of the cyber-physical system and movement capabilities of the field-based infrastructure allows this methodology to be adaptable to different crops.