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The transcription factor cAMP responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) has a complex influence on behavioural responses to drugs of abuse which varies depending on the brain region in which it is expressed. In response to drug exposure, CREB1 is phosphorylated in the striatum, a structure that is critically involved in reward-related learning.The present study assessed the role of striatal CREB1 and its coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) in behavioural responses to psychostimulants.Using the 'cre/lox' recombination system, we generated mice with a postnatal deletion of CREB1 or CBP directed to medium spiny neurons of the striatum. qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm the deletion, and mice were assessed with respect to their locomotor response to acute cocaine (20 mg/kg), cocaine sensitization (10 mg/kg), amphetamine-induced stereotypies (10 mg/kg) and ethanol-induced hypnosis (3.5 g/kg).Here we show that CREB1 mutant mice have increased sensitivity to psychostimulants, an effect that does not generalise to ethanol-induced hypnosis. Furthermore, in the absence of CREB1, there is rapid postnatal upregulation of the related transcription factor CREM, indicating possible redundancy amongst this family of transcription factors. Finally striatal deletion of CBP, a coactivator for the CREB1/CREM signalling pathway, results in an even more increased sensitivity to psychostimulants.These data suggest that striatal CREB1 regulates sensitivity to psychostimulants and that CREM acting via CBP is able to partially compensate in the absence of CREB1 signalling.

Abstract The stopping power of large (H2)n-clusters in silicon is analyzed as a function of the cluster size and the cluster velocity. A dielectric formalism is used to describe the electronic interaction between the projectile and the target. The intramolecular and intermolecular interference effects in the cluster energy loss are evaluated as a function of the cluster velocity. For high velocities and large clusters the intermolecular collective effects dominate in the cluster stopping power. For each cluster velocity we find a resonant cluster size for which the intermolecular stopping power clearly shows a maximum and it saturates to a constant value for larger clusters. The radius of this resonant cluster and the maximum stopping power are proportional to the cluster velocity.

We report on the magnetic properties of NdFeB powders produced by gas atomization, which is a powder manufacturing technology scarcely used in the past to produce such alloys. Using this technique, we have produced several ternary NdFeB alloys with Nd contents between 26.9 wt.% and 28.5 wt.%. The as-atomized powders were split into different size fractions by sieving. Subsequently, we measured the magnetic properties as a function of temperature, between 10 and 400 K, and particle size. The magnetic behavior depends strongly on the microstructure of the material, which in turn is determined by the particle size. It is reported a slope anomaly in the curve of magnetization as a function of temperature at around 150 K due to a spin-reorientation transition. Since gas-atomized powders are isotropic, this magnetic transition produces an increment of the magnetization below this temperature.

Abstract Cities globally face significant risks from climate change, and are taking an increasingly active role in formulating and implementing climate change adaptation policy. However, there are few, if any, global assessments of adaptation taking place across cities. This study develops and applies a framework to track urban climate change adaptation policy using municipal adaptation reporting. From 401 local governments globally in urban areas with >1 m people, we find that only 61 cities (15%) report any adaptation initiatives, and 73 cities (18%) report on planning towards adaptation policy. We classified cities based on their adaptation reporting as extensive adaptors, moderate adaptors, early stage adaptors, and non-reporting. With few exceptions, extensive adaptors are large cities located in high-income countries in North America, Europe, and Oceania, and are adapting to a variety of expected impacts. Moderate adaptors usually address general disaster risk reduction rather than specific impacts, and are located in a mix of developed and developing countries. Early stage adaptors exhibit evidence of planning for adaptation, but do not report any initiatives. Our findings suggest that urban adaptation is in the early stages, but there are still substantive examples of governments taking leadership regardless of wealth levels and institutional barriers.

Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with photoanodes composed of chirality selected single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been fabricated and tested for first time. Single chirality SWCNTs separation (93% purity) have been achieved by modifying standard size exclusion gel chromatography. Chirality selection has allowed for “tuning” of the energy barrier at the TiO2/SWNT/FTO interface, electronic conductivity enhancement, and reduced SWCNTs-ruthenium dye competition for light absorption resulting in a 81% energy conversion efficiency improvement compared to mixed chirality cells. Unfortunately, energy conversion efficiency has been limited by cells’ low shunt resistance. Additionally, SWCNTs electron transfer properties have been exploited to prepare mixed and chirality specific CNTs based DSSCs’ counter electrodes.

To review the clinimetric quality of motion sensors used to assess physical activity in healthy children and adolescents (2-18 years).A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and SpycINFO. The clinimetric quality of two pedometers (Digi-Walker, Pedoboy), four one-dimensional accelerometers (LSI, Caltrac, Actiwatch, CSA/ActiGraph), and three three-dimensional accelerometers (Tritrac-R3D, RT3, Tracmor2) was evaluated and compared using a 20-item checklist.Overall, the quality of the studies (n = 35), and therefore the level of evidence for the reproducibility, validity, and feasibility of the motion sensors was modest (mean = 6.4 +/- 1.6 out of 14 points). There was strong evidence for a good reproducibility of the Caltrac in adolescents (12-18 years), a poor reproducibility of the Digi-Walker in children (8-12 years), a good validity of the CSA/ActiGraph in children and adolescents (8-18 years), and a good validity of the Tritrac-R3D in children (8-12 years).The CSA/ActiGraph and the Caltrac are the only motion sensors in which the reproducibility, validity, and feasibility have been examined in different age groups. Further studies of the reproducibility of motion sensors in preschool children, improvement of the quality of clinimetric studies, and evaluation of the acceptability of motion sensors are warranted.

The scaling of thin film photovoltaics to a commercially viable size relies on the series connection of multiple small cells into modules. These interconnections are typically formed by three patterning steps, each of which have an impact on the series resistance and consequently on the total module performance. Here, we implement the transmission line method for the complete analysis of the P2 patterning step of the photoactive layer in organic photovoltaic modules. Devices are investigated with a sample design that allows for a comparative study of the P2 connection on the solar cell performance. We compare subtractive mechanical scribing to a newly developed additive pre-patterning method for the P2 step. Aerosol Jet printed pre-patterning lines of low surface energy and conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) modified with a fluorosurfactant repel the subsequently spray coated photoactive layer. Furthermore, the influence of MoO3 in the P2 pattern is elucidated, displaying a substantial increase in series resistance and decrease in device performance.