Intra- and inter-regional dynamics in cortical-striatal-tegmental networks.

It is increasingly recognized that networks of brain areas work together to accomplish computational goals. However, functional connectivity networks are not often compared between different behavioral states and across different frequencies of electrical oscillatory signals. In addition, connectivity is always defined as the strength of signal relatedness between two atlas-based anatomical locations. Here, we performed an exploratory analysis using data collected from high-density arrays in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum (STR), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of male rats. These areas have all been implicated in a wide range of different tasks and computations including various types of memory as well as reward valuation, habit formation and execution, and skill learning. Novel intraregional clustering analyses identified patterns of spatially restricted, temporally coherent, and frequency-specific signals that were reproducible across days and were modulated by behavioral states. Multiple clusters were identified within each anatomical region, indicating a mesoscopic scale of organization. Generalized eigendecomposition (GED) was used to dimension-reduce each cluster to a single component time series. Dense intercluster connectivity was modulated by behavioral state, with connectivity becoming reduced when the animals were exposed to a novel object, compared with a baseline condition. Behavior-modulated connectivity changes were seen across the spectrum, with δ, θ, and γ all being modulated. These results demonstrate the brain's ability to reorganize functionally at both the intra- and inter-regional levels during different behavioral states.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We applied novel clustering techniques to discover functional subregional anatomical patches that changed with behavioral conditions but were frequency specific and stable across days. By taking into account these changes in intraregional signal generator location and extent, we were able to reveal a richer picture of inter-regional functional connectivity than would otherwise have been possible. These findings reveal that the brain's functional organization changes with state at multiple levels of scale.

Photo-electrochemical Oxidation of Organic C1 Molecules over WO3 Films in Aqueous Electrolyte: Competition Between Water Oxidation and C1 Oxidation.

To better understand organic-molecule-assisted photo-electrochemical water splitting, photo-electrochemistry and on-line mass spectrometry measurements are used to investigate the photo-electrochemical oxidation of the C1 molecules methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid over WO3 film anodes in aqueous solution and its competition with O2 evolution from water oxidation O2 (+) and CO2 (+) ion currents show that water oxidation is strongly suppressed by the organic species. Photo-electro-oxidation of formic acid is dominated by formation of CO2 , whereas incomplete oxidation of formaldehyde and methanol prevails, with the selectivity for CO2 formation increasing with increasing potential and light intensity. The mechanistic implications for the photo-electro-oxidation of the organic molecules and its competition with water oxidation, which could be derived from this novel approach, are discussed.

Synchronous Orbital and Gastrointestinal Metastases from Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. With the advent of improved imaging techniques and screening programmes, only a small proportion of women present with metastatic disease. Metastases involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and orbit are rare occurrences. We describe the case of a woman with simultaneous GI and orbital metastases from breast cancer who initially presented with abdominal pain and blurred vision and also summarise a review of the literature.

A novel photoelectrochemical flow cell with online mass spectrometric detection: oxidation of formic acid on a nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode.

A novel thin-layer photoelectrochemical flow cell allowing the online mass spectrometric detection of volatile reaction products during photoelectrocatalytic reactions has been developed and applied for separating the contributions from photoelectrochemical water splitting and photoelectrooxidation of formic acid to the overall photocurrent in formic acid containing aqueous solution, using a nanocrystalline TiO2 (P25) thin-film electrode. The data reveal a clear suppression of the water oxidation reaction to O2 in the presence of formic acid. Advantages of this flow cell design over conventional photoelectrochemical cells with stagnant electrolyte in terms of mass transport will be demonstrated and discussed.

The influence of reactive side products in electrocatalytic reactions: methanol oxidation as case study.

The role and impact of follow-up processes involving reactive side products in an electrocatalytic reaction is demonstrated for the electrooxidation of methanol at a Pt electrode. By using combined in situ infrared spectroscopy and online mass spectrometry and employing isotope-labeling techniques, it is shown that even small amounts of the incomplete oxidation products formaldehyde and formic acid have pronounced effects on the reaction.

Breast cancer patient stories project.

OBJECTIVE: It is estimated that there are almost half a million women living with or beyond a breast cancer diagnosis in the UK, often referred to as the breast cancer survivor population. We report on the setting up of a dedicated breast cancer and menopause symptoms service (BCMS), and present results from research undertaken with breast cancer survivors with the aim of obtaining their perspectives on the BCMS service. METHOD: An action-oriented approach incorporating improvement science methodology has been used to help develop and drive changes to support a high standard of NHS patient care delivery for women with breast cancer within the BCMS setting. Evaluation was undertaken of this innovative service using qualitative methodology, and included discussion within a focus group setting, patient consent to record discussion, followed by thematic analysis of transcription. RESULTS: Women who have survived breast cancer identified a need for specialist support to help improve their quality of life, which is also affected by menopause type symptomology. This support can be provided within the BCMS service setting. Our recommendations are that the BCMS service model is incorporated into any regional or national breast cancer patient pathway and service redesign work in place. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer survivors would support the setting up of a BCMS service, and would actively help raise awareness and market this service.

Substrate registry in disordered layers of large molecules.

We present a statistic evaluation of the azimuth orientations of flat-adsorbed oligopyridine molecules in disordered adlayers on Au(111) and (111) oriented Ag-adlayers on Ru(0001). On both surfaces, we find a strong preference for a set of twelve angles, which belong to one specific, unsymmetrical alignment and its symmetry equivalents. These angles are also those that exclusively occur in more densely packed, ordered structures on the same surfaces. We describe a geometric fitting algorithm, which correctly predicts these angles, and which only requires the substrate lattice and the positions of the nitrogen atoms within the flat-adsorbed molecule as input parameters. Such predictions are particularly valuable to reduce the parameter space in structure simulations [C. Rohr, M. Balbás Gambra, K. Gruber, E. C. Constable, E. Frey, T. Franosch, B. A. Hermann, Nano Lett. 2009, 10, 833].