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Introduction: Schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by different psychopathological manifestations and divergent clinical trajectories. Various alterations at glutamatergic synapses have been reported in both disorders, including abnormal NMDA and metabotropic receptor signaling. Methods: We conducted a bicentric study to assess the blood serum levels of NMDA receptors-related glutamatergic amino acids and their precursors, including L-glutamate, L-glutamine, D-aspartate, L-aspartate, L-asparagine, Dserine, L-serine and glycine, in ASD, SCZ patients and their respective control subjects. Specifically, the SCZ patients were subdivided into treatment-resistant and non-treatment-resistant SCZ patients, based on their responsivity to conventional antipsychotics. Results: D-serine and D-aspartate serum reductions were found in SCZ patients compared to controls. Conversely, no significant differences between cases and controls were found in amino acid concentrations in the two ASD cohorts analyzed. Discussion: This result further encourages future research to evaluate the predictive role of selected D-amino acids as peripheral markers for SCZ pathophysiology and diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physiology and behavior are structured temporally to anticipate daily cycles of light and dark, ensuring fitness and survival. Neuromodulatory systems in the brain—including those involving serotonin and dopamine—exhibit daily oscillations in neural activity and help shape circadian rhythms. Disrupted neuromodulation can cause circadian abnormalities that are thought to underlie several neuropsychiatric disorders, including bipolar mania and schizophrenia, for which a mechanistic understanding is still lacking. Here, we show that genetically depleting serotonin in Tph2 knockout mice promotes manic-like behaviors and disrupts daily oscillations of the dopamine biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in midbrain dopaminergic nuclei. Specifically, while TH mRNA and protein levels in the Substantia Nigra (SN) and Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) of wild-type mice doubled between the light and dark phase, TH levels were high throughout the day in Tph2 knockout mice, suggesting a hyperdopaminergic state. Analysis of TH expression in striatal terminal fields also showed blunted rhythms. Additionally, we found low abundance and blunted rhythmicity of the neuropeptide cholecystokinin (Cck) in the VTA of knockout mice, a neuropeptide whose downregulation has been implicated in manic-like states in both rodents and humans. Altogether, our results point to a previously unappreciated serotonergic control of circadian dopamine signaling and propose serotonergic dysfunction as an upstream mechanism underlying dopaminergic deregulation and ultimately maladaptive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details the development of an inexpensive, power-efficient, and lightweight radiation detection system specifically designed for deployment on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The system addresses the need for swift, remote radiation detection capabilities during radiological and nuclear emergencies, a demand emphasized by events such as the Fukushima accident in 2011. The design is based on readily accessible components, which lessens reliance on costly, specialized hardware like FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The proposed system comprises two types of detectors: inorganic scintillators, specifically CsI:tl and GAGG:ce, paired with Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for gamma-ray detection, and solid-state detectors provided with a 6Li converter for thermal neutron detection. These detectors operate independently, increasing redundancy and system reliability. The system’s performance, evaluated through extensive testing, has shown significant improvements in linearity and noise characteristics over previous iterations. Beyond its primary function in emergency response, the system could find applicability in diverse fields such as environmental radiation monitoring, geological surveys, industrial inspections, and scientific research.

This paper presents the design, assembly, and performance investigation of an optoelectronic readout system specifically designed to enhance the real-time readout capabilities of Superheated Drop Detectors (SDDs). SDDs as fast neutron detectors have been widely used in different areas such as homeland security, radiation protection, and personal dosimetry. In homeland security, SDDs showed the potential of detecting prompt fission neutrons from special nuclear materials in radiation portal monitor systems, possibly positioning them as a valuable alternative to He-3 detectors. In radiation protection and personal dosimetry, downsized SDDs may be employed to assess the level of exposure of workers in nuclear energy production facilities or as a tool to perform photoneutron contamination studies of medical and research accelerators. The proposed readout system utilizes lightemitting diodes to illuminate the detectors, while photodiodes are employed to record the integral value of scattered light resulting from bubbles’ formation, a consequence of neutron interaction. To validate the behavior of the system, comprehensive field testing was conducted after assembling and integrating it with custom-made 3D printed structures tailored for different SDD geometry, and the reader was utilized to examine the optical and detection characteristics of different SDD compositions under various ionizing radiation conditions. The potential to actively read out SDDs in real-time represents a significant advancement for this radiation detection technology, particularly in fields such as radiation protection and industrial applications, and it provides valuable insights for future enhancements in the field of neutron radiation detection.

The production of abstract engravings is considered an indicator of modern human cognition and a means for the long-term recording and transmission of information. This article reports the discovery of two engraved bones from the Lingjing site in Henan Province, China, dated to 105-125 kya. The carefully engraved nature of the incisions, made on weathered rib fragments, precludes the possibility of unintentional or utilitarian origins. Residue analysis demonstrates the presence of ochre within the incised lines on one specimen. This research provides the first evidence for the deliberate use of ochred engravings for symbolic purposes by East Asian Late Pleistocene hominins. Keywords: East Asia, China, Late Pleistocene, symbolism, art, ochre, Introduction Opinions differ between those who consider archaic hominin cognition to be comparable to that of anatomically modern humans (e.g. Hovers & Belfer-Cohen 2006; Nowell 2010; d'Errico & Stringer 2011; [...]

This work explores the potential of carbon dots as a fluorescent probe in the determination of heavy ions and as an electrochemical biosensor. It also discusses how carbon dots can be introduced into the Fricke solution to potentially serve as an ionizing radiation sensor. The study presents a novel tissue equivalent dosimeter carbon dots‐based as an ionizing radiation sensor. The methodology for the synthesis of Nitrogen‐doped Carbon Dots N‐CDs and the characterization of the material are described. The results show that the N‐CDs have a high sensitivity to ionizing radiation and can be used as a dosimeter for radiation detection. The study also discusses the limitations and challenges of using carbon dots as a dosimeter for ionizing radiation. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential applications of carbon dots in different fields and highlights the importance of further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the challenges posed by the interdisciplinary collaboration that led to the recent Nature article presenting results of the extraction of ancient human DNA from a perforated deer tooth found in Denisova Cave. We provide a critical analysis of the contextual data that directly impacts the interpretation of the genetic data and the evaluation of the potential of the new DNA extraction technique for future studies. We discuss in greater detail Denisova, the only site that has produced truly exploitable palaeogenetic results. We highlight major unresolved dating inconsistencies at Denisova that need inquiry and explanation. We also emphasize the lack of an appropriate theoretical framework in the analysis of the tooth, of information on the lateralization, sex, age, perforation technique, wear, on the ochre residues, and the release of erroneous information on the associated faunal assemblage. We conclude that quality archaeological data and their sound evaluation should complement paleogenetic data to create unified, reliable, and verifiable narratives about human history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]