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Post-fire changes to the transport regime of dry ravel, which describes the gravity-driven transport of individual particles downslope, are poorly constrained but critical to understand as ravel may contribute to elevated sediment fluxes and associated debris flow activity observed post-fire in the western United States. In this study, we evaluated post-fire variability in dry ravel travel distance exceedance probabilities and disentrainment rates in the Diablo Range of central coastal California following the Santa Clara Unit Lightning Complex fire of August 2020. Between March 2021 and March 2022, we conducted repeat field experiments simulating ravel with in situ particles (3–35 mm diameter) on a range of experimental surface gradients (0.38–0.81) on both grassy south-facing slopes and oak woodland north-facing slopes. We characterized post-fire evolution in particle transport by fitting a probabilistic Lomax distribution model to the empirical travel distance exceedance probabilities for each experimental particle size, surface gradient, and time period. The resulting Lomax shape and scale parameters were used to identify the transport regime for each subset of simulated ravel, ranging from “bounded” (light-tailed or local) to “runaway” (heavy-tailed or nonlocal) motion. Our experimental results indicated that as vegetation recovered over the first 2 years post-fire, the behavior of small particles (median intermediate axis of 6 mm) became less similar across the experimental sites due to different vegetation structures, whereas medium and large particles (median intermediate axes of 13 and 28 mm, respectively) exhibited a general transition from more runaway to more bounded transport, and large particles became less sensitive to surface gradient. All particle sizes exhibited a decrease in the length scale of transport with time. Of all particle subsets, larger particles on steeper slopes were more likely to experience nonlocal transport, consistent with previous observations and theory. These findings are further corroborated by hillslope and channel deposits, which suggest that large particles were preferentially evacuated from the hillslope to the channel during or immediately after the fire. Our results indicate that nonlocal transport of in situ particles likely occurs in the experimental study catchment, and the presence of wildfire increases the likelihood of nonlocal transport, particularly on steeper slopes.

Abstract The U1 snRNP complex recognizes pre-mRNA splicing sites in the early stages of spliceosome assembly and suppresses premature cleavage and polyadenylation. Its dysfunction may precede Alzheimer’s disease (AD) hallmarks. Here we evaluated the effects of a synthetic single-stranded cDNA (APT20TTMG) that interacts with U1 snRNP, in iPSC-derived neurons from a donor diagnosed with AD and in the SAMP8 mouse model. APT20TTMG effectively binds to U1 snRNP, specifically decreasing TAU in AD neurons, without changing mitochondrial activity or glutamate. Treatment enhanced neuronal electrical activity, promoted an enrichment of differentially expressed genes related to key processes affected by AD. In SAMP8 mice, APT20TTMG reduced insoluble pTAU in the hippocampus, amyloid-beta and GFAP in the cortex, and U1-70 K in both brain regions, without cognitive changes. This study highlights the correction of the U1 snRNP complex as a new target for AD.

Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization processes can affect the physical and chemical properties of volcanic rocks. Aggressive acidic degassing and fluid flow often also lead to changes in the appearance of a rock, such as changes in surface coloration or intense bleaching. Although hydrothermal alteration can have far-reaching consequences for rock stability and permeability, limited knowledge exists on the detailed structures, extent, and dynamic changes that take place near the surface of hydrothermal venting systems. By integrating drone-based photogrammetry with mineralogical and chemical analyses of rock samples and surface gas flux, we investigate the structure of the evolving volcanic degassing and alteration system at the La Fossa cone on the island of Vulcano, Italy. Our image analysis combines principal component analysis (PCA) with image classification and thermal analysis through which we identify an area of approximately 70 000 m2 that outlines the maximum extent of hydrothermal alteration effects at the surface, represented by a shift in rock color from reddish to gray. Within this area, we identify distinct gradients of surface coloration and temperature that indicate a local variability in the degassing and alteration intensity and define several structural units within the fumarole field. At least seven such larger units of increased activity could be constrained. Through mineralogical and geochemical analysis of samples from the different alteration units, we define a relationship between surface appearance in drone imagery and the mineralogical and chemical composition. Gradients in surface color from reddish to gray correlate with a reduction in Fe2O3 from up to 3.2 % in the unaltered regime to 0.3 % in the altered regime, and the latter coincides with the area of increased diffuse acid gas flux. As the pixel brightness increases towards higher alteration gradients, we note a loss of the initial (igneous) mineral fraction and a change in the bulk chemical composition with a concomitant increase in sulfur content from close to 0 % in the unaltered samples to up to 60 % in samples from the altered domains. Using this approach of combined remote-sensing and in situ analyses, we define and spatially constrain several alteration units and compare them to the present-day thermally active surface and degassing pattern over the main crater area. The combined results permit us to present a detailed anatomy of the La Fossa fumarole field, including high-temperature fumaroles and seven larger units of increased alteration intensity, surface temperature, and variably intense surface degassing. Importantly, we also identify apparently sealed surface domains that prevent degassing, likely as a consequence of mineral precipitation from degassing and alteration processes. By assessing the thermal energy release of the identified spatial units quantitatively, we show that thermal radiation of high-temperature fumaroles accounts for < 50 % of the total thermal energy release only and that the larger part is emitted by diffuse degassing units. The integrated use of methods presented here has proven to be a useful combination for a detailed characterization of alteration and activity patterns of volcanic degassing sites and has the potential for application in alteration research and for the monitoring of volcanic degassing systems.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contact, education, and employment opportunities have fundamentally changed worldwide. However, various studies have pointed out that not everyone is equally affected by the changed circumstances. This paper focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the study situation in German higher education and explores the question to what extent the pandemic has led to increasing or decreasing social inequalities. Building on social stratification research and Tinto's model of social and academic integration we focus on dropout intentions of traditionally disadvantaged student groups--students with disabilities, with children, from families with lower levels of education, and with a migrant background. Based on comparable data from a German-wide representative student survey 'Studying in Corona Times' (2020) and data from the '21st Social Survey' (2016) our analysis shows to what extent the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced students' dropout intentions in Germany and which vulnerable student groups are particularly affected. The results of our logistic regression analysis indicate that compared to 2016 social inequalities in dropout intention have increased significantly in all vulnerable student groups. In particular, students with disabilities and students with children have a higher risk of intending to drop out in 2020.

Many species exhibit social living which offers ecological advantages such as increased foraging opportunities, more efficient locomotion and reduced predation risk. Additionally, exposure to multiple individuals of the same species can decrease an individual’s stress and metabolic demand, termed social buffering. If disruption to an animal’s social structure occurs and prevents social buffering, an elevated metabolic rate and thus ventilation frequency and gill permeability are likely. A potential consequence of this physiological response could be the increased accumulation of toxicants. The objective of this study was to investigate whether inducing social stress in marine threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) through social isolation during a sublethal water-borne copper (Cu) exposure would affect Cu uptake and whether that would translate to differences in behaviour and biochemical functioning. We hypothesized that isolating threespine stickleback during a Cu exposure would increase Cu uptake and sublethal toxicity compared to a grouped exposure. Wild-caught fish were exposed to control, low Cu or high Cu conditions (0 – 150 µg/L of Cu, nominally), either in isolation or groups of six for 96 h. Isolated stickleback travelled three times less distance, took six times longer to consume food and exhibited moderately increased gill sodium-potassium ATPase activity than group exposed fish, with no effect of Cu. Isolated stickleback also demonstrated significantly higher Cu levels in their gill and liver tissue compared to the group exposed fish. However, this Cu distribution was also present within the control fish, which had not been exposed to Cu, suggesting that the social context affects endogenous Cu distribution under stressful conditions. Our results illustrate the differences in physiology and behaviour that can arise when social contexts are manipulated and stress the importance of considering sociality when conducting toxicity tests with social organisms.

Abstract Objectives Autologous dentin grafts derived from extracted teeth have shown promise as bone graft materials for promoting bone regeneration. This retrospective case series aimed to evaluate clinical, radiographic, and histologic outcomes of using autologous dentin matrices in various bone regeneration procedures. Materials and Methods This case series included 26 eligible patients and encompassed 4 socket preservation cases, 5 cases of guided tissue regeneration, 5 cases of guided bone regeneration (GBR), 10 cases of sinus augmentation procedures, 2 immediate placement implants, and 2 socket shields. Dentin grafts were prepared from extracted teeth, cleaned, and processed. These grafts were combined with platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) to create adhesive dentin matrices, then covered with collagen membranes for simultaneous guided bone augmentation cases. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were conducted before surgery and 4 months postoperatively to assess ridge dimensions. Histologic evaluation was performed through bone core biopsies for socket preservation cases at the 4‐month mark. Results A total of 42 implants were placed in 26 patients, with an average follow‐up of 32 months. Notably, two implant failures occurred following lateral maxillary sinus augmentation. CBCT scans at the 4‐month interval revealed bone coverage over implant platforms in the majority of cases. Histologic analysis from two cases of socket preservation demonstrated dentin granules enveloped by newly formed bone undergoing continuous remodeling. The quantitative histomorphometric assessment revealed a bone area of 42.8 ± 3.56%, a remaining graft area of 19.05 ± 4.58%, and a viable bone of 38.15 ± 7.84%. Conclusions The utilization of autologous dentin particles mixed with PRF proved effective as an alternative to conventional bone graft materials in GBR and maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. Larger controlled clinical trials are recommended to further substantiate these findings.

Mycobacterium abscessus infections have been reported as adverse events related to medical tourism. We report M. abscessus meningitis in a patient who traveled from Colorado, USA, to Mexico to receive intrathecal stem cell injections as treatment for multiple sclerosis. We also review the management of this challenging central nervous system infection.

Abstract In the wake of COVID-19, study conditions in Europe have changed dramatically. To limit contact between students and teachers, since March 2020 teaching has largely taken place digitally (remotely via digital means) and in private. Because the success of digital learning likely relies on many factors beyond good digital infrastructure conditions, this article focuses on which aspects, at both the teacher and the student levels, promote digital learning success. The large-scale student survey “Studying in Times of the Corona Pandemic” conducted at German universities and universities of applied sciences in the summer semester of 2020 offers data on how COVID-19 has affected several aspects of university studying in Germany. Here, we consider this data within the theoretical framework “theory of transactional distance” introduced by Moore (in: Moore (ed) Handbook of distance education, Routledge, 2018), according to which the success of digital teaching is influenced by dialogue, structure, and learner autonomy. Based on various regression analyses, our results show that several (digital) framework conditions must be created on both the teacher and student levels to achieve sufficient digital learning success. In this sense, our findings provide guidance on which aspects institutions of higher education should focus on when developing or updating their digitalization strategies. In accordance with collaborative learning approaches a key factor for learning success appears to be enabling peer-to-peer interactions. This finding supports our prediction that the possibility of engaging in interactive learning activities is crucial for students’ learning experience, as it might reduce the perception of transactional distance and allow for social exchange. The strongest predictor of students’ learning success turned out to be the (perceived) digital competencies of the teachers. This finding clearly emphasizes that teachers must be qualified to address the very specific challenges of teaching in digital contexts and indicates that universities may need to implement more teacher qualification programs.

The PERCIVAL detector is a CMOS imager designed for the soft X-ray regime at photon sources. Although still in its final development phase, it has recently seen its first user experiments: ptychography at a free-electron laser, holographic imaging at a storage ring and preliminary tests on X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. The detector performed remarkably well in terms of spatial resolution achievable in the sample plane, owing to its small pixel size, large active area and very large dynamic range; but also in terms of its frame rate, which is significantly faster than traditional CCDs. In particular, it is the combination of these features which makes PERCIVAL an attractive option for soft X-ray science.

The new in situ geodynamic laboratory established in the framework of the ICDP Eger project aims to develop the most modern, comprehensive, multiparameter laboratory at depth for studying earthquake swarms, crustal fluid flow, mantle-derived CO2 and helium degassing, and processes of the deep biosphere. In order to reach a new level of high-frequency, near-source and multiparameter observation of earthquake swarms and related phenomena, such a laboratory comprises a set of shallow boreholes with high-frequency 3-D seismic arrays as well as modern continuous real-time fluid monitoring at depth and the study of the deep biosphere. This laboratory is located in the western part of the Eger Rift at the border of the Czech Republic and Germany (in the West Bohemia–Vogtland geodynamic region) and comprises a set of five boreholes around the seismoactive zone. To date, all monitoring boreholes have been drilled. This includes the seismic monitoring boreholes S1, S2 and S3 in the crystalline units north and east of the major Nový Kostel seismogenic zone, borehole F3 in the Hartoušov mofette field and borehole S4 in the newly discovered Bažina maar near Libá. Supplementary borehole P1 is being prepared in the Neualbenreuth maar for paleoclimate and biological research. At each of these sites, a borehole broadband seismometer will be installed, and sites S1, S2 and S3 will also host a 3-D seismic array composed of a vertical geophone chain and surface seismic array. Seismic instrumenting has been completed in the S1 borehole and is in preparation in the remaining four monitoring boreholes. The continuous fluid monitoring site of Hartoušov includes three boreholes, F1, F2 and F3, and a pilot monitoring phase is underway. The laboratory also enables one to analyze microbial activity at CO2 mofettes and maar structures in the context of changes in habitats. The drillings into the maar volcanoes contribute to a better understanding of the Quaternary paleoclimate and volcanic activity.

Programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) occurs in many viruses including SARS-CoV-2 to allow the translation of multiple proteins from a single transcript. Here, the authors identify the human short isoform of the zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP-S) as a direct regulator of PRF in SARS-CoV-2 that severely impairs SARS-CoV-2 frameshifting in cells and directly interacts with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA; interfering with the folding of the frameshift RNA element.

In order to better understand both the fixation and migration of gases in evaporites, investigations were performed in five horizontal boreholes drilled in an underground potash seam. One of the five boreholes was pressurised with Ar and the pressure signal and chemical gas composition were then monitored in the other holes. A further gas sample from a separate borehole was characterised for the chemical composition and for noble gas and carbon isotopic compositions to conclude on the origin and evolution of the gas in the salt rocks. Additionally, in order to determine the total gas amount in the salt rocks, a potash-bearing salt sample was dissolved in water and from the mass of 1 kg salt sample, 9 cm(STP)3 gas was liberated. Due to the relatively large permeability of the disturbed salt rocks (4×10-17 to 4×10-18 m2), which is about 3–4 orders of magnitude higher than in undisturbed salt rocks, we assume that the migration of injected Ar most likely takes place along micro-cracks produced during the mining process. The geogenic gas concentrations found in the observation holes correlate directly to the Ar concentration, suggesting that they were stripped from the rocks in between the holes. According to the He-isotopes (0.092 Ra), a small contribution of mantle gas can be found in the geogenic salt gas. The δ13CCO2-isotopic composition (−7.8 ‰ to 6.7 ‰) indicates a magmatic source, whereas 13C∕12C of CH4 (−22.2 ‰ to −21.3 ‰) is typical for a thermogenic gas. We assume that CO2 and CH4 are related to volcanic activity, where they isotopically equilibrated at temperatures of 513 to 519 ∘C about 15–16 Ma ago.

Small steam-driven volcanic explosions are common at volcanoes worldwide but are rarely documented or monitored; therefore, these events still put residents and tourists at risk every year. Steam-driven explosions also occur frequently (once every 2–5 years on average) at Lascar volcano, Chile, where they are often spontaneous and lack any identifiable precursor activity. Here, for the first time at Lascar, we describe the processes culminating in such a sudden volcanic explosion that occurred on 30 October 2015, which was thoroughly monitored by cameras, a seismic network, and gas and temperature sensors. Prior to the eruption, we retrospectively identified unrest manifesting as a gradual increase in the number of long-period (LP) seismic events in 2014, indicating an enhanced level of activity at the volcano. Additionally, sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux and thermal anomalies were detected before the eruption. Then, our weather station reported a precipitation event, followed by an increase in steaming and a sudden volcanic explosion at Lascar. The multidisciplinary data exhibited short-term variations associated with the explosion, including (1) an abrupt eruption onset that was seismically identified in the 1–10 Hz frequency band, (2) the detection of a 1.7 km high white-gray eruption column in camera images, and (3) a pronounced spike in SO2 emission rates reaching 55 kg s−1 during the main pulse of the eruption as measured by a mini-differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) scanner. Continuous carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature measurements conducted at a fumarole on the southern rim of the Lascar crater revealed a pronounced change in the trend of the relationship between the CO2 mixing ratio and the gas outlet temperature; we speculate that this change was associated with the prior precipitation event. An increased thermal anomaly inside the active crater as observed in Sentinel-2 images and drone overflights performed after the steam-driven explosion revealed the presence of a ∼50 m long fracture truncating the floor of the active crater, which coincides well with the location of the thermal anomaly. This study presents the chronology of events culminating in a steam-driven explosion but also demonstrates that phreatic explosions are difficult to predict, even if the volcano is thoroughly monitored; these findings emphasize why ascending to the summits of Lascar and similar volcanoes is hazardous, particularly after considerable precipitation.

Salt caverns from solution mining in bedded or domal saline structures are of increasing importance as temporary subsurface storage space to buffer fluctuating renewables and secure a stable energy supply. To assure the integrity of caverns during operation and long term abandonment, knowledge of geochemical rock–water interactions in the transition zone between cavity and salt rock is necessary. Due to the inaccessibility of cavern walls, a set of lab-based experiments were performed in hand-sized specimens by creating cm-sized cavities using fresh water injection and brine removal. The experimental simulations proved challenging and vacuum pressure tests revealed frequent leakage subsequent to borehole preparation. The samples were cut to expose the formed cavity and its margin. Micro X-ray Fluorescence mapping was employed to obtain information on element distributions and showed a clear separation between Na, Mg and K salt layers. XRF mapping represents a suitable technique to track spatial mineralogical changes related to rock-fluid interaction in salt rocks. Fluorescent liquids were used to visualize potential fluid pathways. First results show that these methods are promising in detecting geochemical changes and their extent and are, thus, useful tools in unravelling geochemical processes related to marginal areas of cavernous structures in salt deposits based on lab-scale simulations.

Storage caverns are increasingly located in heterogeneous salt deposits and filled with various fluids. The knowledge of phase behaviour in heterogeneous systems of salt, liquid and gas and the requirements for reliable analytical techniques is, therefore, of growing interest. A method that allows for the continuous monitoring of mineral compositions at distinct humidity and gas content using XRD measurements is presented here. Various saliniferous mineral compositions have been investigated in pure CO2, N2 or CH4 atmospheres with varying humidity in a closed chamber. All mineral compositions experience dissolution and/or mineral conversion reaction accompanied by volume loss. Dissolution-recrystallization reactions of complex mineral assemblages involving halite, sylvite, kieserite, carnallite and kainite were observed using this method. For carnallite-rich mineral assemblages, the mineral conversion from carnallite to sylvite was observed when humidity exceeded 50 % RH. In the presence of CO2, acidification of the aqueous phase occurs which enhances the dissolution rate and reaction kinetics.

Between 2004 and 2017 the storage of CO2 in a deep saline aquifer was investigated in detail at the Ketzin pilot site close to Berlin. The series of research projects, coordinated by the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, also incorporated an interdisciplinary scientific monitoring program during all phases of the storage process which provided a reliable insight into the overall behaviour of CO2 during storage in the underground.Prior to abandonment and cementing of the Ktzi 203 observation well, two side tracks were cored from 643.1 to 662.6 m and from 624.5 to 654.5 m, respectively. The drilled sections included the transition zone from the cap rock (Weser Formation) to the reservoir in the Stuttgart Formation which had been exposed to the injected CO2 for more than nine years. During the drilling operation continuous mud gas logging was performed by applying a mud gas separator, a mass spectrometer and a CO2 isotope-analyser for continuous separation and analyses of the extracted gas. Drill cores were shrink-wrapped with plastic foil to collect discharging gases.CO2 concentrations in the cap rock were relatively low and their isotopic compositions were in accord with typical Upper Triassic formation fluids providing no evidence for a significant CO2 infiltration from the underlying reservoir into the cap rock. A clear increase in the CO2 concentration and a shift in δ13CCO2 between the cap rock and the reservoir indicated the presence of the injected CO2 in the sandstone formation. The comparison with samples collected five years earlier in 2012 showed similar concentrations and isotopic depth trends which indicate a rather stagnant CO2 plume at depth and the tightness and integrity of the cap rock and the borehole cementing.

Abstract We present a record 20‐W continuous‐wave output power membrane‐external‐cavity surface‐emitting laser (MECSEL) double‐bonded to silicon carbide (SiC) heat spreaders emitting around 1178 nm. We achieved a maximum slope efficiency of 27.7% and an optical‐to‐optical efficiency of 26.7%. By utilising an intracavity birefringent filtre, the wavelength was tuned over 75 nm and maximum output power of 12.7 W was recorded at 1178 nm. This study shows the potential of MECSELs to achieve high‐performance and cost‐effective optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers targeting applications in sodium guide stars.

Members of the major candidate phylum Dependentiae (a.k.a. TM6) are widespread across diverse environments from showerheads to peat bogs; yet, with the exception of two isolates infecting amoebae, they are only known from metagenomic data. The limited knowledge of their biology indicates that they have a long evolutionary history of parasitism. Here, we present Chromulinavorax destructans (Strain SeV1) the first isolate of this phylum to infect a representative from a widespread and ecologically significant group of heterotrophic flagellates, the microzooplankter Spumella elongata (Strain CCAP 955/1). Chromulinavorax destructans has a reduced 1.2 Mb genome that is so specialized for infection that it shows no evidence of complete metabolic pathways, but encodes an extensive transporter system for importing nutrients and energy in the form of ATP from the host. Its replication causes extensive reorganization and expansion of the mitochondrion, effectively surrounding the pathogen, consistent with its dependency on the host for energy. Nearly half (44%) of the inferred proteins contain signal sequences for secretion, including many without recognizable similarity to proteins of known function, as well as 98 copies of proteins with an ankyrin-repeat domain; ankyrin-repeats are known effectors of host modulation, suggesting the presence of an extensive host-manipulation apparatus. These observations help to cement members of this phylum as widespread and diverse parasites infecting a broad range of eukaryotic microbes.

Mobile and economically priced gas monitoring and warning systems will become increasingly important for civil security, such as in fire brigade operations in undefined hazardous environments (Daum et al., 2006). Normally, photoionization detectors (PIDs) are used for the detection of gases. Hereby, the principle is based upon the ionization of the measured gas by photons, which are generated by a high-energetic gas discharge lamp with energy of 10–11 eV. Besides the detrimental unspecific gas detection because of the ionization of all gases with ionization potential (IP) below the provided photon energy, sensors also have a short lifetime combined with a high cost (http://www.intlsensor.com/pdf/photoionization.pdf). This can be remedied by the concept of an electronic supported photoionization detector (ePID; Zimmer et al., 2012) consisting of a durable UV-LED with an above-positioned electron accelerator chip manufactured on a glass substrate by planar technology. Photoelectrons are extracted by UV illumination out of the bottom electrode and will be accelerated to an energy matching the ionization potential of the gas by a downstream acceleration grid. Thereby, the stable honeycomb-structured grid acts as a porous separator between the evacuated electron acceleration path due to nm scaling and the ionization area of the detector. To enhance the emitting area yielding a higher photoelectron current, the grid structure almost levitates, realized by the use of compatible planar technological processes such as reactive ion etching (RIE) and isotropic wet etching of sacrificial layers, which will be explained in detail in this paper. Furthermore, the tunability of the grid's acceleration voltage would enable a substance-specific determination of the gas composition, where the ionization of the analytes is clearly performed by photoelectrons instead of photons.

Cognitive processes, such as the generation of language, can be mapped onto the brain using fMRI. These maps can in turn be used for decoding the respective processes from the brain activation patterns. Given individual variations in brain anatomy and organization, analyzes on the level of the single person are important to improve our understanding of how cognitive processes correspond to patterns of brain activity. They also allow to advance clinical applications of fMRI, because in the clinical setting making diagnoses for single cases is imperative. In the present study, we used mental imagery tasks to investigate language production, motor functions, visuo-spatial memory, face processing, and resting-state activity in a single person. Analysis methods were based on similarity metrics, including correlations between training and test data, as well as correlations with maps from the NeuroSynth meta-analysis. The goal was to make accurate predictions regarding the cognitive domain (e.g. language) and the specific content (e.g. animal names) of single 30-second blocks. Four teams used the dataset, each blinded regarding the true labels of the test data. Results showed that the similarity metrics allowed to reach the highest degrees of accuracy when predicting the cognitive domain of a block. Overall, 23 of the 25 test blocks could be correctly predicted by three of the four teams. Excluding the unspecific rest condition, up to 10 out of 20 blocks could be successfully decoded regarding their specific content. The study shows how the information contained in a single fMRI session and in each of its single blocks can allow to draw inferences about the cognitive processes an individual engaged in. Simple methods like correlations between blocks of fMRI data can serve as highly reliable approaches for cognitive decoding. We discuss the implications of our results in the context of clinical fMRI applications, with a focus on how decoding can support functional localization.

ABSTRACT Herbicide selectivity in paddy rice varies in several aspects, among which are the environmental conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of herbicide application and total plant submersion on morphological and biochemical changes in paddy rice. Total chlorophyll and carotenoids, catalase activity, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, total phenolic content, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide levels were assessed. Leaf samples were collected 24 hours and 7 days after the application of water regimes. The results observed in the first experiment show that cultivars Puitá INTA CL, IRGA 417 and IRGA 422 CL are more tolerant to total submersion. The most sensitive cultivars are IRGA 424, BRS Querência, EPAGRI 108 and BRS Taim. In general, cultivar Puitá INTA CL had lower oxidative damage than BRS Querência when under submersion. To eliminate excess free radicals, BRS Querência had increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) than Puitá INTA CL under submersion. Formulations with imazethapyr + imazapic and imazapyr + imazapic caused greater reduction in the total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents at 7 days after the establisment of water regimes (DAT). Therefore, the data show that exposing cultivars to total submersion and herbicides increased oxidative stress as well as induced changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes.