Alterations in α4β2 nicotinic receptors in cognitive decline in Alzheimer's aetiopathology.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype α4β2 is considered important in the regulation of attention and memory, and cholinergic degeneration is known as one pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Brain amyloid-β protein deposition is also a key pathological marker of Alzheimer's disease. Recent amyloid-β imaging has shown many cognitively normal subjects with amyloid-β deposits, indicating a missing link between amyloid-β deposition and cognitive decline.

A new method for preventing pulse pileup in scintillation detectors.

A new method for preventing pulse pileup in scintillation detectors is proposed. In the new method (G-INT), the energy of an event is calculated from the 'gated integral' of the pulse signal and the period of integration. The period of integration is not fixed but is shortened by the arrival of the succeeding pulse so as to avoid post-pulse pileup.